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Header image courtesy of Hong Kong Surf & Stand-Up Paddleboard Association (HKSURFSUP)
Boardsports—the Californian Dream? Not necessarily. We may be 7,060 miles from the Golden State, but the dream can still be yours right here in the 852. And thank goodness, because there are few things more satisfying than getting out on the water on a sweltering day.
From wakeboarding to surfing and everything in between, you’re sure to find something that floats your boat (or board). Crash courses, hourly rentals, competitions—Hong Kong really does have it all. So whether you’re new to the game or a well-weathered sea dog, let’s hit the water with our guide to boardsports in Hong Kong.
Hailing from 1960s Hawaii, stand-up paddleboarding is quite the popular kid of boardsports in Hong Kong at the minute. Whether you’re looking to paddle with your pals, enter a race, or practice your downward-facing dog atop the waves, there’s plenty of fun to be had.
Hiwindlover Water Sports Center
Where: Stanley Main Beach
How much: $80 per hour or $200 for three-hour rental; $800 per three-hour tuition or tour
Where: Stanley Main Beach
How much: $80 per hour or $350 per day for rental; $450 to $650 per person for group tuition; $1,100 per class for private tuition
Where: Stanley Main Beach
How much: $500 per 90-minute group session (includes board rental); $450 per person for private tuition
Where: Big Wave Bay
How much: $500 per person for group tuition; $800 per class for private tuition
Where: Pui O Beach, Lantau
How much: $70 per hour or $150 per half-day for rental; $200 to $400 per hour for instruction course
Tip: Rentals are a cash-only affair so make sure you withdraw your dollars before heading to the shore.
Where: Lower Cheung Sha Beach, Lantau
How much: $90 per hour for rental, $270 for four hours, and $70 per hour after
Cheung Chau Windsurfing Centre
Where: 1 Hak Pai Road, Cheung Chau
How much: $120 per hour for rental
Tip: All rentals require a $500 cash deposit.
Hong Kong Surf & Stand-Up Paddleboard Association (HKSURFSUP)
Where: G/F, 60 Sun On Tsuen, Sai Kung
How much: $500 to $1,400 per lesson
With an ever-increasing number of surfing clubs, societies, and schools popping up along the coastline, there’s never been a better time to catch a wave in the 852. Already a pro at riding the rip curl? Join the Surf Hong Kong Facebook group to meet fellow surfers, and stay up to date with all the latest local tips. Of course, adults can’t have all the fun—Hong Kong’s junior surfers are coming into their element too, with summer surf camps experiencing a surge in popularity. Keep an eye out in spring when details of these much sought-after sessions are released.
As for where to catch your next wave, here’s what the experts say:
Antony, founder of Surfing Hong Kong, says, “Tai Long Wan in Sai Kung at 6 am on a November morning with blue skies, crisp off-shore winds, and 4-foot waves rolling through. Just me, my wife, kids, and a couple of friends... it is truly beautiful, surrounded by hills, white sand, clear water. Amazing to have such a place in a city like Hong Kong.”
The Treasure Island team says, “Our home break, of course: Pui O when it’s firing. When we have time we like to get out to Big Wave Bay in Shek O or make a weekend of it in Tai Long Wan in Sai Kung—definitely the best spot in Hong Kong. And when it’s time for a holiday, southern Taiwan is just awesome.”
The LCS team says, “We like surfing in Sha Cheung and Pui O because the southwesterly wave direction is great, and is there through spring, summer, and autumn. If the east wind picks up the waves are good too—that’s why we spend all our time in Lantau.”
As you walk into Big Wave Bay, you’ll come across several shops and restaurants that rent out surf and bodyboards by the hour at about $50 per board with a $100 deposit required. Carry on down with your board and enjoy the surf.
Where: Big Wave Bay
How much: $800 per one-hour one-on-one session; $1,000 for a two-hour private session
Where: Big Wave Bay
How much: $500 per person for group tuition; $800 per person for private tuition
Where: Shop G32–33, Winner Mansion, 17–23 Nam On Street, Shau Kei Wan
How much: Contact East Swell
Where: Pui O Beach, Lantau
How much: $70 per hour or $150 per day for rental; Group tuition, $400 per hour for group tuition (up to four people)
Tip: Head to Maverick’s for a post-surf dinner—you could even make a weekend of it and rent one of two Treasure Island hotel rooms.
Where: Lower Cheung Sha Beach, Lantau
How much: $300 per hour for group tuition; $350 per hour for private tuition
Where: Tai Long Wan, Sai Kung East Country Park
How much: Contact Surf Hong Kong
Looking for a horizontal thrill? Well, look no further. Also known as boogie-boarding, bodyboarding provides all the fun of riding the waves without the risk of losing your footing. Arguably the most accessible boardsport for kids, it’s also a great way to get the family up and active on the weekends.
Where: Lower Cheung Sha Beach, Lantau
How much: $40 per hour; $130 for four hours and $30 per hour after
Can’t decide between sailing and surfing? Stop fretting, you don’t have to choose—windsurfing combines the two. With an Olympic gold medalist to call our own, Lee Lai-shan, Hong Kong is the place to learn the ropes—there’s something in the water, clearly.
Hiwindlover Water Sport Centre
Where: Stanley Main Beach
How much: $150 per hour for rental; $800 per three hours for beginner course; $1,600 per day for elite course
Tip: Take a friend—bookings require a minimum of two people.
Where: Stanley Main Beach
How much: $180 to $250 per hour or $700 to $800 per day for rental; $700 to $1,100 per two-hour class for group tuition; $800 per hour for private tuition
Cheung Chau Windsurfing Centre
Where: 1 Hak Pai Road, Cheung Chau
How much: $90 to $150 per hour for rental; $1,000 for 20-hour rental package; $1,800 per hour for group tuition; $500 to $2,500 per hour for private tuition
Tip: All rentals require a $500 cash deposit.
Where: Lower Cheung Sha Beach, Lantau
How much: $400 to $700 per person for group tuition; $800 per person for private tuition
Throw caution to the wind and get a kite involved in the action. An up-and-coming past time in Hong Kong, kiteboarding lessons and rentals are located on the Outlying Islands. However, with skills to be mastered and tricks to be tried, we have a feeling this could be the next big thing. Watch this space...
Where: Shui Hau Wan Beach, Lantau
How much: $700 for three-hour rental; $1,000 for six-hour rental; $3,500 for eight-hour full course; $1,500 per three hours for improvement course (includes all equipment)
Tip: Tuition is available in both English and Cantonese.
Kiteboarding Association of Hong Kong
Where: Shui Hau Wan Beach, Lantau (September to March)
How much: $600 to $2,000 per day for tuition; $4,500 for a three-day beginner package
Tip: From March to August, training relocates to Lung Kwu Tan Beach, near Tuen Mun.
Where: Lower Cheung Sha Beach, Lantau
How much: $1,500 to $3,800 per person for tuition
Where: Lamma Island, Lantau Island, or Tuen Mun
How much: $4,500 per eight-hour course for private tuition
Who said deep water is the only option? Skimboarding is the king of coastal boardsports, with all the action taking place at the point where the wave hits the shore. Perhaps best described as the love child of surfing and skateboarding, this shallow water sport involves mastering tricks and flips—once you’ve got to grips with the basics of course.
Where: Big Wave Bay
How much: $300 per person for group tuition; $400 per 90 minutes for private tuition
Where: Lower Cheung Sha Beach, Lantau
How much: $300 to $350 per person for tuition
Where: Sai Kung East Country Park, Sai Wan
How much: Rental $50 per hour, $100 per three hours, or $200 per day
Tip: The beach is only accessible by foot—but don’t worry, you don’t have to lug your boards with you—you both rent and collect them when you’re at the beach.
Feel the need for speed? Give wakeboarding a whirl. With your feet attached to a short, wide board, and a handle hooked onto the boat in front of you, balancing is the first thing you need to master. After that, the sky’s the limit with increasingly difficult acrobatic moves waiting to be conquered. From flips and rolls to ‘whirlybirds’ and ‘speedballs’—just wake us up before you go-go.
Where: Stanley Main Beach
How much: $900 per hour for rental; $1,200 to $1,500 per hour for group tuition (three to four people)
Tip: Minimum two-hour booking and rentals require booking two days in advance.
Where: Stanley
How much: $500 per person for group tuition; $1,200 per class for private tuition
Sophie is always on the lookout for a great story and her next big adventure and loves nothing more than discovering the city’s hidden gems—and most delicious cocktails. When she’s not exploring new places, she’s off travelling and ticking countries off her bucket list.
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