Solidarity through Sport
Partnering with the Hong Kong Rowing Association
A new friendship has grown out of a challenging situation. Over the recent Spring Break, Shawnigan Lake School was delighted to welcome an elite group of rowers from Hong Kong. These athletes are typically based out of the Hong Kong Sports Institute in Shatin, Hong Kong, but made the decision to move their training to Europe at the end of February. As the situation in Europe evolved, the team began to look for a safe alternate training location, and were connected to our School.
With the support of Shawnigan rowing coaches John Bomans and Darryl de Leeuw, the team was able to familiarize themselves with our facilities and continue in their training. The rowers took advantage of our mild spring weather and spent many hours on beautiful Shawnigan Lake, as well as on our ergs (rowing machines) and other training facilities.
“When we arrived at Shawnigan, the athletes were nervous and unsettled, but everyone at the school, and in the local community, welcomed them with kindness and great hospitality,” shares Chris Perry, High-Performance Director of the Hong Kong Rowing Association and Head Coach of the Hong Kong Sports Institute. “The team was able to settle in quickly and achieve some of the best training we have had all year.”
“When circumstances around the world improve, we would hope that opportunities for further exchanges between your rowing teams and our youth rowing programs may be possible,” furthered Perry. “We would love the opportunity to welcome Shawnigan students to Hong Kong!”
The team was able to return to Hong Kong at the end of March. Despite the tough circumstances that led them to Shawnigan, we are happy to have made this new connection! It was our pleasure to host the team and we look forward to continuing in this relationship.
With the support of Shawnigan rowing coaches John Bomans and Darryl de Leeuw, the team was able to familiarize themselves with our facilities and continue in their training. The rowers took advantage of our mild spring weather and spent many hours on beautiful Shawnigan Lake, as well as on our ergs (rowing machines) and other training facilities.
“When we arrived at Shawnigan, the athletes were nervous and unsettled, but everyone at the school, and in the local community, welcomed them with kindness and great hospitality,” shares Chris Perry, High-Performance Director of the Hong Kong Rowing Association and Head Coach of the Hong Kong Sports Institute. “The team was able to settle in quickly and achieve some of the best training we have had all year.”
“When circumstances around the world improve, we would hope that opportunities for further exchanges between your rowing teams and our youth rowing programs may be possible,” furthered Perry. “We would love the opportunity to welcome Shawnigan students to Hong Kong!”
The team was able to return to Hong Kong at the end of March. Despite the tough circumstances that led them to Shawnigan, we are happy to have made this new connection! It was our pleasure to host the team and we look forward to continuing in this relationship.
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful West Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
