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Plowing the Shing Mun
Mental and physical training in rowing
The
Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s rowing team pracitces on Shing
Mun River every Saturday afternoon. (Ma Ka Wa)
By Ma Ka Wa
At 2 p.m. on Saturday, there were eight sporty young girls carrying a boat on their shoulders and bustling on a tiny wooden dock near the Shing Mun Rowing Center.
“One, two, three!” the captain counted aloud.
The girls then neatly placed the boat on the river.
In order better to prepare for the Hong Kong Universities Rowing Championships 2003, the rowing team of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University has a very tight training schedule.
They practice on the Shing Mun River for 3 hours every Saturday, followed by physical training in a gymnasium.
Andrew Li Ho Yin, 22, is the head coach of the Youth Development Program and the rowing team of The Hong Kong Institute of Education.
He said that female members account for about 40 percent of the total rowing population.
Besides, he commented that rowing is getting more popular in Hong Kong.
Mr. Li said, “Rowing is an energy-consuming sport.
“It is especially unacceptable for young women to endure the dirty river water during rowing.
“However, women tend to be more patient and have good memories. These are their advantages.”
To be a good female rower, he said, a woman has tobe tall and have a strong body and good rowing techniques.
“To be a professional, it takes two to three years’ training,” added Mr. Li.
Emily Ng is the sports officer of the Hong Kong-China Rowing Association.
She is responsible for club applications, memberships and management.
Said Ms. Ng: “There are about 590 active members in our club, and two-fifths of them are females.
“Besides, our club has a total of 20 subsidiaries, including the seven universities in Hong Kong.”
At The Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Rowing Team has 10 female newcomers this year.
The training for female members is different from that of male members.
Male members are more attuned to techniques and physical fitness, while female members stress strong willpower and determination.
There are two kinds of training: land training and water training.
Land training means indoor rowing in gymnasiums and physical training. Water training means techniques from teaching and informal rowing competitions.
Quintina Leung Ching Man is the instructor and external vice president of the team.
She said that male members have a harsher training program.
“Besides, the goal for females in rowing is psychologically different from males.
“Males are more aggressive.
“However, females are seeking happiness and gratification from the activity,” she said.
Amy Tung Ching, the president of the team, said that she has gained friendships on the team.
In order to be more devoted to the team, she chose to be an instructor, acting as a coordinator between the newcomers and the coach.
“If you do not try, you will never know how far you can get,” she said.
This is also the spirit of her rowing team.
Rita Lai, a trainee on the team, grasped the chance to try rowing because the sport is new and special to her.
Ms. Lai joined the club with two friends, but they soon lost interest and withdrew due to the hardship of the training.
Nevertheless, she likes being on the team.
She has been physically trained up and does not to relinquish easily, so she understands the “no pain, no gain” theory.
“There is no instant success,” she said.
While some girls might hesitate to try rowing because of the consequences of having tanned skin and muscular body, she does not care at all.
At the beginning of the first semester in 2003, the rowing team of the City University of Hong Kong enrolled about 10 female members.
Now, only six are left.
Difficult time management and an exhaustive training program are two common reasons for members to quit.
Wincy Cheng Wing Sze is one of the remaining members of the team.
Said she: “I am proud of being a rower, though I’m frustrated sometimes about the slow improvement in my rowing techniques.”
Winnie
Cheung Wing Yi, a teammate, showed her bruised hands.
“You know, these are very normal.
“I am getting stronger and muscular after joining rowing.
“However, I don’t think it’s unsuitable for females,” she said.
Ms. Ng also expressed her joy about rowing, but it is difficult for her to explain her indulgence in rowing.
“Once you have tried it, you will love it,” she said.