Ng Tsuen-man

Son of a Sai Kung fisherman, the inspirational Mr Ng has twice represented Hong Kong at the Olympics. Now 62, he’s encouraging others in his two favourite sports: dragon boating and canoeing. By Adele Rosi.

Tell us about the Olympics.
I represented Hong Kong in canoeing at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, Canada, and in 1984 at Los Angeles, USA. It was fantastic! I had such a good time, meeting and competing against the world’s top athletes and seeing what the standards were like in the rest of the world. I made a lot of friends and at the opening and closing processions, I swapped my official national badges with those from other countries. I have about 40 or 50, which I still treasure. When I returned home, I received a “hero’s welcome”.

You are incredibly fit and healthy, what’s your secret?
I exercise seven days a week, training in different sports – but always having fun. I have trained at a competitive level since I was 16. The best part is the excitement I get from racing at top levels. The worst part? At my peak, there was almost no government support for athletes. I was my own trainer; I paid for my own training equipment – the government only paid for my ticket [to international events] and hotel. I was in the most elite group of athletes but we only received mental not financial support.

Tell us about your relationship with Sai Kung/Clearwater Bay.
I was born in Sai Kung. I am the son of a fisherman and lived on a fishing boat until I was 18. Sai Kung is where I have worked for more than 30 years, where I have trained and raced, where I have my family, and where I have spent all my life. What is your favourite thing to do? Watersports - especially dragon boating and canoeing. I like to go on overnight canoe camps, canoeing different routes and to various islands, many of which are now in the Geo Park.

What local issues are you passionate about?
Maintaining the beautiful environment, the fresh air, the clean waters and those islands. They are a gift and we should protect them.

Anything you would change locally?
That the youth in Sai Kung take part in more outdoor activities instead of watching TV and playing video games.

Coolest thing you ever found on the beach?
Sai Kung mineral water – from a small natural spring.

Favourite hike?
Around Tai Long Wan.

Your latest projects?
I have been training dragon-boat teams for races in and outside Hong Kong. I got the Blue Sky Sports Club teams ready for the Sai Kung races - the women’s team won, and the mixed team came third - and now I’m preparing for the international races in Victoria Harbour on July 23-25. Blue Sky’s men’s team has been picked to represent Sai Kung in the 18 Districts Race, so we are working extra hard. From July 29 to August 1, I go to Macau to race against some of the world’s finest in the Club Crew World Dragon Boat Championship: my team, My Canoe Club, was the best in Hong Kong over 200 metres.

Anything else? I recently discovered another watersport, the Stand Up Paddle Board, a form of surfboard. It is great fun. I will soon start a club to get people to train together – it’s a great work out.