ENG-1966 — Page 300

17

Recreation

ONE of the most striking and, to some extent, unexpected aspects of Hong Kong is the variety of recreational activities pursued by its predominantly urban populace. Despite the characteristic zeal and industry they devote to their labours, Hong Kong people are by no means obsessed, to the exclusion of all other occupations, with the serious business of making a living. Improved living standards, achieved through sheer hard work and enterprise, are today affording them a growing amount of leisure time, and their imagination is extending far beyond the familiar mahjong table to discover new ways and means of exploiting this leisure to the full. They are seeking, with enthusiasm, to develop both their bodies and their minds through an ever widening range of interests, both in the sporting and in the cultural fields. As a result of this diversity of recreational expression, one can find in Hong Kong the facilities to indulge almost any form of hobby, sport or pastime, from flower arrangement to the less gentle art of self-defence. Indoor bowls, one form of sport introduced to the general public for the first time this year, is enjoying a meteoric rise in popularity.

Two of the most widely practised activities are swimming and walking, which also account for the two biggest sporting events of the year. Of the 470 swimmers who took part in the 54th an- nual cross-harbour race this year, 435 obtained the certificate of merit for swimming the distance of 1,550 yards, from Kowloon Public Pier to Queen's Pier on Hong Kong Island, within one hour. Sixteen-year-old Andrew Loh won the race for the second successive year, with a record time of 18 minutes 34.3 seconds. Also a record was the time of 22 minutes 00.1 seconds returned by 15-year-old Miss Katherine Tan, winner of the women's section for the third successive year. The 40-mile 'walkathon' around Hong Kong Island, organized by a local newspaper group, was won by Mr Lee Chi- shing, with Miss Wong Shuk-ming leading the women's section. A total of 346 men and 11 women competed.

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