One Bay. One Vision.
Rowing into a New Era in the Greater Bay Area!
AISL Harrow Rowing Regatta Inaugurates with a Spectacular Gathering of Over 500 Rowing Athletes
On 30 November, one of the most anticipated international sports events in the Greater Bay Area this year, the AISL Harrow Rowing Regatta 2024, part of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau series, officially kicked off at the Hengqin Rowing Park. From 30 November to1 December, the event showcased a world-class rowing sport and cultural exchange, with representatives from various sectors of the Greater Bay Area witnessing this unprecedented sporting experience. This was not only the first massive-scale, international rowing event in the Greater Bay Area, gathered over 500 athletes and more than 130 rowing teams, the event it also marked the first collaboration with Guangdong Radio and Television for authoritative live commentary, setting new records in influence.
Guided by the Livelihood Affairs Bureau of Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin and titled-sponsored by Asia International School Limited (AISL), the AISL Harrow Rowing Regatta 2024 aligned with the GBA’s talent development plan and the 14th Five-Year Plan for national sports development in China. The event was co-organised by Harrow LiDe School Hengqin, Vivere Sky Group, and Hengqin Tinmuk Rowing Club, centred around five key objectives: talent development, GBA integration, community engagement, international cooperation, and holistic education. With the countdown to the 15th National Games now at one year, the significance of this event became even more profound.
AISL Harrow Rowing Regatta 2024 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area Series Hengqin Rowing Regatta
Officially Kicked Off in Hengqin, Attracting Over 500 Athletes to Row into a New Era of Rowing.
The opening ceremony of the event officially commenced at 8:30 AM on November 30. Notable attendees included Mr. Su Kun, Deputy Director of the Executive Committee of Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin; Mr Huang Yujie, Director, and Ms Feng Fongtan, Deputy Director of the Livelihood Affairs Bureau of Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Mr Daniel Chiu, Founder, Dr Rosanna Wong, DBE, JP, Chairman, and Dr Ahmed Hussain, Chief Education Officer, of AISL Group, Mr Eric Fok, JP, Standing Committee Member of Guangdong Provincial Committee of CPPCC and Chairman of Vivere Sky Group, Mr Chen Zhipeng, Founder of Tinmuk Rowing Club. Additional distinguished guests included Mr Kenneth Fok, JP, Deputy to the National People’s Congress and Vice Chairman of the All-China Youth Federation, Ms HO Kim Fai, Chairman of Hong Kong China Rowing Association, Ms Linda Chen, Chairman of Wynn Care Foundation, and Ms Gao Jingping, Director of The Public and Youth Committee of the Chinese Rowing Association.
Together, the guests gathered at the Tinmuk River in Hengqin to officiate the gunfire ceremony, signalling the start of the rowing competition.
Representatives from various sectors of the GBA gathered at the Tinmuk River in Hengqin to officiate the gunfire ceremony of the AISL Harrow Rowing Regatta 2024.
Celebrating a Century of Rowing Heritage in the Greater Bay Area: Rowing as a Catalyst for a Vibrant International Exchange Experience
Harrow School has deep ties to the tradition of rowing: in 1829, two Old Harrovians established rowing teams at Oxford and Cambridge, initiating the first Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race and laying the foundation for modern rowing competitions. Upholding this legacy, the Old Harrovians and AISL Harrow Schools have multiple rowing teams. Through this grand event, Harrow brings modern rowing, originating from the UK to the Greater Bay Area. The organiser, AISL Harrow LiDe School Hengqin, serves as a model training base for nurturing rowing talent and promoting holistic development for youth in collaboration with Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau.
Through this event, Harrow brings modern rowing, originated from the UK, to the Greater Bay Area.
The organiser, Harrow LiDe School Hengqin, serves as a model for nurturing rowing talent in collaboration with Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau, promoting holistic development for youth in the region.
This event spanned different age groups (youth, university, and masters categories), including top rowing athletes as well as amateur enthusiasts, creating an international sports exchange extravaganza. Participants from 41 renowned schools, and organisations from the Greater Bay Area, Shanghai, Beijing, and overseas fueled the rowing passion — including Yale University, Clare Hall Boat Club from the University of Cambridge, leading domestic universities, the Old Harrovians Boat Club, and rowing teams from Harrow LiDe Schools in Hengqin, Shanghai, Beijing, and Nanning for competition and exchange.
On the afternoon of November 30, spectators witnessed the highly anticipated men’s eight sweep race in the university category, featuring a thrilling showdown between the century-old rowing teams of Clare Hall Boat Club and Yale University on the Tinmuk River, showcasing intense rhythm and precise teamwork. This event was not only a sporting competition but also a vivid demonstration of fellowship and courage under the ethos of holistic education.
Audiences experienced the top-tier standard of rowing and the charm of the sport through the intense competition,
the awards ceremony, and the interactive activities in the venue.
Hengqin as a Base, Radiating Across the Greater Bay Area: Join Hands to Nurture the Future Leaders of the World
As the representative of the advisory unit, Mr. Huang Yujie, the Director of Livelihood Affairs Bureau of Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin remarked, ‘Rowing has become a distinctive sports and education brand unique to Hengqin. I am very pleased to see AISL Harrow School, Tinmuk Rowing Club, and Vivere Sky Group working together to host this competition, promoting the integrated development of sports in the Greater Bay Area. I believe that through the collaborative efforts of all parties, the international influence of the rowing event will continue to grow, becoming a new emblem of sports in the Greater Bay Area in the future.’
Dr Rosanna Wong, Chairman of AISL and representative of the title sponsor, emphasised: ‘Rowing is a classic example of Harrow’s holistic education. We are delighted to use rowing as a bridge to bring a world-class sports experience to the Greater Bay Area in partnership with various sectors. This is just the beginning; we firmly believe that in the future, we will work together with all parties to continuously promote the thriving development of rowing and holistic education in the Greater Bay Area.’
Mr Eric Fok, JP, Standing Committee Member of Guangdong Provincial Committee of CPPCC and Chairman of Vivere Sky Group added: ‘The Greater Bay Area boasts unique geographical advantages and rich talent resources, making it an ideal place for the development of water sports. We hope that through the AISL Harrow Rowing Regatta 2024, we can promote the development of water sports in the Greater Bay Area and showcase its immense potential as an international hub for water sports.’
The Interactive Experience Zone: A Must-Visit Hotspot
Engaging World-Class Athletes and Sparking a Nationwide Rowing Craze
On the first day of the competition, the intense short-distance races drew significant attention and transformed the riverside interactive experience zone into a new must-visit hotspot in the Greater Bay Area. It quickly went viral on social media platforms like Xiaohongshu, WeChat Moments, and Weibo, making ‘rowing’ one of the trending topics in the region and capturing the interest of young people.
Multiple short-distance finals in the youth category and grand long-distance rowing races in the university category took place over the weekend. The public was invited to visit Hengqin Rowing Park to watch the competitions, engage in firsthand rowing experiences, enjoy camping and sports experience provided by Decathlon, and have fun in the trampoline zone. Attendees had the chance to feel the excitement of ‘braving the waves’ like rowing athletes while exploring exhilarating sensations, including golf, archery, and frisbee, resulting in a truly ‘fun-filled’ weekend.
The interactive experience zone at the event became a must-visit hotspot in the Greater Bay Area, with ‘rowing’ quickly rising to prominence as a trending online topic and capturing the interest of countless enthusiasts
As an unprecedented event open to the public, with participation from various sectors across the Greater Bay Area, this competition received massive support from numerous organisations and brands, including the Hong Kong China Rowing Association, Wynn Care Foundation (which sponsored accommodation for Clare College Boat Club and Yale University Rowing Team), Hengqin Novotown, Friends of Harrow (Parents’ Association of Harrow LiDe School Hengqin), AISL Outdoor, AISL Academy, Decathlon, War Horse, and Four Seas Group. Together, the parties harnessed the unique advantages of rowing to empower the holistic development of youth, working collectively towards the vision of the event: One Bay. One Vision. Rowing to Greatness.
Visit the official competition website at www.aislharrow.com/rowing-regatta/zh or follow the WeChat accounts ‘AISL Harrow’ and ‘Harrow LiDe Hengqin’ for the latest updates on the event
About Asia International School Limited (AISL)
Asia International School Limited (AISL) is a leading provider of education services in Asia. It is the operator of AISL Harrow International Schools, AISL Harrow LiDe Schools, AISL Harrow Hong Kong Children School, and AISL Harrow Little Lions Early Years Centres, which proudly draw on the 450-year heritage of Harrow School in the UK, embracing the Harrow School Values. We are committed to the highest standards and quality of education for all students, delivering Educational Excellence for Life and Leadership. The AISL Harrow Schools use Harrow School’s name and badge under a sub-license granted by Harrow International Schools Limited (HISL), a trading subsidiary of the charity registered in England, which owns Harrow School and its trademark.
AISL also believes in investing in how educators learn so that they may better teach and nurture their students to their highest capabilities. We believe in sharing best practices and we believe that young people should be given opportunities outside the classroom as they augment their intellectual abilities to be ably prepared for the future.
About Tinmuk Rowing Club
The Hengqin Tinmuk Rowing Club was established in 2019 and hosted the inaugural Hengqin Tinmuk River Rowing Regatta, marking the beginning of rowing competition in Hengqin. In 2022, with the club’s active promotion, the first rowing-themed sports park in China, Hengqin Rowing Park, was opened. The club operates the Tinmuk Rowing Centre, providing training support for youth rowing programs in Hengqin, the University of Macau, and the Macau University of Science and Technology.
About Vivere Sky Group
Founded in HK in 2017. With unparalleled resources, powerful bulwark, and privileged background, Vivere Sky Group strives to become the frontrunner of sports and culture in the Greater Bay Area in the following business segments: Event Management, Training & Education, Sports Technology, Branding, and Space Management. The group aims at taking forward integrated development of sports and culture, enhancing social influence of sports and cultural industry and better integrating into the National Development, so as to create a better living environment for the next generation.
