Some 4,000 swimmers braved Hong Kong’s iconic Victoria Harbour on Saturday morning, November 22, 2025, for the annual Victoria Harbour Race. Organized by the Hong Kong China Swimming Association, the approximately one-kilometer open-water event began at the Golden Bauhinia Square Public Pier in Wan Chai and culminated across the strait at the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui. The event drew significant attention this year with the debut of celebrated Hong Kong swimmer Siobhan Bernadette Haughey, who placed an impressive second in the women’s division.
Haughey Navigates Open Water’s Unpredictability
Fresh off a successful performance at the National Games, where she secured two gold and two bronze medals, Haughey utilized her time in Hong Kong to participate in the challenging local race alongside her coach and teammates. While known for her prowess in the controlled environments of competitive pools, the open-water swim presented a markedly different set of obstacles, as the athlete described.
“In open water, you lose the predictability of the pool,” Haughey explained after the race. “Visibility is limited, there is no bottom to sight on, and maintaining a straight course is extremely demanding.”
Unlike pool races where temperature, currents, and turns are regulated, open-water swimming introduces numerous variables. Haughey noted that she relied heavily on instinct and feel to gauge her direction due to the constant fluctuations. While Hong Kong’s signature skyscrapers offered occasional visual cues, she found the distance deceptive, sometimes feeling halfway through the course only to realize the finish line was still remote. Despite the initial slight chill, Haughey found the water temperature during the swim comfortable, warming up considerably by the time she exited the water.
Open Water Requires Different Approach to Strategy
Haughey entered the race without specific training or a meticulous race strategy, viewing it primarily as a personal challenge and an enjoyable experience. Her goal was a top-five finish, a feat she handily surpassed by securing the runner-up spot. The experience underscored the crucial difference between competitive pool swimming and its open-water counterpart.
The Athlete’s Perspective on Open Water Challenge:
- Limited Visibility: The inability to clearly see the bottom or surroundings.
- Directional Challenge: Difficulty maintaining a straight line without lane markers.
- Variable Conditions: Unpredictable water temperature, currents, and choppy water.
- Reliance on Feel: Higher dependence on immediate physical sensation rather than visual cues for pacing and direction.
Haughey indicated that if her subsequent competition commitments allow, she would consider returning to the prestigious harbour race. She also expressed a desire to inspire more female friends to participate in the event in the future.
The Victoria Harbour Race remains one of Hong Kong’s most unique and demanding annual sporting fixtures, symbolizing the city’s vibrant spirit and strong connection to its waterfront. Haughey’s participation brings crucial visibility to open-water swimming. Following her successful harbour debut, the Olympic medalist is scheduled to compete in Tokyo next week and in Switzerland in December before taking a well-deserved break over the Christmas holiday period.