In the past several weeks, two of Hong Kong’s long-standing open water swimming records have fallen, and organisers of these testing events believe it could be just the beginning.
With challenging currents, swirling seas and dramatic backdrops, the city has always been a draw for the adventurous, and one swimmer thinks it could soon become a destination attracting athletes from around the world.
Last week, Waris Mills completed the 45-kilometre swim around Hong Kong Island in 10 hours, 35 minutes and 58 seconds – the fastest time recorded for the route.
The British-South African became the ninth person in the world to complete the circumnavigation, smashing both the previous overall record of 10:43.06 set by former Hong Kong team member Alex Fong Lik-sun in 2019 and the women’s record of 12:37.43 swum by American Edie Hu in 2018.
“My swim was definitely a journey,” Waris said. “This swim was about facing my fears and learning to love and really believe in myself.”
Hu has a similar love for the ocean, and said that once she had experienced it, “you find that swimming in the pool is just so boring”.
