COA Prize-giving

On Saturday, the 28th of February, in the Regatta Room of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, the Cruiser Owners Association (COA) held its Annual General Meeting and Prize-Giving event.

Formed in August 1950, the COA originally consisted of like-minded sailing enthusiasts who wanted a viable alternative to the competitive racing, pursued by sailors of Hong Kong’s other yacht clubs. Rallies and raft-ups were organized and the association fulfilled its objectives along with trips to Macau and the occasional fun race in Hong Kong waters.

Nowadays, the COA organises continues with its races, rallies and cruises with accompanying dinners and social gatherings. It has become a large, independent organisation which is strictly non-profit but is successful in raising money for charities during its events.

The current COA chairperson is Cynthia Wong, while the vice-chair is newly-elected Simon Cheung. During the meeting on the 28th, a briefing by the COA’s secretary, Lisa, took the attendees through the association’s achievements during the past year. These include:

1. The Hong Kong / Macau Rally
2. Solaris Pasta Cooking Event
3. Around Lamma Island Trophy
4. Charity Pursuit Rally for Sailability HK® (which, incidentally raised HK$22,000)
5. A new mandatory life-jacket policy
6. Discovery Bay Pursuit Rally
7. Clearwater Bay BBQ Rally

Following the briefing, the event moved into prize-giving mode and a whole raft of prizes was presented to winners and participants in the past year’s events. Here is a selection:

Chinese New Year Macau Rally 2026

Around Lamma Island Trophy 2026

Christmas Cup 2025

Discovery Bay Autumn Pursuit Rally 2025

Christmas Cup 2025

Around Lamma Island Trophy 2026

Boat Brand Trophy

COA Award for Highest Performance in 2025

During the prize-giving, a number of special awards were made which included items donated by sponsors. Of great interest was a Remotely Piloted Vehicle (RPV) donated by Diving Space®; one of the sponsors of the COA which definitely attracted the photographers! Other prizes were sponsored by Fragrant Harbour® and Solaris®.