Stanley Fleet News 

Stanley Fleets to play the paradise role for the retired athletes becomes increasingly important. Whenever the squad members retire, especially members of the Hong Kong team, Stanley Fleet is an ideal platform allowing them to continue to participate in windsurfing. The constant injection of the new blood to Stanley Fleet has proved the fleet’s contribution to the sustainable development of the sport. It also lends support to the retired young athletes who are lacking of the support mostly. Stanley Fleet, however, is facing another challenge i.e. it is difficult for the fleet to arrange sufficient equipment to the retired athletes for their continual training and competition.

I still remember when I was coaching the development squad, I often told our athletes jokingly, "We have sufficient talented athletes but lack of equipment.” In fact, I just want to remind them to treasure the support including the equipment allocated and the coaching received by them. Today, Stanley Fleet faces similar situation – talent members without equipment. Now, student players can only be assigned raceboards used for many years. Some are old equipment used by the squad. Some are donated by enthusiastic members. Racers with good performance can only used “beggar” sail full of mending tapes for training and competitions.

Under such poor situation, there are still members continuing to join. It shows the young players' enthusiasm and love for the sport. I have been a squad. I was sheltered by Stanley Fleet after retirement. Besides leaving my leg hairs on the beach, I also left the feeling of speeding on the sea, the friendship of my sailing friends, the friends and the athletes acquainted in my small age these precious memories and experience are all my countless wealth. Today, the position of Stanley Fleet is same as when I joined i.e. to unite the young windsurfing fans and to provide basic support so that they are able to continue to participate in windsurfing.

Now, due to wear and tear of equipment and the increase in the number of fleet members it is very difficult to provide them with the basic support. Therefore, members should take good care of existing equipment. If you are allocated or having the opportunity to purchase used equipment, it can solve your urgent needs. Of course, even facing the lack of equipment difficulties, I believe the members would still make adequate preparations for the forthcoming season. Therefore, in the past two months we have held two Fleet Races allowing members to warm up. I hope that Stanley Fleet can achieve good results this year same as in previous year.

Please note the following monthly fleet race schedule:

5，20 / 5 / 2012 
2，30 / 6 / 2012
7，21 / 7 / 2012
12，19 / 8 / 2012

Chau Ngai Man

10 May 2012