About COA
Originally established in August 1950 as the `Cruising Section’ of the RHKYC, the Cruiser Owners Association is now one of the largest independent, non-profit making, sailing organisations in Asia, which represents the interests of sailors in Hong Kong. The COA organizes races, cruises and other sailing related activities, providing support services and promoting sailing throughout the region.
COA Council Members 2024
Chairperson
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Cynthia Wong
Vice Chairperson
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Fred Lung
Treasurer
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Ming Lee
Secretary
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Frank Chu
Council Members
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Otto Chan
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Rex Au Yeung
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Simon Cheung
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Yvonne Lui
Advisors
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Malcolm Brocklebank
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Walder Ip
Club Representatives
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HHYC
Aaron Goach
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RHKYC
Andrew Chan
Our History
The first recorded Cruiser Race in Hong Kong was in October 1849 under the auspices of the Victoria Regatta Club. But probably the longest link in yacht racing in Hong Kong, is the Macau Race, one of the first ‘international’ yacht races to be organised in Asia. Initially, a ‘there and back’ non-stop race on Boxing Day, but after the war (probably 1947) the Macau Race was organized over the Chinese New Year holiday, being suspended during the emergence of the People’s Republic of China.
By the late 1960’s (probably 1967) the Cruiser Section became the Cruiser Owners Association and acted simply to encourage competitive sailing for the cruisers around at the time. For the COA, the Macau Race, soon became its most popular event (with more than 60 boats entering during the late 90’s) and “doing the Macau Race” has been a part of the sailing life for more than two generations of sailors in Hong Kong – with our 70th Anniversary Macau Race to come in the year 2017.
The Macau Races make up the leading COA Series and are part of the annual COA Championship Series, which also includes a selection of the other races organized by the four major yacht clubs in Hong Kong.