SKATE ASIA
Be sure to catch, Skate Asia 2023, the world’s largest recreational skating competition, at DB Ice Rink from August 7 to 15. Sanctioned by Ice Skating Institute Asia (ISIAsia), the event is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see over 1,400 figure skaters from across the region perform. Participating countries include China, Hong Kong, Macau, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. To find out more, visit www.visitdiscoverybay.com.
WELLNESS AUGUST
DBSML is encouraging us to make self-care priority this month through a specially themed programme of events. Wellness August comprises three healing workshops:Forest Bathing with Shinrin Yoku HK founder Amanda Yik at DB Lookout Point on August 4; Breathwork and Self-optimising with Primal Breathwork founder Brian Lai at DB Office Centre on August 12; Mindfulness Meditation with Mindful Ocean founder Karson Wong at Community Green Square on August 19. Enrolment is on a first-come-first-served basis at https://rb.gy/u3cu9.
TEKKERZ AND MINI-TEKKERZ FOOTBALL TRAINING
Budding footballers can sign up for Tekkerz training, right here in DB, starting from just two years of age. Tekkerz’s multi-level curriculum is designed to develop players’ technical skills and overall game play using a “maximum touch” approach. Head Coach Barry Brown, a 13-year DB resident, describes the concept as unique to Hong Kong: “Tekkerz is based on English professional youth programmes. We aim to get even the youngest kids 300 to 500 touches during the first 10 to 15 minutes of each class to grow their confidence with the ball.”
Tekkerz’s unique Player Development Platform (PDP) provides students with 12 levels and 180 skills to work on. “The PDP gives visual, verbal and slow-motion demonstrations to ensure that the kids practise their skills effectively,” Barry explains. “We encourage children to practise at home with their PDP, so they’re not limited to only playing football during training sessions. The PDP is offered free to anyone signing up for the programme – we have even had players who have left Hong Kong send us videos of themselves practicing their skills from the platform. No other club offers anything like this.”
Classes are designed to be fun and confidence-boosting, with the Under 3s and 4s mainly working on balance, spatial awareness and the fundamentals of movement. “With the Under 5s to Under 9s, coaches tend to focus on individual development and ball mastery exercises rather than team play,” Barry says. “This provides an amazing foundation for those who want to continue training with us as they get older.” Progressive Sports Asia holds Tekkerz training sessions at Discovery College, Discovery Bay International School and DB North Plaza pitch from Monday to Saturday, for kids aged two to 13 years. To know more, visit prosportsasia.com. [PHOTO COURTESY OF Tekkerz.]
DBFC VETS’ DOUBLE WHAMMY
DBFC Vets won the HK Legends League title on May 15, and followed up on June 26 by winning the HK Legends League Cup with a close 1-0 victory over Spartans Masters. This completes “the double” for DBFC Vets, capping a very successful 2022/ 23 season. DBFC Vets is sponsored by Tanner de Witt. For more on the team, visit www.discoverybayfc.com. [PHOTO COURTESY OF Gary Rollinson.]
RICHARD CROSBIE’S DB FOCUS
Local artist Richard Crosbie has been creating quite a buzz this year, showing everywhere from the Affordable Art Fair to Clockenflap. The 21-year DB resident focuses on Hong Kong themes, scenes and subjects, with many of his paintings highlighting the beauty of DB and wider Lantau. Richard’s work encompasses both “urban sketching” and “en plein air” painting created on location, as well as highly detailed pieces created in his studio. To view his high-quality, affordable art prints, visit Instagram @richardcrosbie_art. [PHOTO BY Beatrix Malan www.atscollective.com.]
DEBORAH AND FRIENDS PERFORMING LIVE
Singer/ songwriter Deborah Mannas returns to the Hong Kong Jockey Club Hall, Asia Society Hong Kong Center on August 18 with Deborah and Friends. You can expect a generous mix of well-loved jazz standards and inspirational originals from the long-time Tung Chung resident. Deborah is joined by guest vocalist Arvin Robles, plus Bhoyet Samonte on keys, Jon Benard on drums and backing vocals, Vinc Chan on bass, Daphne Villanueva on flute and Jojo Antinero on sax and backing vocals.
ELITE LANTAU PADDLERS
Four Lantau-based paddlers are heading to Samoa to compete in the International Va’a Federation World Distance Championships, August 14 to 19. Adrienne Ng Founder of Treasure Island Group and Assistant Coach of South Lantau Paddling Club (SLPC) and Polly Snaith of Lantau Boat Club (LBC) have both been selected for the Cathay-sponsored Women’s Masters 50 OC6 Team of Hong Kong 2023. Two other Lantauers – both DB residents and key members of LBC – will represent their respective home countries in the Women’s and Men’s Masters 50 OC6 categories. They have elected not to be named. To find out more, visit www.lantauboatclub.com and Facebook @southlantaupaddleclub. [PHOTO BY Mihaela Tudor www.mihaelatudor.com.]
TEACHER TRAINING AT HK YOGA
Maxim Gagarin at DB North-based HK Yoga and Wellness Centre is providing daily yoga classes through out August and also hosting an intensive 500-hour Yoga Teacher Training Course, which starts on August 31. The course is accredited by Yoga Alliance USA, and upon successful completion, participants are awarded the RYT 500 Yoga Instructor Certificate. To find out more, call 6113 6770. [PHOTO COURTESY OF Maxim Gagarin.]
