Carbon Neutral Escort Boats in The Clean Half

Hong Kong will host The Clean Half, Asia’s only marathon swimming relay event today. 22 five-person teams and 4 solo swimmers will start from Stanley Main Beach and head 15K to Deepwater Bay.

Modeled after the Maui Channel Swim, The Clean Half offers some of the most stunning views of Hong Kong Island.


Race director Douglas Woodring offers a unique "carbon neutral" option for the relay teams. Two teams will not travel by motorized escort boat, but will instead paddle a 6-person outrigger canoe along the entire course while swimming at the same time. As the first outrigger + swimming relay race in the world, Woodring is to be celebrated for bringing his creative entrepreneurial talents to the sport of open water swimming.

Large swells are expected outside of Stanley to Round Island with scenery that is reminiscent of Hawaii. Some of the proceeds from the event will be donated to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) for their Save Our Seas Campaign.

The Clean Half race results to follow.