Our Proud Dragon Boat Winner - Kerstin Gaensslen

Our sales and leasing advisor, Kerstin Gaensslen, recently took part in the Dragon Boat Races in Discovery Bay and was a proud winner. We spoke to her about the races, her love for the sport, her training schedule, and the pleasures of living in Discovery Bay.

Kerstin, firstly congratulations on your win at the Dragon Boat Races. Did you compete at the races at Stanley or in Discovery Bay where you live?

[ Kerstin] Thanks, the final race is always our home race, and that’s in Discovery Bay. 

For which team did you row? Was this your first tournament with them?

[ Kerstin]  Our team is called LBC (Lantau Boat Club), and I paddled for the Women's- and Mixed Team

The Dragon Boat Season starts in March and normally goes on until the middle of June. During this time, we take part in several races for example in Mui Wo, Lamma Island, Deep Water Bay, and so on... 

How long have you been a rower? What attracted you to the sport?

[ Kerstin]  My first dragon boat outing was in 1997 in Stanley. We were a group of Germans and formed a new team, the ‘Loreley'. Two years later I left Hong Kong, came back in 2012, and moved with my family to Discovery Bay.  

As I like keeping fit and water sports activities especially if it is a big challenge, dragon boating and Outrigger is the best sport for me and of course, being a part of a team, and practice together is just awesome! That's what I love, and I got back to Dragon Boating, here I am, four years later, and still loving it ...... 

....and great to know the ‘Loreley‘ still races every year in Stanley! 

Was this your first win with them?

[ Kerstin]  The first win was in 2012; we were the Champions in the Mixed Team. 

What are the hallmarks of a good dragon boat racing team? Does every member have a significant role to play? 

[ Kerstin]  A good coach and steersman are the preconditions. It's a team sport. The challenge is that 20 people in a boat have the same timing, technique, and power. If a single member of the team doesn't have the right timing, we can lose a few seconds in a race.

 The Dragon Boat Races look very high energy. How much did you practice for the tourney?

[ Kerstin]  Two to three times a week as a team, individual workout three times a week. 

Is there a social aspect to the sport? Have you made many friends through your interaction?

[ Kerstin]  Of course, LBC is an international Team. The team members are from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Belgium, Italy, Netherlands, and Germany. For all of us Hong Kong is not the Mother Country but due to our common sport a kind of camaraderie is created, and friends are made that makes us feel at home!

Kerstin, you are a resident of Discovery Bay, Hong Kong’s famed resort-like destination. What made you move to DB?

[ Kerstin]  Having a family was instrumental to my choice to move to Discovery Bay.

There are a lot of activities for kids, playgrounds, and beaches and it's very easy to meet up with friends. Discovery Bay is extremely safe and has a clean environment. The sports possibilities are amazing, and the Clubs offer fantastic facilities. Nice restaurants and bars are available at the North Plaza and the Ferry pier.

In what way is Discovery Bay different from the rest of Hong Kong?

[ Kerstin]  Discovery Bay is far away from the hectic pace of Hong Kong; it’s a car-free island surrounded by mountains and sea, but still conveniently located. 

How easy is it to commute from Discovery Bay to Central and other parts of Hong Kong? 

[ Kerstin]  Very easy...

By bus, it takes only 15 minutes to Tung Chung or Sunny Bay/ MTR Station. A twenty-five-minute ferry ride makes Central accessible while Mui Wo is reachable by ferry in twenty minutes. You can take the shuttle bus and get to the airport within twenty minutes. Discovery Bay has a Taxi Station at the North Plaza.

Do you see yourself living in Discovery Bay forever?

[ Kerstin]  We would love to live in Discovery Bay for the next few years. Forever?

I don’t think so as we will move back one day to our hometown Hamburg in Germany.

Want to know more about the quality lifestyle in Discovery Bay? Perhaps, you became intrigued by Kerstin’s thoughts about Discovery Bay. Engel & Völkers has many property estate agents ready to consult you. There is a range of residential properties to luxury mansions for sale.  Do get in touch with Kerstin or any member of our experienced team at Engel & Völkers Hong Kong to explore your real estate options for the area.