About COA
Originally established in August 1950 as the Cruising Section of the RHKYC, the Cruiser Owners Association (COA) has grown to become one of the largest independent, non-profit sailing organisations in Asia, representing the interests of sailors in Hong Kong.
The COA organises races, cruises, and a wide range of sailing-related activities, while also providing support services and actively promoting the sport of sailing throughout the region.
COA Council Members 2026
Chairperson
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Cynthia Wong
Vice Chairperson
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Simon Cheung
Treasurer
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Rex Au Yeung
Secretary
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Frank Chu
Council Members
Advisors
Club Representatives
Our History
The first recorded cruiser race in Hong Kong took place in October 1849 under the auspices of the Victoria Regatta Club. However, the most enduring link in the city’s yacht racing history is undoubtedly the Macau Race, one of the earliest ‘international’ yacht races to be organised in Asia.
Originally run as a non-stop “there and back” race on Boxing Day, the format evolved after the war (likely around 1947), when the Macau Race began to be held over the Chinese New Year holiday. The event was subsequently suspended during the early years of the People’s Republic of China.
By the late 1960s (around 1967), the Cruiser Section had developed into the Cruiser Owners Association (COA), with the aim of promoting and encouraging competitive sailing among cruising yachts. For the COA, the Macau Race quickly became its flagship event, attracting more than 60 entries at its peak in the late 1990s. “Doing the Macau Race” has since become a defining part of sailing life in Hong Kong, shared across generations of sailors.
Today, the Macau Races form the cornerstone of the COA racing programme. They are a key component of the annual COA Championship Series, which also includes selected races organised by the four major yacht clubs in Hong Kong.