bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

sponsorType

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Mark Agnew

Recovering drug addicts have taken to the seas around Hong Kong to gain life skills that will keep them clean when they return to society.
The group of men, who reside at Shek Kwu Chau Treatment & Rehabilitation Centre (SKC), spent a week with Outward Bound Hong Kong (OBHK) learning to sail.
“I think I can be braver and tougher, it was such a difficult task but I still completed it so I get more confidence in myself,” said one recovering addict.
There was a 24-hour period during his training when he had barely anything to eat, and was constantly working hard on the boat.

Drug addicts recover with trail running as sport gives them perseverance and determination
“During that time I thought so much about what I want, and what I really need in my life. A simple life can make me happy,” he said.
“When I was on drugs, I could not face my setbacks. I drowned in that sadness. Now I will think differently, although I’ve lost so many things to drugs, it will be different [when I leave SKC].”
He started the course afraid of the expanse of the sea, but he grew in confidence as time went on, thanks to the cooperation between him and the rest of the crew.
“I took ‘ice’ [crystal methamphetamine] before and during that time I had many illusions. I was afraid of people. Afraid they were threatening or killing me,” he said.
His aunt was at OBHK when it hosted a graduation ceremony for the participants.
Reformed drug addicts offered chance at sailing career by crew from Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club
“You can see emotions in him, you can see him crying,” she said of the change she had seen since he moved to SKC, an island south of Lantau. “Before, he didn’t show emotions, he was just taking drugs, but not any more.”
Another new sailor said the OBHK helped him learn determination.
“During my stay in SKC, I learned to have a more disciplined lifestyle,” he said. “I did not have this during my addiction. Here, I learned to be more persistent, to achieve my tasks and not give up. I could practise, not just in theory but in a practical setting.”

Drug addicts find ‘real power’ in trail running to regain control and meaning
The two instructors, Keefe Hung and Houso Ho, supported their crew with more than just technical skills.
“Even within one group, what they have changed or learned is different,” Hung said. “Some have come to learn patience, some have come to learn communication, so it is hard to say what participants get out of it.”
Ho said: “Some of the participants were learning very slowly at the beginning but quickly by the end and we were increasing what we taught them.”


8 Asian surfing spots to ride the waves, from Phuket to Sri Lanka

Celestial V70 wins overall honours in blustery and tragic Sydney to Hobart yacht race

LawConnect wins back-to-back line honours in punishing and deadly Sydney-Hobart yacht race

‘Just devastating’: 2 dead after being struck by sail booms during Sydney to Hobart race

Water sports

Life lessons on the high seas for Hong Kong drug addicts rehabilitating through Outward Bound sailing sessions

Recovering drug addicts learn to sail to help build life skills that will help keep them clean when they leave rehabilitation. Photos: Outward Bound Hong Kong

Recovering drug addicts learn to sail with outward bound Hong Kong

Sport

Outdoor

Extreme Sports

Health & Fitness

Time at sea teaches a group of men life skills that will help them continue to fight addiction once they leave rehabilitation
Instructors impressed with progress made by sailors in such a short time


Time at sea teaches a group of men life skills that will help them continue to fight addiction once they leave rehabilitation


Drugs

Life lessons on the high seas for Hong Kong drug addicts rehabilitating through Outward Bound sailing sessions

Time at sea teaches a group of men life skills that will help them continue to fight addiction once they leave rehabilitation Instructors impressed with progress made by sailors in such a short time

Time at sea teaches a group of men life skills that will help them continue to fight addiction once they leave rehabilitation

Instructors impressed with progress made by sailors in such a short time