Alex Fong Lik-sun, former Olympian and current pop singer, is preparing for a 35-kilometer charity swim from Lantau Island to Macau scheduled for November 19. The swim, organized by the InspiringHK Sports Foundation, aims to raise HK$10 million to support underprivileged children, including those with special educational needs.
Fong’s route will take him across the Pearl River Estuary, starting from Peaked Hill on Lantau Island and concluding at Hac Sa Beach in Macau. He expects the crossing to take approximately nine hours. Challenges during the swim include navigating jellyfish, unpredictable weather, and the physical demands of the open ocean.
Fong, 46, has a notable swimming background, having represented Hong Kong at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and previously holding 11 Hong Kong swimming records. Although record-breaking has not been his primary motivation for this event, he does aim to surpass the 10-hour, 20-minute mark set by Simon Holliday, who completed the same course 12 years ago.
The idea for the swim originated with Fong’s younger brother, William Fong Yuen-ming, chairman of the InspiringHK Sports Foundation. William suggested the swim as a meaningful challenge for his brother in light of his new role as a father. Fong said the initiative resonates with him as a symbol of hope and perseverance, drawing parallels between the murky path of the swim and the uncertain futures faced by the children the event seeks to help.
Since 2015, Fong has been an ambassador for the foundation, sharing experiences such as witnessing underprivileged children participate in sporting events with inadequate equipment. He emphasized how sports can boost confidence and provide vital opportunities for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The foundation’s CEO, Iris Wong, described Fong as a “true role model” whose participation highlights themes of overcoming adversity and persistence. She noted that the event’s message is about navigating life’s uncertainties, much like the challenges of the ocean swim.
This is not Fong’s first charity swim. In 2019, he completed a 45-kilometer solo swim around Hong Kong Island, setting a new record and helping raise funds to provide clean water to over one million people in Southeast Asia. He has also participated in relay swims in recent years and won three gold medals at the 2023 World Masters Championships in Singapore.
Fong has intensified his training regimen, swimming more than 100 kilometers monthly as preparation. He will be accompanied by kayakers and support swimmers, who will wear wetsuits, though Fong himself will not. During the swim, he plans to maintain a steady pace without a watch, relying on a mental clock and periodic nourishment including energy drinks, snacks, and high-carbohydrate foods.
The “Legacy in the Waves” swim reflects Fong’s commitment to both his athletic roots and his advocacy for children’s welfare, channeling his personal experience and public profile to generate support for future generations.