Like Tree44Likes

Swimming - fresh water- tai tam?

Closed Thread
Page 1 of 10 1 2 3 4 9 ... LastLast
  1. #1

    Join Date
    May 2009
    Posts
    108

    Swimming - fresh water- tai tam?

    I am a great fan of fresh water swimming i.e. rivers, lakes etc instead of the salty sea or chloriney pool. I see that watersports take place on Tai Tam reservoir, so is it OK just to swim in there too? Anyone know of any good fresh water swimming spots that don't require hiking for hours to get there?

    jack xie likes this.

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Posts
    5,110

    You are not allowed to swim or engage in any watersports at Tai Tam or any other reservoir used for drinking water in HK I'm afraid.

    There is one disused reservoir, Wong Nai Chung, below Parkview on HK Island, where watersport is allowed (although you have to rent it from the vendor there rather than bring your own kit). But looking at the water quality at that cesspool, I don't think you would want to take a dip there.

    Last edited by Watercooler; 28-06-2013 at 11:22 AM.
    Tom007 likes this.

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Posts
    13,099
    Quote Originally Posted by MarthaK:
    I see that watersports take place on Tai Tam reservoir, so is it OK just to swim in there too? Anyone know of any good fresh water swimming spots that don't require hiking for hours to get there?
    Exactly what watersports on TaiTam reservoir have you seen?

    Swimming/jumping is illegal but many wont let that stop them:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5ymXWWyiCw
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAPVYTEIChA
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZzG2BZFYig

    But you can go here, and this one is legal :
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41OW0NeeUGQ
    But you will have a hard time finding this place without someone to show you.
    If you are good with a GPS and maps, its right in the middle of this:
    http://www.openstreetmap.org/?lat=22...495018&zoom=18

    Better yet, join up with these guys : http://www.meetup.com/hongkonghikingmeetup/
    and go to many such spots with a big group; safer that way.
    Last edited by HowardCoombs; 28-06-2013 at 11:26 AM.
    MarthaK likes this.

  4. #4

    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Posts
    5,110
    Quote Originally Posted by HowardCoombs:
    Quote Originally Posted by HowardCoombs:

    But you can go here, and this one is legal :
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41OW0NeeUGQ
    But you will have a hard time finding this place without someone to show you.
    If you are good with a GPS and maps, its right in the middle of this:
    http://www.openstreetmap.org/?lat=22...495018&zoom=18

    Better yet, join up with these guys : http://www.meetup.com/hongkonghikingmeetup/
    and go to many such spots with a big group; safer that way.
    Encouraging illegal activity here are we?

    There are people patrolling the reservoir you know. Granted, given the size of the reservoirs, you might not be spotted, but if you are, you can be prosecuted.

    And some busybody locals won't appreciate seeing people swim in their drinking water and will tell you in no uncertain term to get out (even if most of the drinking water is supplied from the mainland, you never know when you will used the reservoir waters).

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Sarcasm - because beating the crap out of people is illegal
    Posts
    14,622

    Sheung Luk stream near Sai Wan, Sai Kung.

    Last edited by Claire ex-ax; 28-06-2013 at 11:52 AM. Reason: typo in Sheung

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Posts
    13,099
    Quote Originally Posted by Watercooler:
    Encouraging illegal activity here are we?
    Who, innocent little old me? Never!
    There are people patrolling the reservoir you know. Granted, given the size of the reservoirs, you might not be spotted, but if you are, you can be prosecuted.
    Seen lots of patrols but I've never seen these swimmers. Only see them on Youtube videos. I personally have not swam in the reservoirs; I dont like to get into natural water that is not flowing -- too much chance of horrible things happening.

    But been to many rivers and waterfalls; they are a lot more fun and there are large numbers of them all over the territory....
    Watercooler likes this.

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Posts
    6,745

    Lantau is full of ponds, but you must know where to find them.


  8. #8

    Join Date
    May 2009
    Posts
    108

    Howard Coombs, wakeboarding - http://www.wakeboard.com.hk/location.htm


  9. #9

    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Sarcasm - because beating the crap out of people is illegal
    Posts
    14,622
    Quote Originally Posted by Morrison:
    Lantau is full of ponds, but you must know where to find them.
    Shui Lo Chu Pools require a bit of a hike, but then I wouldn't want to swim in natural pools that were easily accessible to all and sundry!

  10. #10

    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Posts
    13,099
    Quote Originally Posted by MarthaK:
    Howard Coombs, wakeboarding - http://www.wakeboard.com.hk/location.htm
    *smile* I'm willing to bet that you have not seen this with your own eyes

    They do not wakeboard in the reservoir, they do the activity in TaiTam Harbour aka TheSalty SouthChianSea.

Closed Thread
Page 1 of 10 1 2 3 4 9 ... LastLast