From first strokes to 101 laps : A relay that changed lives
By Bradley Tang
Photo 1: Celebration in order after finishing 101 laps at Splash Dash Relay.
(From Left): Bradley Tang, Kal el Chow, Giles Ma, Hercules Chow, and Splash graduates Jamie Xu and Yuki Xu
When I first set out to bring the Splash Dash Relay Fundraiser to RCHK, I thought I was just organizing a charity swimming event. I didn’t expect it to become such a deeply meaningful experience. As a competitive swimmer, I spend a lot of time in the pool; water has always felt like a natural representation of who I am. But after hearing about the Splash Foundation through a close family friend, I discovered their annual Splash Dash Relay event and learned firsthand how swimming can truly change lives.
The Splash Dash Relay raises funds to support the foundation's free swimming programs for underprivileged and low-income communities across Hong Kong. According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), roughly 47% of Hong Kong’s population—mostly children and domestic workers—cannot swim. Despite our city’s extensive coastline and numerous public pools, this is a shocking reality. This high percentage stems from a lack of access to affordable lessons, demanding academic workloads, and limited early childhood exposure. Furthermore, studies suggest that if individuals do not learn to swim by age eight, there is a 90% chance they never will. This is precisely why initiatives like the Splash Foundation are so vital.
Bringing this fundraiser to RCHK for the first time came with challenges I did not fully anticipate. There were approvals to secure from various school departments, paperwork and liability waivers to complete, and a constant checklist of tasks—all on top of my regular schoolwork. Since this was our inaugural year organizing the event, we set a modest initial donation goal of $5,000. However, thanks to the incredible support of friends, family, and the RCHK community, our team raised a staggering $17,000 within the first two weeks.
Photo 2: Bradley Tang, Giles Tang, Hercules Ma and friends at the Splash Dash Relay Bake Sale at RCHK.
Knowing we could push our limits further, we decided to challenge ourselves with an even bigger target. With the help of donated baked goods, we organized a bake sale during the Secondary lunch period on April 16, 2026, aiming to push our total to $20,000. Countless students and teachers flooded our booth to buy homemade brownies, cookies, and Rice Krispie treats. In a single day, the RCHK community helped us raise over $3,000. This pushed our grand total past $22,000—enough to fund essential, lifelong swimming lessons for eleven people through the Splash Foundation.
Photo 3:(From Left) Bradley Tang, Giles Tang, Mr. Wheeler, and Hercules Ma
One of the most rewarding aspects of this experience was assembling my relay team, the Black Kites Ming Boys. Our roster spanned from Year 8 to Year 12: Kal-el Chow (Y12), Giles Tang (Y10), Hercules Ma (Y9), and myself, Bradley Tang (Y8). Everyone was eager to jump on board the moment I pitched the project. We were also incredibly fortunate to be joined by two recent Splash graduates, Yuki Xu and Jamie Xu, who had learned to swim through the foundation’s local community program over the past year. Seeing our diverse team come together was immensely fulfilling.
Photo 4: (From Left) Ms. Thompson (our Project Supervisor), Bradley Tang, Hercules Ma, Giles Tang, Kal el Chow
Photo 5: The team preparing for the next lap
The Splash Dash Relay took place on April 26, 2026, at Harrow International School. When we arrived at the pool, the magnitude of the challenge set in. The task was straightforward: swim as many laps as possible in 30 minutes. While that sounded manageable for the four of us who train regularly, it was an entirely different story for our two teammates who were still relatively new to the water. Every time we dove in, the pressure to maintain our pace for 30 consecutive minutes was intense. What kept us moving forward wasn't just physical conditioning, but a fierce team spirit. Between my own intervals, I watched Yuki and Jamie give absolutely everything they had, pushing through even with water stinging their eyes. The moment one swimmer touched the wall, the next was already diving in. We constantly cheered each other on through our exhaustion because we knew every single second mattered.
Photo 6: Getting ready for the next dive
Halfway through the heat, it would have been easy to slow down and give in to our aching muscles; I was so exhausted I could barely feel my legs. Instead, we dug deeper as a team, treating every completed lap as a shared victory. The competition in the adjacent lanes was fierce, which only heightened the adrenaline. By the final countdown, our lane counter had literally run out of plastic numbers after reaching 99. The entire pool area erupted in cheers as Yuki, our Splash graduate, touched the wall to complete our 101st lap.
Photo 7: Lap counters at Splash Dash Relay
Ultimately, we broke the Splash Foundation event record with 101 laps, earning a spot in the prestigious “100 Club” alongside Hong Kong Olympian Hannah Wilson and members of the Hong Kong National Team. It meant the world to us to raise over $22,000 for the cause and to cement RCHK's name on the leaderboard for both Most Money Raised (by Heat) and Most Laps Swum overall.
For Yuki and Jamie, this event was far more than a simple race—it was a testament to how much they had grown in confidence and resilience over the past year. Both had attempted the relay the previous year but were unable to finish due to sheer exhaustion and severe leg cramps.
"It was such an unforgettable experience to swim in the relay again and finally finish the race with the Black Kites Ming Boys this year. Swimming 101 laps with them was really challenging, but we didn’t give up," Jamie Xu reflected proudly after the event.
"I remember last year I couldn’t finish because of leg cramps. Through the encouragement from my team this year, I was able to make it to the end!" Yuki Xu added.
This experience has fundamentally transformed how I view the sport. It was easily one of the fastest, most intense 30 minutes of my life. However, swimming alongside the Splash graduates reminded me that when we channel the things we love into helping others, we create profound opportunities for the people around us. Swimming is no longer just a competitive sport to me; it is a powerful way to connect with my community and make a tangible difference.