HONG KONG — Veteran singer-actor Alex Fong has successfully completed a 35-kilometer open-water charity swim from Lantau Island to Macau, braving unpredictable sea currents and fatigue to raise funds and inspire others. The 46-year-old entertainer, who set off from Kau Yi Kok on November 19, joked beforehand that he could “swim to Macau to do a show.”
A Test of Endurance
Fong, who was accompanied by a support crew, trained for months for the grueling crossing. He admitted the challenge was tougher than his celebrated 2019 around-Hong Kong Island swim, noting that at 46, his body takes longer to recover. “I can’t train like I used to,” he said during an interview on the entertainment program “放飯ICU” with hosts Tam Yuk-ying, Ho Kai-yau, and Lam Pak-hei.
His preparation involved swimming 4 kilometers daily, with longer distance sessions every one to two weeks. This week alone, he completed two sessions exceeding 10 kilometers. To sustain energy during the marathon effort, Fong consumed energy gels and congee while afloat, and even claimed he could doze off in the water between strokes.
The swim’s success hinged on favorable sea conditions. “Long-distance sea swimming depends on the weather and luck,” Fong explained. He had hoped to finish in under nine hours.
Swimming School Struggles
Fong, who runs a swimming school, revealed the business is not yet profitable. Monthly electricity bills alone exceed HK$50,000 (US$6,400), rising to over HK$100,000 in winter. Staffing costs compound the issue, as instructors typically teach only three or four beginners at a time. He lamented that the traditional summer boom has faded, with families increasingly traveling abroad during the school holidays.
Despite the financial pressure, Fong remains committed. “The satisfaction of seeing students overcome their fear of water is enormous,” he said.
Family First
The swimmer credits his wife, Ye Xuan, for her quiet support. Though she appeared unfazed by the challenge, her simple question the night before—”Are you nervous?”—moved him deeply. “That one sentence was enough,” he said.
Fong, now a father to baby daughter Isla, reflected on his evolving roles as a son, husband, and father. Living in a three-generation household has its worries, he said, but also brings the joy of watching his daughter grow up surrounded by family. The proud dad revealed Isla recently won a crawling race, and while he won’t be coaching her himself—preferring to leave that to professionals—he hopes to steer her toward swimming and fencing as her primary sports.
The charity swim highlighted both Fong’s endurance and his dedication to giving back. As he put it, the achievement was about more than personal glory—it was about showing that age is no barrier to taking on extraordinary challenges.
