HONG KONG, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On Thursday, November 27th, 30 swimmers in five teams will brave the elements to relay swim 45 kilometers around Hong Kong Island. This remarkable event, Make Waves for Hong Kong, aims to raise HK$3.5 million to provide learn to swim lessons for thousands of adults and children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Organised for the third consecutive year by charity, Splash Foundation, the event highlights a commitment to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to learn to swim and enjoy the benefits of being in the water.
Four Hong Kong teams will be vying for position alongside a Singapore team. The swimmers represent diverse backgrounds and swim levels, united by their motivation to share the joy of swimming with others.
Amongst the Hong Kong teams are Ryan Leung, the first Hong Konger to conquer the North Channel - one of the world's toughest swims; Janis Mok, Outreach and Strategic Partnerships Manager of the Swire Institute of Marine Science, the University of Hong Kong's research facility at Hong Kong's only marine reserve; and Vada Chung, Founder of Whiskers N Paws, who began open water swimming just two years ago.
Nearly Half of Hong Kong is Unable to Swim
Despite having the longest coastline of any city and an abundance of swimming pools, around half of Hong Kongers, mostly women and children from low-income communities, are unable to swim. The beneficiary of the event, Splash Foundation is a charity dedicated to improving access to swimming for disadvantaged children and adults. Their programmes are free-of-cost to learners across the city and see an 80% success rate at the end of 20 hours of instruction.
Learning to Swim for Individual and Community Wellbeing
Ryan Leung, Senior US Consultant at True North Education, is looking forward to swimming in his home city, "In the most challenging parts of my North Channel swim, the only way I could keep going was by adopting a mindset to focus on what I can control and accept what I couldn't. Swimming Make Waves and expanding access to learning to swim means giving Hong Kong disadvantaged youth this tool to navigate the immense pressures they're often under, build resilience and learn that they can achieve what may seem impossible at first."
Janis Mok's career change from the finance sector into marine conservation is closely tied to her journey into open water swimming. "In Hong Kong, we have a pronounced terrestrial bias; what we don't see, we don't care about. I grew up as a competitive swimmer, primarily in pools, until I finally took the chance to embrace what I didn't know. Hong Kong's waters have been improving and become clearer and cleaner due to measures taken by the government in early 2010s. To continue this progress, Hong Kong needs to learn to swim, learn to love the water, and see for themselves all that is worth saving."
Vada Chung, "I never realised that just a swimsuit, goggles and a swim cap could bring so much joy. I want others to discover that same joy which is why I'm swimming Make Waves. When I first swam out of the shark nets 2 years ago, I experienced something truly transformative - it was both exhilarating and strangely grounding at the same time. The swim connected my mind and breath to nature. Everything came together and I was hooked. I'm excited to help more people experience the joy swimming has given me."
Lasting Impact
Make Waves for Hong Kong funds nearly half of Splash Foundation's annual learn to swim programmes, enabling thousands of kids and adults from disadvantaged communities to experience the transformative impact of learning to swim and to enjoy lifelong access to the water.
'Make Waves for Hong Kong' is scheduled to start in the early morning hours of Thursday November 27th from Sandy Bay, near Cyberport, on the south side of Hong Kong Island. 30 swimmers in five teams will swim continuously for 11-13 hours.
Make Waves for Hong Kong 2025 is made possible by the generous support of sponsors, including Simpson Marine, Kiri Capital, Saint Honore, Henderson Land and the Lee Shau Kee Foundation.
Quotes from Sponsors:
- Simpson Marine: "We have been supporting Splash for the past nine years, providing safety and support vessels with crews, and around-the-clock strategic, logistical and safety assistance for the fundraiser swims", says Ewa Stachurska, Chief Marketing and Sustainability Officer at Simpson Marine. "As committed ocean enthusiasts, we're committed to water safety and to give more people the opportunity to enjoy the water with joy and confidence"
- Kiri Capital: "This is a truly unique international event and we're delighted to see it capture so much attention year after year." says Katherine Chan, Head of the Engage Program, Kiri Capital, "It is for a fantastic cause to ensure more Hong Kongers have the opportunity to gain the life skill of swimming"
- Saint Honore: "We are thrilled to support the Splash Foundation's 'Make Waves for Hong Kong' swim around Hong Kong Island. Let's celebrate our amazing city together." says Michael Tang, Chief Executive Officer of Convenience Retail Asia Limited. "By promoting swim literacy, we're paving the way for a brighter, safer, and healthier future for all Hong Kongers."
- Henderson Land and the Lee Shau Kee Foundation: "We are dedicated to supporting sports as a powerful way of advancing the well-being of society, promoting health, and fostering personal growth. We are pleased to once again partner with Splash Foundation for 'Make Waves for Hong Kong'" says Cynthia Leung, Chief Communications Officer at Henderson Land. "Driven by a shared vision to create meaningful impact within the community, this initiative perfectly aligns with our commitment to empowering individuals and encouraging active, healthy lifestyles throughout the city."
The Event
Make Waves for Hong Kong is a 45 km multi-relay swim around Hong Kong Island taking place on Friday 8 November, with 5 teams, composed of 30 elite swimmers and business leaders.
- The annual event builds awareness around the city's historically low swim literacy rates, where nearly half the population is unable to swim
- The teams aim to raise HK$3.5million for Splash Foundation to help thousands of disadvantaged children and adults experience the transformative impact of learning to swim.
- The swim will start in the early hours of Friday morning and is expected to take around 10-13 hours to complete
- Relayers will take turns swimming in 30 minute intervals, braving the elements and changing sea conditions.
- See event page: www.splashfoundation.org/makewaves.
About Splash Foundation:
Splash Foundation creates opportunities for kids and adults from disadvantaged communities to experience the transformative impact of learning to swim and enjoy lifelong access to the water. Through teacher training, programme delivery and public advocacy, Splash improves access to the water and enables thousands of people to learn a life skill that keeps them safe and improves their physical, mental and social wellbeing. Programmes are delivered in Hong Kong SAR and Singapore and beneficiaries include migrant domestic workers and other ethnic minority groups, kids and parents from low income communities, and kids with special educational needs. By 2030, Splash Foundation aims to teach 25,000 people how to swim.
Key facts
- Despite having the longest coastline of any city and an abundance of swimming pools, 47% of Hong Kong secondary school students cannot swim (source)
- More than half of people worldwide cannot swim, and women account for most of them: 2 out of 3 women cannot swim (source).
- After Splash programmes, 95% of participants shared that they are comfortable going to public pools to swim or to practise their swimming. (source: Splash Foundation)
2025 Make Waves Swimmers (See full team list: webpage)
Make Waves for Hong Kong - previous event photos (Google Drive: Photos)
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
International Relay Swim Event Around Hong Kong Island Returns to Help Thousands Learn to Swim
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On April 24, Wynn will host an official awards ceremony
to present 36 trophies to China's top-tier wineries
MACAO, April 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Following an intense judging week in early March, the 2026 Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards, a "Wynn Signature" lifestyle brand creation, is pleased to now unveil its list of the Gold, Silver, and Bronze medal winners. This announcement marks the final stage of the competition, setting the stage for the official awards ceremony at Wynn Palace on April 24, where 36 coveted trophies will be bestowed upon China's leading wineries.
Wynn reveals the winners of the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals
An expert judging panel comprising 23 of the world's leading authorities on wine conducted rigorous blind tastings to determine this year's Gold, Silver, and Bronze medal winners. The 2026 panel featured 11 Masters of Wine (MW), 2 Master Sommeliers (MS), and one industry expert with dual MW and MS certifications, as well as industry professionals from around the world, including renowned winemakers, educators, wine buyers, and members of the media.
In keeping with international judging protocols, the panel meticulously evaluated more than 800 wine entries from close to 180 Chinese wineries. The evaluations were conducted blind, and wines were appraised according to the internationally recognized 100-point system. Medals have been awarded to wines based on a tiered scoring system: Bronze (85-89 points), Silver (90-94 points), and Gold (95-100 points).
This year, 74 Chinese wines achieved Gold Medal status – more than doubling the 35 Gold Medals awarded in last year's edition. This surge in high-scoring entries reflects a remarkable leap in the quality of Chinese wines.
All Gold Medal winners will now advance to the final tier of the competition, vying for the 36 trophies to be presented at the awards ceremony in April. These include the highly prized "Best Wine of China Trophy"; trophies across three divisions: "Wynn Signature Trophies", "Varietals Champion Trophies", and "Regional Champion Trophies"; as well as trophies for the winners of the "Wynn Sommelier's Choice" and "Best Young Winemaker" categories.
For the complete list of 2026 Gold, Silver, and Bronze medal winners, please visit Wynn's official website.
The Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards ceremony and upcoming events
Macao will once again be in the global spotlight on April 24, when the 2026 Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards ceremony presents 36 trophies to China's top wineries at Wynn Palace. On April 25, Wynn will host an engaging forum and walkaround tastings to shine a light on this year's award-winning wines.
Chinese Wine Forum — "Wynn Signature Dialogue: Beyond the Awards – Charting the Future"
- Moderator: Xing Wei MW
- Topic: Xing Wei, a member of the judging panel and as a next-generation Master of Wine in China, will host an engaging discussion with representatives from several of China's award-winning wineries. Participants will share their perspectives on the road ahead and possibilities for the long-term development of the nation's wine industry. They will also share insights on participating in this year's Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards.
- Date and Time: April 25, 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
- Venue: Wynn Palace Meeting Room
2026 Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards Walkaround Tasting
- Representatives from the Gold Medal-winning wineries from this year's competition will gather with industry professionals and wine enthusiasts for a walkaround tasting. This is a unique opportunity to savor the high-quality and diverse flavor profiles of Chinese wines in a relaxed ambience.
- Date and Time: April 25, 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm
- Venue: Wynn Palace Meeting Room
Industry recognition catapults Chinese wines onto the global marketplace
In just two years, the Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards has received a number of prestigious industry accolades, and has recently added two more new awards to its growing portfolio. At the "JD Cup" WBO 2025 China Wine Market Annual Awards, jointly hosted by leading wine-focused Chinese media Wine Business Observation and JD Supermarket, Wynn Resorts Macau was named "Top 10 Promotion Organization" for its visionary role as the creator and organizer of the Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards. Simultaneously, the competition was also recognized among the "Top 10 Marketing Case Studies". These recognitions are a testament to Wynn's achievements in boosting awareness around high-quality Chinese wines and expanding their reach in the global marketplace.
Further cementing its influence, Wynn also received the "2025 Industry Service" honor from the China Alcoholic Drinks Huaxia Awards. This distinction reflects Wynn's commitment to building a world-class exchange platform that promotes China's diverse wine regions and amplifies the country's viticultural impact worldwide.
To boost exposure even further, Wynn has partnered with Cathay Pacific to display and serve award-winning wines from the Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards at its Hong Kong International Airport VIP lounges. Wynn also continues to host a series of exclusive overseas wine-tasting events and is boosting online and offline retail channels by working closely with globally renowned authorities such as Christie's, 67 Pall Mall, and Watson's Wine to give Chinese wines greater prominence on the global stage.
Key highlights from the judging week
From March 6 to 10, Wynn hosted a successful judging week of meticulous evaluations. The five-day event featured intensive blind tastings, masterclasses and wine dinners designed to bridge the dialogue between the Chinese and international wine communities.
Wynn invited Professor Li Demei, an expert on Chinese wines; Andrew Caillard MW, an Australian wine master; Jasper Morris MW, an expert on French Burgundy wines; and Denise Cosentino, a leading Italian winemaker, to host four engaging masterclasses. The industry professionals shared their profound insights into the diverse terroirs and unique flavor profiles of wines from China, Australia, France, and Italy, offering attendees a deeper understanding of global wine landscapes.
The executive chefs from Wynn's award-winning restaurants – Chef Tam's Seasons, SW Steakhouse, Lakeview Palace, and Drunken Fish – partnered with globally renowned wine experts including Jasper Morris MW, Andrew Caillard MW, Gus Zhu MW, Christy Canterbury MW, and Yohann Jousselin MS to present three themed dinners, showcasing the infinite possibilities of pairing food and wine, and also gave the industry an opportunity to savor the very best of China's wines.
On April 24, Wynn will host an official awards ceremony
to present 36 trophies to China's top-tier wineries
MACAO, April 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Following an intense judging week in early March, the 2026 Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards, a "Wynn Signature" lifestyle brand creation, is pleased to now unveil its list of the Gold, Silver, and Bronze medal winners. This announcement marks the final stage of the competition, setting the stage for the official awards ceremony at Wynn Palace on April 24, where 36 coveted trophies will be bestowed upon China's leading wineries.
Wynn reveals the winners of the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals
An expert judging panel comprising 23 of the world's leading authorities on wine conducted rigorous blind tastings to determine this year's Gold, Silver, and Bronze medal winners. The 2026 panel featured 11 Masters of Wine (MW), 2 Master Sommeliers (MS), and one industry expert with dual MW and MS certifications, as well as industry professionals from around the world, including renowned winemakers, educators, wine buyers, and members of the media.
In keeping with international judging protocols, the panel meticulously evaluated more than 800 wine entries from close to 180 Chinese wineries. The evaluations were conducted blind, and wines were appraised according to the internationally recognized 100-point system. Medals have been awarded to wines based on a tiered scoring system: Bronze (85-89 points), Silver (90-94 points), and Gold (95-100 points).
This year, 74 Chinese wines achieved Gold Medal status – more than doubling the 35 Gold Medals awarded in last year's edition. This surge in high-scoring entries reflects a remarkable leap in the quality of Chinese wines.
All Gold Medal winners will now advance to the final tier of the competition, vying for the 36 trophies to be presented at the awards ceremony in April. These include the highly prized "Best Wine of China Trophy"; trophies across three divisions: "Wynn Signature Trophies", "Varietals Champion Trophies", and "Regional Champion Trophies"; as well as trophies for the winners of the "Wynn Sommelier's Choice" and "Best Young Winemaker" categories.
For the complete list of 2026 Gold, Silver, and Bronze medal winners, please visit Wynn's official website.
The Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards ceremony and upcoming events
Macao will once again be in the global spotlight on April 24, when the 2026 Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards ceremony presents 36 trophies to China's top wineries at Wynn Palace. On April 25, Wynn will host an engaging forum and walkaround tastings to shine a light on this year's award-winning wines.
Chinese Wine Forum — "Wynn Signature Dialogue: Beyond the Awards – Charting the Future"
- Moderator: Xing Wei MW
- Topic: Xing Wei, a member of the judging panel and as a next-generation Master of Wine in China, will host an engaging discussion with representatives from several of China's award-winning wineries. Participants will share their perspectives on the road ahead and possibilities for the long-term development of the nation's wine industry. They will also share insights on participating in this year's Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards.
- Date and Time: April 25, 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
- Venue: Wynn Palace Meeting Room
2026 Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards Walkaround Tasting
- Representatives from the Gold Medal-winning wineries from this year's competition will gather with industry professionals and wine enthusiasts for a walkaround tasting. This is a unique opportunity to savor the high-quality and diverse flavor profiles of Chinese wines in a relaxed ambience.
- Date and Time: April 25, 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm
- Venue: Wynn Palace Meeting Room
Industry recognition catapults Chinese wines onto the global marketplace
In just two years, the Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards has received a number of prestigious industry accolades, and has recently added two more new awards to its growing portfolio. At the "JD Cup" WBO 2025 China Wine Market Annual Awards, jointly hosted by leading wine-focused Chinese media Wine Business Observation and JD Supermarket, Wynn Resorts Macau was named "Top 10 Promotion Organization" for its visionary role as the creator and organizer of the Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards. Simultaneously, the competition was also recognized among the "Top 10 Marketing Case Studies". These recognitions are a testament to Wynn's achievements in boosting awareness around high-quality Chinese wines and expanding their reach in the global marketplace.
Further cementing its influence, Wynn also received the "2025 Industry Service" honor from the China Alcoholic Drinks Huaxia Awards. This distinction reflects Wynn's commitment to building a world-class exchange platform that promotes China's diverse wine regions and amplifies the country's viticultural impact worldwide.
To boost exposure even further, Wynn has partnered with Cathay Pacific to display and serve award-winning wines from the Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards at its Hong Kong International Airport VIP lounges. Wynn also continues to host a series of exclusive overseas wine-tasting events and is boosting online and offline retail channels by working closely with globally renowned authorities such as Christie's, 67 Pall Mall, and Watson's Wine to give Chinese wines greater prominence on the global stage.
Key highlights from the judging week
From March 6 to 10, Wynn hosted a successful judging week of meticulous evaluations. The five-day event featured intensive blind tastings, masterclasses and wine dinners designed to bridge the dialogue between the Chinese and international wine communities.
Wynn invited Professor Li Demei, an expert on Chinese wines; Andrew Caillard MW, an Australian wine master; Jasper Morris MW, an expert on French Burgundy wines; and Denise Cosentino, a leading Italian winemaker, to host four engaging masterclasses. The industry professionals shared their profound insights into the diverse terroirs and unique flavor profiles of wines from China, Australia, France, and Italy, offering attendees a deeper understanding of global wine landscapes.
The executive chefs from Wynn's award-winning restaurants – Chef Tam's Seasons, SW Steakhouse, Lakeview Palace, and Drunken Fish – partnered with globally renowned wine experts including Jasper Morris MW, Andrew Caillard MW, Gus Zhu MW, Christy Canterbury MW, and Yohann Jousselin MS to present three themed dinners, showcasing the infinite possibilities of pairing food and wine, and also gave the industry an opportunity to savor the very best of China's wines.
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
The 2026 Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards Announces Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medal Winners
The 2026 Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards Announces Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medal Winners
