Thunder on the docks

Hung Kuen at Pier 7

I've always felt it was a shame that none of the major Hong kong gym chains offer any kind of kung fu programme. We're in the birthplace of Wu Shu, for *&^%'s sake! They have Capoeira (thanks to my man Zen Berimbau and others), they have cardio kicky-thingy-size, they have boxing and Thai boxing (hi, Jenny L!), but where's the fu? I did once make enquiries, but was told there would be 'no interest' in such classes.

To make matters worse, rents in Hong Kong's more accessible areas are so sky high that there are very few traditional kung fu kwoons operating. There's my teacher Li Fai's place in Central, there's Chow Keung Sifu out in Kwun Tong, a couple of Wing Chun schools in Wanchai... and that's about it!

I'm lucky in that I get to train with my teacher, Mak Chi-kong Sifu, at  this great location he found at Pier 7, on the Hong Kong docks. (Its the Star Ferry pier.) Mak Sifu teaches Hung Kuen, one of the traditional Southern Chinese martial arts. (These include Choy Li Fut and Wing Chun.) The training includes 'empty hand' kuen or 'fist' forms (pre-arranged sequences of movement) and also various weapons forms (sword, pole, spear...).

People ask me why I continue my practice, whether its for health or self-defence or just because I love kung fu movies! Well, all of the above, but mainly because its fun. 'Lunch hour' on the docks, between mountain and a water, makes for a great break from the busy day, and its especially fun when we have some new faces coming down to kung their fu.

Given that we're a small group, the Mak Hung Kuen Mo Kwoon has now and has had an impressive roster:

Bey Logan (writer/producer)

Phoenix Valen (actress/model)

Juju Chan (author/model)

Marcus Corrigan (boxer/banker)

Riley Saville (actress/dancer, Disney performer)

Rachel Poon (actress)

Bo Blaylock (judo and taekwondo champion)

Grace Huang (actress)

Patrice Poujoul (director)

Marcus Aurelius (director)

Craig Miller (MMA trainer/fighter)

Joey Tam (personal trainer)

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Former students

Roseanne and Race Wong (singers/actresses AKA 2R)

Ankie Beilke AKA Black (actress)

Kea Wong (actress, Jubilee, X-Men 2 and 3) 

We train 12 midday, most weekdays, at the Star Ferry Pier, under the clock tower. Its HK$100 a session, and all are welcome. You can contact Mak Sifu at hunggardonald@yahoo.com.hk, or on 9183 3379, or else call Vicki Tang at 62838115 or by email at vicki@bxe-productions.com.