The Liechtenstein Princely Navy was invited to attend AIA Southside Massive’s End of Season Party at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club. The theme was about gorillas and bananas, which was also reflected in the decoration around the pool. The Navy stuck to protocol and attended in matching “NAVY” post race uniforms instead.

Before long, members of various teams were found in the swimming pool, including Sailors Kaspar, Ruedi and LiechtenSteve, who used to occasion to engage various bikini-clad female targets in the vicinity. Usually calm and placid Sailor Ruedi was not amused about being thrown into the pool and cause a minor diplomatic incident by taking a member of a rival team into headlock – thus leaving up to his family name (Wildi = the Wild One).

Sailor Kaspar was also in his element, floating up and down the pool in his Armani jeans while clinging to his inflatable banana and trying to compete with Sailor LiechtenSteve for the attention of the under-dressed ladies. SOF James eventually also volunteered a jump into the pool while the Admiralty was directing proceedings from a dry distance.

The party featured the usual drinking competition, whereby AIA Southside Massive predictably jumped the start and the HKIPC spilled the beer across the floor. The Navy had a strong race despite the inferior non-Foster’s quality of the fuel.

Aside from celebrating the end of a long dragon boat season, the event was also raising money for a children’s foundation, which the Navy supported by hosting a Best Liechtenstein Song Competition. Contestants were judged in their ability to sing the most recognized anthem in dragon boating – the “Liechtenstein” song – while offering $100 for charity for each contestant. We heard some fantastic – and some horrendous – renditions of our beloved anthem, including a rap version, a can-can, a “Like a Virgin” Madonna version and a Swedish version that did not even mention Liechtenstein. After long deliberations, the judges awarded first price to a rival peddler by the name of “Rambo”, who delivered the most heartfelt and vocally impeccable performance of the night.

The Admiralty of the Liechtenstein Princely Navy would like to congratulate AIA Southside Massive for putting together an excellent party and raising money for a good cause.