Mirror Magazine

Mirror Magazine

Rowing regatta
By Mahangu Weerasinghe
Rowers do more before eight a.m. than most people do all day. No really, it’s true. By the time you’re having your morning cup of tea, they have already stretched, warmed up, and rowed a good eight kilometres. These oarsmen and women manage to balance their classes, clinicals, assignments and practicals with their extensive rowing schedules.

For the past two decades the crème of Sri Lanka’s undergraduate population have been battling it out on the water. Although the University of Colombo (UOC) started rowing in 1960, the first Inter University Regatta was held in 1981 after the University of Moratuwa (UOM) had also begun training. The Inter University Regatta which now spans two decades of rivalry between the two varsities has evolved into a must-see event in recent years. The 2004 UOC vs. UOM fixture however will be slightly different as it will be a part of the 8th University Games. Past rowers of both associations, along with the local rowing community in general, will attend the Regatta on August 11 at 2.30 p.m.

The Games, which include 22 other events, will kick off on August 11 with the Regatta. With rowers being the only athletes who train the whole year through, the Regatta will undoubtedly be one of the more competitive events. “Rowers at Colombo practice at least two hours a day during off peak training, and close to six hours a day during peak training,” says Wikum Hettiarachchi, former Captain of the UOC crew. Their counterparts at Moratuwa have similarly intense training schedules.

With the heavy workloads and long study hours, it seems almost unbelievable that rowing is popular in varsity. “Rowing offers students a chance to find something within themselves,” says Wikum, stating that the ultimate goal of rowing is to conquer one’s inner self. “At the end of the day, the wins and losses take care of themselves – it’s not what you have achieved, but who you have become that matters,” he remarks adding, “Lloyd Sirimane, coach of the University team has done a lot for varsity rowing, and much of what we are today is because of him.”

Both Universities however have faced difficult times when it comes to rowing. For many years, neither varsity had their own boats. The University of Moratuwa with the help of their past rowers became the first to get their own boats. The University of Colombo lacked funds for purchasing equipment and to this end set up the Graduates Rowing Association (GRA). With the help of several past oarsmen and women the GRA managed to purchase Colombo’s first boat, a single scull, last year. Those who wish to support the GRA can contact Lloyd Sirimane on 0777-353370 or Wikum Hettiarachchi on 0777-811855.

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