By Harry Jayachandra

Amateur Rowing Association of the East (ARAE) was formed in 1933 and the first Regatta was held the same year. The ARAE Regatta is perhaps the oldest and one of the most prestigious Regattas in this part of the world. Only teams from member clubs can take part in the competition. Now the FEARA (Far Eastern Amateur Rowing Association) Regatta is held as a part of the ARAE Regatta.

And Bolgoda Lake Rowing Club did Sri Lanka proud at this year’s 68th Annual ARAE Regatta which was held at Adyar River, Madras Boat Club in Chennai from January 26 to 31, 2010.

This is the first time FEARA double Sculls were won by Sri-Lankans and also the first time ARAE women from Sri-Lanka won the Double Scull (FEARA/ARAE Trophy) Bolgoda Lake Rowing Club (BLRC) was invited to take part in the Regatta in recognition of the contributions made for the development of Rowing in Sri Lanka and also taking into account the high standard displayed by its oarsmen/women. At the 68th Annual General Meeting of the ARAE / FEARA BLRC was unanimously affiliated to the ARAE / FEARA and accorded full member status.

There were over 120 oarsmen/women from over 10 Clubs from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka took part at this years Regatta. Only BLRC took part from Sri Lanka.

The BLRC, considering the club has been in existence only for about a year, performed exceedingly well. BLRC entered for the ARAE Women’s Fours, Double Sculls, Paris and Single Sculls. The BLRC Women’s Double Sculls won the event (gold) and emerged a very close runner up in the Fours (silver) and also in Pairs (silver) and came third in the Single Scull (bronze). The BLRC team was the runner up in the women’s overall category.

In the ARAE Men’s category BLRC competed in the Single Sculls, Pairs and Double Sculls with Pair securing the third (bronze) place. In the FEARA Men’s category BLRC competed in the Double Sculls event and came first (gold) winning the prestigious Karachi Regatta Challenge Trophy.

The BLRC team was managed by Sudip Naha and the President of the BLRC Sithira Wickremasekera accompanied the BLRC team in the Club’s first overseas tour.

The Team: Women’s Single Scull – Vinuri Wickremasekera
Women’s Double Scull - Swarnamali Wijesinghe, Sachitra Jayatilleka
Women’s Pair - Subashini Kularatne, Chalani Ramanayake
Women’s Four - Subashini Kularatne, Chalani Ramanayake, Hiruni Mendis, Swarnamali Wijesinghe, Nathira Wijemanne
ARAE Men’s Single Scull - Bimal Mishra ARAE Men’s Pairs
Double Scull - Arandara AND Nuwan FEARA Double Scull - Lasantha Welikala and Chanaka Thalpahewa