Passion for swimming
 

by Lakmal Welabada

The little aquarium at the corner of the sitting room became the focus of attention to little Gayani Ashnika Warnapura. She was attracted to the aquarium like a butterfly to a rose. The colourful little fish that swam and darted inside the glass tank fascinated her.

Leaning against the tank she would murmur "Gold fish, Cat fish, Gurami and Gappi," the names of her little friends which she learnt from her grandfather. "Seeya, can't we swim like fish?" she had a lot of questions to ask. "Oh! why not. You too can be a good swimmer one day," had been her grandpa's answer not knowing that he was encouraging a future swimmer.

Having realised she had the potential and hallmarks of a champion swimmer, Gayani's father decided to give his daughter a wonderful birthday present. A beautiful swimming pool was built beside in the little space available in the compound.

Then came the SAF games. Gayani was spell bounded to see Julian Bolling and his cousin sister swimming across the SAF meet pool quick like fish. The school girl was glued to the TV watching the performances of the gold medallists. "This is what I want. This is my game," punctured her mind. With all the inspiration and encouragement, Gayani started to excel in water-sports in - swimming, synchronised swimming and water polo.

Learning the different strokes under the guidance of her coach Ms. Julian Bandaranaike from the age of 12, and working together with her senior swimming champ Chandima Gunewardane, Gayani became one of the best synchronised swimmers in Sri Lanka.

'Rhythm in water', the first ever water ballet in Sri Lanka organised by her school, Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo in 1995 was the very first experience Gayani got in 'water theatre'. Following it two water ballets 'Cinderella' in 1999 and 'Beauty and the Beast' in 2002 were presented by Gayani and the Visakha swimming troupe. Gayani did her first water ballet production by directing 'Water loo' last year March. 'Water loo' was really a hit with different experience as it was to the background music of ABBA .

Question - "What's the difference between a water ballet and a ballet on stage?

Gayani - "First we get the normal script and look into the scenes in which we can include a ballet sequence in the water. And the rest is performed on the pool terrace. For example the castles in the play 'Cinderella' is set up beside the pool. And the meeting of two lovers could be performed in the water.

Each scene in the water is limited to 4 to 5 minutes. Normal waterproof make up is used on performers and gel is used to set their hair. We decorate the swim suits with glittering and colourful stuff to enhance the performance in the water. We do get help from the swim suit companies, but the bulk of the work such as designing and decorating the suits are done by my mother. She has been the push in my life.

In 2002, through the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Unit (SLASU) Gayani took part as an official at the Asian Age... Group Synchronised Swimming meet in Hongkong and guided the Sri Lankan synchronised swimming troupe went along with her. She was the national coach of the Sri Lankan troupe that took part at the Japan Open Synchronised Swimming meet held in Japan in early May this year, and won the Silver Medal.

All what we have talked about Gayani so far is about her passion in swimming. It's true that swimming has become her first love and pastime, both... But the 25-year-old is a genius with double Degrees in Electronic Engineering and Management from Nottingham University, UK. And she holds and shoulders the designation of Director, Wilton Metal Box Company Ltd which deals with manufacturing metal packaging items of supreme quality for any purpose. She over sees everything.

Even the separate tea packing unit affiliated to the company. "It is my father's business. I always wanted to become a businesswoman, even since I was a teenager. My father, Nimal Fernando has been my sole inspiration through out. Children have their own dreams and aims. Likewise my ambition was always focused on my father who has become a successful businessman. I wanted to become someone like him. And he was my hero," says Gayani.

Gayani claims she loves to lead a simple life style. "But I am person who can adjust to any situation. I am rational, but that does not mean I am not sensitive to issues. But I have the ability to control emotions," she says . "Synchronised swimming is meant only for girls. We have come to a certain standard and need professional training to continue. Our standard is far behind the Olympic standard .

The government should take note of this and improve the situation. We have really good swimmers," Gayani bemoans Gayani appreciates the assistance given by Karen Whiting, a Canadian national and UN official in Sri Lanka who coaches swimmers and does it as a pastime.

Unlike many other girls of her age who love to have fun and great times, Gayani has little spare time for anything else. She takes peer pressure leisurely and enjoys a lot when ever she meets her good friends. But Gayani has tight schedules in her daily routine. Except on Sundays Gayani's evenings are fully occupied coaching students.

She spends her office hours profitably learning and gaining a new experience at her business place. She has built up her own charisma to deal with everything and everyone. Gayani somehow finds time for a shopping spree with her mom, at least once in two weeks.