A boat race with no undercurrents

Two schools keep afloat a sport that few people know has surfaced to become an event creating something that goes far beyond competition:

by Callistus Davy

Colombo, Sri Lanka's most sought after sporting venue, will have her iconic waterway at the Beira Lake stirred up next Saturday as the exclusive domain of oarsmen from Royal College and arch rival S. Thomas' College who will row for pride and honour at the annual Royal-Thomian regatta.

The occasion may be an annual event for the two protagonists but what is little known is that both schools can take credit for keeping rowing afloat and contributing to national interests after initially setting out as pioneers of the sport. The show between the two schools began in 1962 as a single boat race but was halted from 1973 to 1979 as Royal College had to sort out some 'home issues'.

When it re-commenced in 1980 there was very little that the two schools had to showcase, but down the line the race snowballed into its present era that has now become a much looked forward to event in its 46th edition.

Some followers audaciously compare it to the famous Oxford-Cambridge boat race by way of stature.

"The re-activation of the Royal-Thomian regatta gave an impetus for the sport to improve helping to overcome the dearth that existed in the country", said Rohan Fernando a former Thomian captain and now the president of the National Rowing Association.

Fernando was one of the chief architects of the reincarnation of the Royal-Thomian regatta in 1980 and he'll be one of the first to witness this year's race in which S. Thomas' College are the reigning champions.

Contrary to an assumption that rowing may be beyond the reach of many people, Fernando will vouch that it is probably the most affordable sport to indulge in although it takes both muscle and mind become a successful competitor.

"Rowing was once considered an elitist sport. But now there is enough and more equipment available making it one of the cheapest to practice", said Fernando. "You don't have to maintain the water like a rugby or cricket pitch.

All you need is a T-shirt and a pair of shorts and your boat will last for 30 years".

Technique and vigorous training, Fernando asserted, are the two most vital requirements that a rowing athlete would need to take his place on the boat which puts him or her in an ideal position to tackle headwinds, crosswinds or turbulence on the water.

He chooses to call rowing "the most cardio sport with the least toll of injuries" compared to all other games or challenges.

But thanks to the Royal-Thomain regatta, the country now has 18 institutions taking part in the sport which is a big splash from just three entities (the third being the Colombo University) that indulged in rowing 30 years ago.

The two schools also supplied the Colombo Rowing Club with oarsmen to overcome the shortage of competitors at the time and the next phase of popularizing the sport will come when the waterfront of the Diyawanna Oya in downtown Kotte turns into a spectator friendly arena.

But according to Fernando there is something more than meets the eye in the rowing fraternity that may not be found in other sports where off-field cordiality goes beyond just a boat and oar.

"More than any other sport, the Royal-Thomian regatta is fought on ethics and discipline that maintains integrity and this has built up a rowing bond in the country, one for all", said Fernando.