This year’s rowing nationals was held in the waters of the Bolgoda Lake, Panadura and this year was the very first time that rowing nationals was taken to outstations rather than holding at the Bere lake, Colombo.
For the 25th time running Amateur Rowing Association of Sri Lanka(ARASL) organized the rowing nationals where University of Moratuwa Rowing Team was the technical facilitators by laying the lanes according to the international standards.
There were 15 institutions and more than 200 participants took part in this great event and for their first time Kothalawala Defense University (KDU), Prince of Wales College and Bolgoda Lake Rowing Club (BLRC) appeared and women’s team of the KDU made a significant impact on the rowing community by showing their talents after having just 2 months practice.
All the races were held under the following categories.
· Under 16
· Under 19
· Over 19
· Open
Results:
Men’s Champs:-
· Under 16 – Royal College
· Under 19 – St. Thomas College
· Over 19 – University of Moratuwa
· Open – St. Thomas College
Women’s Champs:-
· Under 16 – Ladies College / Bishop’s College
· Under 19 – Ladies College
· Over 19 – University of Colombo
· Open – Ladies College
This was the first time that the University Of Moratuwa has won an age category championship in a Rowing Nationals. Before this, they were the senior champs at the Bolgoda Regatta 2009 which was held in July, this year. As the pioneers of organizing regattas at the Bolgoda Lake and who has done a prominent job in promoting the sport among Sri Lankans, University of Moratuwa Rowing Team is now in a position that can go up to the international level even beating Sri Lanka Air Force and Sri Lanka Navy. Also they are the people who introduced the international standard 2000m straight course multilane rowing races to the Sri Lankan rowing community.
