The second phase of the Development of National Sports Systems (DNSS) project for Sri Lanka was successfully conducted by World Rowing Lead Expert, Chris Perry, from 29th August to 2nd September 2024. With the arrival of a new fleet of coastal boats, manufactured by Kanghua, the focus for this visit moved towards learning practical skills. After revision work on safety, swim testing, risk assessment and beach measurement, coaches spent two days learning how to rig, launch and handle the new coastal boats on the water. Beach Sprint skills including boat-entry, turns and boat-exit were also covered.
With the coaches suitably up-skilled, it was then time to invite athletes from local schools, universities, clubs and the military to come and try coastal rowing for the first time. Using a sheltered, sandy beach at Port City Beach Club in Colombo, athletes came down in small groups and were supervised by the course coaches who, in turn, were assessed and given feedback on their coaching performance and style. Over two days, over 40 athletes were able to experience rowing on the sea for the first time and those taking part thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
We were also honoured to have a visit from Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera – Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy – who expressed great support for this new rowing discipline and kindly provided safety boats and Navy rescue personnel during the water sessions. Some discussions were also held regarding the future possibility to introduce rowing near Jaffna in the north of the country where the Navy already run water sports activities.
On the last day a visit was also arranged to the Diyawanna Rowing Centre, which is the national training base for classic rowing just outside Colombo. Here there is a four-lane stretch of sheltered water almost 2000m long. The Army and Navy rowing clubs are also located on the same channel.
A third visit under the DNSS is planned for the end of October when it is hoped to organise the first national Beach Sprint competition. In the meantime, practice for different groups will continue under the trained coaches group.