Archives

by Richard Dwight

It's most welcome and, a step in the right direction, in the cause of water sports and tourism when after a considerable lapse of time, a windsurfing regatta will be held on Sunday, January 12 on the 'sea water stretch' of Bentota beach. It is being organised by the Windsurfing Association of Sri Lanka (WASL) in collaboration with Lanka Sportriezen with the patronage of the Sri Lanka Tourist Board (SLTB) and with the assistance of the Bentota/Beruwela Hoteliers' Association.

This was revealed to the media at a press briefing held at the SLTB Auditorium by the pioneer of water sports in this country, Baron de Livera, who is also the President of the WASAL. Baron, who strongly feels that water sports is complementary to the tourist industry, briefly outlined what was done and achieved in the past and disclosing as well, the plans to promote water sports in the future.

The Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourist Board, Paddy Withana said that Baron de Livera was a doyen amongst water sports promoters who in his day excelled in water skiing, windsurfing, speed boat racing and yet others, while the organiser of this Open Windsurfing Championships, the Managing Director of Lanka Sportreizen, Tilak Weerasinghe was popular enough to be equally well-known amongst water sports enthusiasts. Withana stressed that it is with men like this and yet others that he intends to develop water sports which he felt is most opportune in order to give the added impetus and drive to the fast moving tourist industry.

He explained that water sports comparatively, does not require much infrastructure, for the reason the country is abundantly blessed with many a waterways like canals, rivers, lakes, lagoons and of course the sea. Withane emphasised that the prime objective is to foster tourism through different mediums like sports, adventure (mountain climbing/mountain biking) eco, scenic beauty, wildlife/bird sanctuaries and places of cultural interests.

The organiser of the forthcoming Open Windsurfing Championships, Tilak Weerasinghe outlined details of the meet where on the day in question Sunday, January 12 it will proceed thus: Registration at 10.30 a.m. (1) Skippers briefing 1.00 p.m. (2) First Course Race 1.30 p.m. (3) Second Course Race 3.00 p.m. (4) Third Course Race 4.00 p.m. (5) Award ceremony 5.45 p.m.

The trophies on offer will be the (a) LSR Windsurfing Championship Trophy (b) Baron de Livera Challenge Trophy and the (c) Thusitha Nanayakkara Challenge Trophy to be awarded to the youngest and most enterprising competition.

This trophy is awarded in memory of the late Thusitha Nanayakkara, a prominent journalist of 'Kreeda', Lake House who helped immensely to promote water sports during those pioneering days.

The competition which is open to both men and women without age restrictions will be conducted on a 'M' shaped course between 5 buoy flag posts. The windsurfer recording the best time of the three races will be declared the winner.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager