Prizes galore at Kinross 48th annual six mile sea swim

Richard DWIGHT

The sport of swimming for reasons best known to many, has past grown popular amongst schoolboys and girls. This is evidence by every urban school, more or less possessing standard swimming pools – whilst those in the rural areas made use of the many different waterways, the country was blessed with.

The Kinross Swimming and Life Saving Club, which caters to all forms of water sports, came into being at Wellawatte in 1941. This was mainly through the outcome of the lover of all forms of water sports, Mike Sirimanne who almost experienced a fatal incident of drowning in the waters of Kinross. It was this that motivated and initiated, the reputed Mike Sirimanne to be the founder of the Kinross Swimming and Life Saving Club 72 years ago being launched in 1941.

The club has done well, to sustain and maintain its yearly calendar of events, one among which is the six mile sea swim.

This year marks the 48th annual open six mile sea swim, conducted by the club. It will be held on March 31, 2013. This most popular long distance swimming competition held annually attracts almost all the long distance swimmers in Sri Lanka and undoubtedly is the longest distance swimming competition in South East Asia.

Every year around 100 competitors from clubs, schools, the Armed Forces and Police participate in this competition. The course of the swim is from Wellawatte to Mount Lavinia and back to Wellawatte and to qualify for awards and certificates the competitors have to finish the race in 4 hours and 30 minutes.

The meet is conducted with the sanction of the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Association.

In addition to the following challenge trophies the winners will receive cash prizes as well.

M.G. Sirimanne Memorial Challenge Trophy for the Men’s Race Winner John Roche Challenge Trophy for the winner for the Women’s Race

Turab A. Jafferjee Challenge Trophy for the Men’s Team Championship

Guy Theideman Challenge Trophy for the Team’s C’ship

Dama Perera Challenge Trophy for the 1st Male Kinross Swimmer to finish within time

George De Bruin Challenge Trophy for the 1st Female Kinross Swimmer to finish within time

Maharajah Challenge Trophy for the youngest male swimmer to finish within time

President’s Challenge Trophy for the youngest female swimmer to finish within time

Tissa Ariyaratne Challenge Trophy for the oldest swimmer to finish within time.