Colombo, Jan 7PM – Nestled in its breathtaking island backdrop, Sri Lanka is charting a course towards coastal rowing as the sport of choice for its athletes, guided by Pedro Sanz, Sri Lanka’s Rowing Technical Director from Spain. Sanz sees coastal rowing not just as a sport but as a potential catalyst for sports tourism, perfectly aligned with the island’s geographical charm.
A milestone was reached last year when Shaylon Gunaratna, a rising oarsman from the Asian International School, secured Sri Lanka’s inaugural gold medal in the Asian Junior Rowing Championship in Thailand. Collaborating with his schoolmate Rovinya Wijesekara, Gunaratna also claimed a bronze, marking Sri Lanka’s triumph in coastal rowing on the Asian stage.
“The Sri Lanka Rowing Association is dedicated to developing coastal rowing; it’s pivotal for the sport’s growth here. From a performance standpoint, it’s evident. We can allure people to tourism by showcasing this beautiful island. Coastal rowing is ideal. We also have two different climates, offering flexibility. When one side is not feasible, you can explore the other,” explained Sanz, whose collaboration with the Sri Lanka Rowing Association spans two years.
With coastal rowing’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Sanz acknowledges both the technical challenges and opportunities for Sri Lankan coaches. He underscored the discipline’s potential, citing AIS star Shaylon Gunaratna’s triumph in the last Asian Junior Championship.
“The federation is actively working with the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka and the International Federation of Rowing to develop coastal rowing this year. Talks have already commenced with Saudi Arabia, UAE, India, and Malaysia, expressing their willingness to participate. This is the way forward,” added Sanz.
Taking a groundbreaking step, Sanz organized the first National Indoor Rowing Championship, where Asian International and Visakha Vidyalaya claimed titles for junior boys and girls. “This is the first time in Sri Lanka Rowing that schools are unified, making rowing stronger during the national championship. Developing young talents like Shaylon between 12 to 15 years old allows for earlier training. At the international level, progress is smoother and quicker,” emphasized Sanz.
The strategy hinges on identifying talent at a young age, preparing them for optimal performance. Sanz highlighted the challenges of commencing training after the age of 18, emphasizing the difficulty in learning proper technique, values, discipline, and training methods.
AIS’ Shaylon Gunaratna, identified as a potential Asian Games medalist, is preparing for Olympic qualifications and the World Championship in Italy. The upcoming Asian Junior Championship and potentially the Asian Senior Championship are the next international events on the horizon for Sri Lankan rowers.
“In April, we’re working hard to qualify for the Olympics. Getting support from the Sports Ministry and the National Olympic Committee is really important for us. Shaylon will get a chance to compete for a spot in the Olympics during the qualifications in Sri Lanka,” concluded Sanz, a seasoned expert in both regular and coastal rowing.
