There are few things that can quite compare with the feeling you get when you are at the helm of a sailing boat – heading out towards the horizon with nothing but blue skies overhead and clear water beneath your hull!
Unlike motor boats, sailing boats only use the wind for power, so you can skim across the water with only the sound of the waves lapping against your hull. No diesel fumes wafting up your nose and no roaring engine churning up the water in your wake.
Though I had been taken to the Ceylon Motor Yacht Club on the shores of the Bolgoda Lake, ever since I can remember, my first real introduction to sailing on my own was when I was twelve.
Until then, I was quite content to paddle on the shore, catch hermit crabs scuttling around the rocks, and go on boat rides where I was an idle passenger. I was however, mesmerised by the way the boats sped through the water with such grace. I was always surprised by how, despite the way the rig seemed to tense as it hit a strong gust, the way the sailors guided their vessels with such apparent ease; and that children not much bigger than myself seemed to fly across the water, while turning back in their boat to chat animatedly with kids in other boats and fling water at each other and roar with laughter.
I was also impressed by how, in the two -man boats, the crews seemed to move as one, as they cleanly tacked the boats on a zigzag course.
Finally, at the ripe old age of twelve, I was convinced to join five other kids for a four day ‘Learn to sail’ course run by the Yachting Association of Sri Lanka. It was conducted by the national sailing coach, Krishan Janaka. There is a special class of boat for children aged 9-15, which is sailed worldwide. It is so popular in fact, that it is the biggest fleet of boats in the world.
This ‘Optimist’ class boat is a stable single-handed boat, with a flat hull and square sort of sail. It is very light and can be surprisingly fast in a good wind. Day one was a bit crazy. Though we had gone through the land drills, and it all seemed easy enough on shore, the first few hours on the water, I felt like a newborn fawn, skittering around with no control of its legs! The boat seemed to have a mind of its own and I was wrestling for control, and finding myself going round in circles. Things got better though and by day four, we found that we were actually going in the direction we wanted to go, and it was such a thrill to be able to push off from the shore, sail around the lake and come back all by ourselves!
The next big challenge was sea sailing. The sea can be an intimidating environment for first time sea sailors. The winds can be stronger, but of course, the main difference is the waves. On the upwind leg, the waves barrelling towards you can be daunting until you find yourself lifted up and safely deposited on the other side, and soon you start to relax and enjoy yourself.
And then you turn down wind and your whole perspective changes. When you find yourself surfing down the waves at top speed, it is the most exhilarating experience ever! For me, once I experienced sea sailing, nothing could top it.
Once you are 15, you graduate to a bigger boat. The Laser is a popular youth boat that is sailed by older children and adults. The most popular boat in Sri Lanka at the moment is the GP 14, which is a two -man boat. Sailing events are held regularly at the Ceylon Motor Yacht Club on Bolgoda Lake, and there are also regattas (including international championships) organised off the beaches of Trincomalee, Negombo, Mirissa, Galle and Crow Island. We are really looking forward to sailing from the brand new Colombo Port City Marina soon.
Sailing is a fabulous sport, and we now have many children from Ladies College, Royal College and S. Thomas’ in Colombo, as well as a few schools in Mirissa, who are active sailors.
Racing requires strategy, tactics and technique, as well as strength. It is one of the few sports where boys and girls compete together (and there have been several girl world champions!). The biggest events in Optimist sailing are the IODA (International Optimist Dinghy Association) championships. They are held in different places around the world each year.
I was fortunate enough to be part of the team that took part in the 2019 IODA Championships in Oman. Sailing in a fleet of 140 boats was truly an experience to remember.
The Asia-Pacific Championships were held in Trincomalee in 2012 and it was so successful that Sri Lanka won the bid to host it again last year (2020). Sadly, it had to be cancelled due to Covid -19.
Despite how it may sound, sailing is as safe as tennis or netball. In fact, there are far fewer injuries. Being a good swimmer isn’t necessary either, as we wear life jackets at all times. We have also produced several sailors who have done really well internationally – winning medals at the Asian Games and even representing Sri Lanka at the Olympics
Since we live on an island and we are lucky enough to have beautiful warm seas all year round, Sri Lanka is perfect for sailing. Why not give it a try!
- Lara Gunawardana
(age 14)