Power-boating: LPA conducts inaugural training programme at Diyawanna

With the intention of making headway Lanka Powerboat Association (LPA) completed its inaugural three-day training course for youngsters at the Diyawanna Lake in Battaramulla. 

The training course, which began on Thursday (18), was aimed at imparting the know-how of power-boating to Sri Lankan youngsters between the ages of 9 and 16. 

"We have selected children from schools around Colombo for this exciting, comprehensive training programme. We are hoping to extend this opportunity to more children throughout the country in due course," stated Manik Gunawardana of LPA. 

To assist the training sessions, LPA had the distinction of getting down Oban Duncan from the United Kingdom, a 9-year-old Scottish RIB champion, to give a firsthand experience on power-boating to the Sri Lankan youngsters. 

The first two days of the programme was totally dedicated for classroom sessions while Saturday (20), the final day, it was full of practical activities. 

"We have been successful in inviting a Junior Powerboat champion, Oban Duncan to promote this event in Sri Lanka. Oban is the youngest champion at her level and she participated in the Propstars training programme here," Gunawardana added. 

The programme concluded with a demonstration, exhibition race from the trainers with four VIPs joining as co-pliots. 

The LPA awarded these VIP's with the title of Honorary Propstar Ambassador at an award ceremony held after the event. 

The LPA represents Sri Lanka at the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), the world governing body for Power-boating, which was founded in 1922. 

The UIM governs all power-boating disciplines as LPA aims to promote the exciting sport here, to enable the island's community and tourists alike to develop skills enabling them to drive a range of powerboats in addition to helping them take part in local and international races. 

"The children followed a comprehensive syllabus consisting of classroom and on water training including a segment environmental awareness. At the end of the course the LPA set an examination and the successful candidates received accreditation and was recognised as LPA Junior Propstars," Gunawardana revealed.