Watersports: Trainer Courses for trainers this week

The Lanka Powerboat Association (LPA), Sri Lanka's representative for The Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), will conduct two UIM Propstar Official Trainer Courses for new powerboat trainers. 

The programme will take place at Diyawanna Oya in Battaramulla near Waters' Edge Hotel. 

The first course will run from Monday, followed by the second course which will be held from November 15 to 18. 

"The principal aim of the programme is to provide specialist training for the sport of powerboating, while providing an educational foundation in general boating and water awareness. A total of 12 participants will be selected to be trained by a UIM commissioner using P750 Thundercat boats with a mix of class based theory and on water training," an official media release issued by the LPA stated. 

The participants will follow a basic, advanced and championship syllabus. At the end of the course the UIM commissioner will conduct an examination and the successful candidates will be accredited and recognised as UIM officials who would be eligible to officiate and train both locally and internationally. 

"Under the direction of a UIM commissioner we are going to train 12 adults for the qualification of UIM propstar official trainer. No previous experience is necessary, just a willingness to learn and an enthusiastic personality is what required," Sarah Flynn, the Secretary of LPA emphasised. 

"The trainers will be qualified to teach powerboating and water skills to all ages, but the LPA is particularly keen to train and educate children, as they are the future. The key points to the training will be -- seamanship, boat handling, safety and environmental consideration. The LPA aims to create a future for the youth to learn about the right and proper way to practise water sports and publicise water based sports to the local and national community to attract youth and encourage them in the practice of water sports," Flynn added. 

The UIM, founded in 1922, is the world governing body for Powerboating. 

The UIM governs all Powerboating disciplines and LPA made Sri Lanka the 57th country to join the UIM. 

LPA has made bringing and developing this exciting sport in Sri Lanka its primary objective, enabling powerboat enthusiasts to gain more exposure by allowing them to take part in local and international boat races. 

Over the recent years the LPA has successfully implemented and run several powerboat training courses including a course specifically designed for children between 9 and 16 - Junior Propstar Powerboat Training Programme. 

During the UIM General Assembly held recently, LPA signed an agreement with the UAE Marine Club to develop powerboating in the region, a feat which will hugely benefit the sport in Sri Lanka. 

Following on from this agreement and the huge success and international acclaim of Propstar Powerboat Training Programme, the LPA is looking for outgoing, enthusiastic people to join the team of existing trainers to continue and develop powerboat training throughout Sri Lanka.