Regetta Royal-Thomian today
The Oarsmen of Royal College Colombo and S. Thomas’ College, Mt Lavinia will showcase their skill and technique as they battle to take home the T. Noel Fernando Memorial Trophy at the 46th Annual Royal –Thomian Regatta 2015.
Being the oldest and longest running inter-school regatta in Sri Lanka, this annual rivalry between Royal College and S. Thomas’ College commenced in 1962 as the Royal – Thomian Boat Race. It evolved into the regatta as we know it today in 1966 with two fours rowed by the traditional rivals. Royal was led by LA W Sirisena and the Thomians were led by C N Sirimanne. Royal won the very first boat race in 1962 by one boat length and S. Thomas’ went on to gain their first win in 1964 – beating Royal by three boat lengths.
Royal was the first school in Sri Lanka to start its own rowing programme in 1953 with the formation of the Royal College Rowing Squad with their first captain being Alavi Mohomed. Their first regatta was rowed at the Beira Lake against an all European B Team of the Colombo Rowing Club in which the Royalists won the coxed fours. Soon after they went on to race with yet another all European team from the Madras Boat Club, which they won and the first ever colours for rowing were awarded.
Today, the regatta comprises of 11 races, which include sculls, pairs and fours. The races are rowed over a distance of 1,000 yards, at the Colombo Rowing Club. It is regarded as the most prestigious boat race in Sri Lanka, the race is rowed for the Boat Race Trophy – Senior Fours. The overall winner of the Regatta is awarded the T. Noel Fernando Memorial Trophy.
The Royal-Thomian regatta is one of the most popular sporting events in the schools calendar and is eagerly anticipated by the present and old boys of the two schools. An exciting competition is expected between the traditional rivals as they have proven to be fierce competitors in the regattas rowed throughout the years.
Nalin Samarawickrama, a past oarsman of Royal College, Colombo will be the Chief Guest this year. Samarawickrama captained Royal College Rowing in 1987 and is a five year coloursman.