International Junior Powerboat Propstartraining at Waters Edge

Friday, 19 August 2016 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), founded in 1922, is the world governing body for power boating. The UIM governs all power boating disciplines. The Lanka Powerboat Association (LPA) represents the UIM here in Sri Lanka. Its aim is to bring this exciting sport here, to enable the island’s community and tourists alike to develop skills enabling them to drive a range of powerboats and have the opportunity to take part in local and international races.

The Lanka Powerboat Association alongside the UIM acknowledges that every activity conducted on water can make a difference in the fight against climate change. The LPA is committed to practicing and promoting the UIM’s environmentally friendly practices which we hope will help to contribute towards solving some of the environmental challenges of today, particularlythose involving the decline in biodiversity to the unsustainable use of energy resources

With this aim in mind it has arranged for LPA trainers to come and run a three-day UIM propstar training course from 18 to 20 August at Waters Edge to train children aged between nine and 16 years. Due to the popularity of the event it now has a waiting list and more courses will be offered in October and December. The children will be following a comprehensive syllabus consisting of classroom and on water training including a segment environmental awareness. At the end of the course the LPA will set an examination and the successful candidates will receive accreditation and be recognised as the first LPA Junior Propstars worldwide. This is a landmark event as this is the first time this course is being held, with Sri Lanka leading the way.

The Lanka Powerboat Association has been successful in inviting Junior Powerboat champion Oban Duncan from UK to promote and participate in this event. Duncan is a nine-year-old Scottish RIB champion. She is the youngest champion at her level and is enjoying participating in the Propstars training program in Sri Lanka.

The course will conclude with a demonstration and exhibition race from the trainers of the course followed by aVIP event and award ceremony.