Navy Kayaking expedition team circumnavigates Sri Lanka

Launched in Karainagar Island in Jaffna peninsula on 19th February 2016, the Navy’s Kayaking Expedition Team circumnavigated the Island and reached the point of origin at Karainagar on 02^nd April 2016, completing 1251 kms arduous and exhausting paddling through waters of Western, Southern, Eastern and Northern seaboard. The Kayaking team was deeply honoured to be received and congratulated by the Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne at the Finishing line, who gave a lot of support and encouragement to them to accomplish this endeavour. The timing of the expedition was so planned to get the best seasonal advantage of the monsoons on the West and East coast.

The team was led by Captain (CDO) Priyantha Perera, the Director Naval Training, Chairman of Rowing and Canoeing sports and former Commanding Officer of the Navy’s elite Special Boat Squadron. The other members of the team comprised of Lieutenant Commander (SBS) DGKGT Kumara and FCPO (SBS) AWGP Sampath; both are serving members of the Special Boat Squadron along with Captain Perera, paddled the entire distance while a fourth paddler took turns at separate legs of the passage to allow training and to gain experience for the members of the Special Boat Squadron.

The voyage has tried the Kayakers skills in paddling in difficult sea conditions, beaching in extreme surf, sitting in a cramped cockpit for long hours under scorching sun and heat for long hours is proof of courage and perseverance. The Ocean kayaking is a recreation of high endurance as well as a Special Maritime Operation skill that demands physical endurance, technique and confidence. In most littoral countries ocean kayaking is extensively promoted as a part of coastal tourism and recreation with ample service support and infrastructure. In Sri Lanka a very few practice kayaking as a recreational sport.