Wish You Were Here: Water Sports in Bentota

Surrounded by the ocean and with numerous lakes and waterways flowing across the island, water sports has yet to take off on a big scale in Sri Lanka. Well developed tourist resorts in some parts of Sri Lanka do offer water sports, however the closest place for those based in Colombo to indulge in water sports is the stretch of the Bentota river that falls into the ocean at the border of Bentota and Aluthgama. The Sunshine Water Sports  Centre run by former Sri Lankan windsurfing and water skiing champion Thusal Gunawardene is one place that provides fun rides which gets your adrenaline pumping.

Windsurfing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, banana rides, tube rides, jet ski rides, river fishing are all river based activities offered by the Sunshine Water Sports Centre. However for those seeking more thrilling adventures there are boats which can be hired for deep sea fishing, diving, snorkelling and beach based activities of surfing and body boarding are also available.

The feeling of sitting on a tube, being dragged across the water at lightening speed with the wind blowing through your hair while you scream in excitement is a pleasure that has to be experienced at least once in your lifetime. The thrill of a group of people astride a large inflatable banana being hauled across the the water and toppled (at your wish) is also quite exciting.

They also have boats which take you on deep sea fishing expeditions where you can indulge in fishing. If you are more adventurous then you can jump in to the ocean and snorkel.

Having a host of experienced and certified instructors on their staff. Both windsurfing and water skiing are instructed by Thusal Gunewardene himself. The Centre also provides beginner and advanced dive course conducted by PADI certified instructors. For those interested in windsurfing, the Centre offers a beginners course where the certification is recognised the world over as the Centre is a member of the VDWS (Verband Deutcher Windsurfing Schule, Germany).

The staff at the Center are very courteous and obliging. They also adhere strictly  to health and safety rules and regular examination and maintenance of all equipment is carried out to ensure the highest safety standards are followed at all times.

Ideal for a day out with friends and family, the array of watersports at the Centre ensures there is something for everyone irrespective of their shape or size and all rides are competitively priced.

By Tina Edward Gunawardhana