YouTube rowers organise 50th Independence Regatta in Malė, Maldives

Since 2010 the UK rowing community and British Rowing have supported the Rowing Association Maldives in reigniting the sport of rowing in the Maldives. 

In April, Hulhumale Rowing Club held its first ever competition as part of the 50th Independence of Maldives. The races were held in the main harbour of the country’ capital Malé using both traditional fixed seat rowing boats (bokkura) and sliding seat coastal boats. 

Guin Batten, Chair of FISA’s Rowing for all Commission said ‘it is great to see the growth of Hulhumale RC, who only 2 years ago taught themselves sliding seat rowing from videos on You Tube’. Despite the recent success the future is bleak for the Club as the water around the boathouse is reclaimed to provide new land for housing as Malé expands. Guin is confident the Club officers will find a new beach in the next few months to local their boathouse. 

The “Moodhu kulhivaru Eedhu” Regatta was held over two days featuring sculling events for both males and females. 

It was a huge triumph for Hulhumale RC who participated in the two-day weekend festival as well as co-ordinating 11 teams and six competitions of sculling, bokkura and bokkura tug-of-war. The event organisers provided trophies, medals and certificates for the winning teams. 

For more photos and information visit the Hulhumale Rowing Club facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Hulhumale.Rowing.Club?fref=ts

and the Rowing Association Maldives facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Rowing-Association-of-Maldives/439170632811647