The Royal College was the first school to start its own Sailing program in 2013. Joined by S.Thomas’ College two months later, the two schools have risen to challenge the existing community of Club and Navy Sailors. The sport of Sailing or Dinghy Yacht Racing has been dubbed by many as ‘Chess on the water’ due to its demanding mental and tactical requirements coupled with its stamina and endurance requirements. Races in sailing last for as short as 15 minutes to more than 2 hours.

Suneragiri Liyanage was the first Optimist captain of the Royal College Sailing Crew while Binara Batuwanthudawe was the first Royal-Thomian winning captain. Binara alongside Mayuka Siriwardane, Kaif Sally and Nisal Walpola was the first College team to win the Senior Laser, a main event at the Royal-Thomian. The Royal-Thomian Sailing Regatta has a card of six events, made up of the Laser Radial A and B, Optimist A and B, Optimist Individual and the Laser individual. S. Thomas’ won the first Trophy encounter in 2017 and Royal College emerged victorious in 2018.

Rehan Dias was the first sailor to be recognised by Royal at the 1999 Colours Award Ceremony. The grandson of Maalyn Dias, Rehan and his father Ranil Dias were the very first father son duo to represent Sri Lanka on International Waters.