The watersports season in Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) opens in October each year with a calendar of events, which this season included three rounds each of traditional dhow racing in the 22ft, 43ft, and 60ft classes as well as three rounds of the 22ft match racing. In addition to this there were three rounds of Jet Skiing, four rounds of traditional rowing and four rounds of powerboat racing as well as two major international sailing events. By the end of the season later this month over forty events will have been hosted at the club. The clubs watersports portfolio has expanded steadily and successfully over the years under the guidance of CEO Saeed Harib, who has overseen the operation since the club began. ‘I never imagined how far DIMC and Dubai would come in the last twenty years,’ the CEO commented. ‘Next season, in November, we will join Nice, Auckland, Sardinia and Hong Kong to add the Louis Vuitton Trophy, Dubai to our ever expanding schedule.’
The final race of each season is also the biggest traditional sailing race in the world, the Al Gaffal long distance 60ft traditional dhow race from Sur Bu Na’air Island to Mina Seyahi. The timing of the race, which involves over one hundred dhows and around 4,000 people, coincides with the traditional route the pearl divers used to take on their return home. This year the race will be in its twentieth year and still fully supported by HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
DIMC ensures that the annual racing calendar provides ample opportunities for a variety of traditional and modern watersports and the club is keen to develop new activities such as the World Surf Skiing Championships, major swimming races, Wakeboard Championships and just recently the first sea pool water polo tournament. It also welcomes new initiatives such as the stand up paddleboard, which will also be included next season.
The month of May generally wraps up with the final rounds of many events and this weekend there is the final round of the Dubai Jet Ski race on Friday 14th at 11:30 followed by the Traditional 60ft Dhow Sailing race in honour of HH Sheikh Majid Bin Rashid Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, the Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority on Saturday 15th at 14:00.
