Jumeirah Beach will witness a unique sporting event held for the first time: swimming around the World Islands for 18 hours, organized by Dubai International Marine Club as part of the 2023-2024 sports season in cooperation with Pirates Surf Rescue UAE.

Pirates Surf Rescue comprises a group of diving, marine rescue, and open water swimming professionals, along with several academies and teams specialized in open swimming in the country, participating in this unique event. The swimmers will alternate between each other to complete the task within 18 hours, with a total of 64 people involved in the relay.

The event commences from the starting point at Kite Beach in Jumeirah precisely at eleven o’clock this Friday evening, following the designated path circling around the World Islands. Swimmers will navigate near the breakwater around the islands, returning to the finish line within 18 hours, specifically by 5 pm tomorrow, Saturday.

Mohammed Al Marri, Director of the Sports Affairs Department at the Dubai International Marine Club, stated, “We are pleased to organize this event, which adds diversity to the club’s events calendar. The upcoming event is a unique occasion that brings together an elite group of open water swimming enthusiasts to tackle the challenge of completing the swim around the World Islands.”

Al Marri confirmed that the supervising committee for the event has coordinated with key partners supporting the club’s activities, including the Dubai Police and other relevant authorities, as well as the Pirates Surf Rescue Foundation. Full logistical support for this initiative will be provided by the club's teams, ensuring regulatory measures are in place throughout the activity period until all participants safely reach the finish line.

2001

It is noteworthy that the Dubai International Marine Club has a rich history with open water championships. It hosted the first rounds of the World Open Water Swimming Championships (long distance) in 2001 under the World Aquatics Federation and the supervision of the Emirates Swimming Federation. Additionally, in the same year, it hosted the Arab Championship under the Arab Swimming Federation and the UAE Federation.