Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) recently celebrated its 35th anniversary and its entry into the thirty-sixth year, continuing its path of success and promoting marine sports in the Emirate of Dubai. The club began in 1988, specifically on the fifth of May organizing races for traditional sailing boats - 43ft, wooden powerboats, and motorboats, which marked the beginning of a giant edifice that welcomes marine sports enthusiasts in the country.

At the beginning of the 1990s decade, Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) became the first Arab and Middle Eastern country to join the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) for powerboat racing, thanks to the wise leadership's support, efforts of officials, and racers. This marked the entry into a new phase, establishing a pioneering and significant project in marine sports. 

The club officials have worked steadily to establish a strong foundation by introducing laws and regulations for various racing activities, with a focus on reviving the heritage of the United Arab Emirates, particularly traditional racing. The launch of the Al Gaffal Long Distance Race in 1991 was a significant step that directly impacted the development of these races, aimed at preserving the past closely linked to the sea as a source of prosperity and abundant livelihood.

Ahmad Saeed bin Meshar, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Dubai International Marine Club, expressed his gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, for his continuous support of various sectors in the emirate and his interest in preserving the legacy of the past and strengthening the national identity.

He also acknowledged and appreciated the follow-up and directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Dubai International Marine Club expressed his sincere gratitude and deep appreciation to everyone who played a role in building and developing the club for over three decades. This includes the previous boards of directors, success partners, and the Dubai Sports Council. He also thanked all the national institutions, federations, and committees in the country and international associations, which extended bridges of communication with the club and worked together for a better future for marine sports.

Ahmad Saeed bin Meshar stated that the completion of the Dubai International Marine Club's 35-year career is a testament to its pioneering and significant role in advancing sports and achieving future aspirations. He emphasized the importance of continuing excellence and the club's officials' pioneering role, which was inspired by wise leadership, leading the institution to achieve a prominent global, continental, and regional position. The club's mission of preserving the legacy of forefathers, discovering and nurturing talents, and promoting the emirate has also been greatly successful.

He confirmed that the club, established in 1988 and made a government agency responsible for organizing marine sports by a decree of the late Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 1994, has proven to be a giant institution that has achieved numerous successes. The club has become a motivation for the development of work and the continuation of successes, especially after the transformation witnessed by the club following the issuance of Decree No. (34) of 2019 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, in his capacity as the Ruler of the Emirate of Dubai, which added the Victory Team under the management of DIMC.  

Prominent Event

Dubai's beaches have been popularly known for marine races since the mid-1980s, and the Dubai International Marine Club has contributed greatly to establishing and laying the foundation for race laws and regulations in its 35 years of existence. The DIMC has launched several sporting events, including the 22ft Dhow Sailing Race in 1994, the 43ft Dhow Sailing Race in 1988, the 60ft Dhow Sailing Race in 1997, powerboat and Aquabike races, and modern events such as Fishing Competitions, Kitesurfing, Modern Sailing, Modern Rowing, and Flyboarding. However, the Al Gaffal Race remains the most prominent event every year, marking the conclusion of the season.

In terms of international events related to the World Championship, the club has distinguished itself by organizing the World Powerboat Championship since 1992, as well as Aquabike races in 1996, 2003, and 2017, and the XCAT. The club has also been recognized for promoting the concept of Olympic sports, such as Modern Sailing, and has hosted various championships, including the World Modern Sailing - ISAF in 1998, the Louis Vuitton Award in 2010, the Hobby Cat 16 World Championship in 1996, the World Topper Class Championship in 1995, the Match Race G22 in 1999, the RC44 World Championship (Match Race), and the Al Maktoum Award.  

One of the most important initiatives that contributed to the promotion of international modern sailing championships was the establishment of the club's global team named (Sea Dubai), which competed in the World Modern Sailing Championship RC44 and won many titles in several races in Austria, Italy, and the UAE.