The Dubai Traditional Rowing Championship – 30ft kicks off this Saturday on the waters of Dubai Canal, organized by Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC).
This season marks the 28th edition of the championship since it was launched in the 1996-1997 season, in line with the vision of the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The event has steadily grown, becoming an annual fixture on the club's agenda. It has played a pivotal role in transforming from a local event into a popular Gulf sports gathering, one of the most exciting traditional races in the region.
Before the start of the current season, the club, in coordination with boat owners and captains, implemented new specifications for the shape of the boats, and new measurements were approved to ensure the sustainability of this heritage. These changes are part of an effort to align the competition with the club’s regulations. The race will be divided into two categories: one for local teams, and another for teams from the Gulf Cooperation Council, as well as boats from companies and institutions.
Mohammed Al Marri, Director of Sports Affairs at DIMC, said: "For the first time, participants will compete within one month for the titles of the first and second rounds of the Dubai Championship, starting next Saturday and continuing on Saturday, the 23rd of this month. These races will qualify them for the 27th edition of the Al Maktoum Cup, which is scheduled for Saturday, the 30th of this month, as the closing ceremony for the Dubai Championship for Traditional Rowing Races – 30ft."
Al Marri emphasized the importance of early collaboration with success partners from government departments and national institutions to ensure the event’s success. The race will take place in its usual location in Al Jaddaf Walk, near the Dubai Creek Wildlife Sanctuary.
The club also announced the opening of registration for the upcoming race, which will remain open until Friday, with the entry list being announced prior to race day on Saturday, where the participants will have the draw and pre-race meeting.
1997
It’s worth mentioning that the first Dubai Traditional Rowing Race – 30ft was held on 7th March 1997, with 12 boats competing in one round. The title was won by the crew of boat no. 2, Fatah Al Moeen, led by Captain Khalifa Ali Al Nazr.
Schedule :
Dubai Water Canal near Dubai Creek at Al Jaddaf Walkway will witness one of the major traditional races today, set to begin at 3 PM. The event marks the first round of the Dubai Traditional Rowing Race (part of the Dubai Championship 2024-2025), organized by the Dubai International Marine Club as part of the current season.
Today’s event will bring together more than 40 boats, carrying up to 400 sailors, including citizens of the UAE, participants from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and residents who are fans of this sport. Competitors will vie in two categories: one designated for local boats for UAE citizens and the other as an open category for teams from government departments, national institutions, and boats representing GCC countries.
Dubai International Marine Club has finalized all preparations to ensure the event's success in collaboration with strategic partners, boat owners, and participants. The race venue at Al Jaddaf Walkway, opposite the Dubai Creek Wildlife Sanctuary and near the Swiss School, will be transformed into a lively festival. Activities include the arrival of boats, briefings, and the race draw, all leading up to the race start at 3 PM.
The participating boats will cover a 2.3-kilometer distance, starting from the depths of the Dubai Water Canal near Business Bay with a view of Burj Khalifa. After the green flag is raised, they will head towards the finish line, located opposite the waterfront at Festival City.
Early preparations
Mohammed Al Marri, Director of Sports Affairs at the Dubai International Marine Club, stated: "The club began its preparations for the 30ft Traditional Rowing Race before the start of the current season, in collaboration with the boat owners and captains. The new specifications were implemented on the boats, and their updated measurements were approved."
Al Marri confirmed that the club’s initiatives received an unprecedented response from owners and captains, emphasizing the public interest and the sustainability of this heritage sport. These efforts aim to enhance the competitions, which include two categories: the first being the (local) category for UAE citizens, and the second (open) category for teams from the GCC as well as boats representing companies and institutions.
He added that, for the first time, boats will compete in three rounds within one month as part of the Dubai Championship 2024-2025. These include the first and second rounds, held today and next Saturday, the 23rd of this month. The qualifiers, based on the general ranking results, will lead to the most prestigious race of the season: the 27th edition of the Al Maktoum Cup, which will serve as the third and final round on Saturday, the 30th of this month.
Open invitation
Mohammed Al Marri extended an open invitation to the public to attend and enjoy the race today at its iconic location in the heart of Dubai, along the Jaddaf Walk. The event will take place on the waters of the Dubai Water Canal, between the Festival City and Business Bay facades, and near the Dubai Creek Wildlife Sanctuary.
28
The Dubai Traditional Rowing Race 30ft celebrates its 28th edition this season, tracing its origins back to the 1996-1997 season. The race was established under the visionary idea of its founder, the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Since its inception, the race has witnessed remarkable success, evolving from a local event into a prominent Gulf sports gathering. Over the years, it has become a cornerstone of the club's annual agenda, playing a pivotal role in its development and widespread appeal. Today, it stands as one of the most exciting and celebrated traditional marine sports in the region.
1997
It’s worth mentioning that the first Dubai Traditional Rowing Race – 30ft was held on 7th March 1997, with 12 boats competing in one round. The title was won by the crew of boat no. 2, Fatah Al Moeen, led by Captain Khalifa Ali Al Nazr.
Schedule :
Ghazi 96, owned by Sheikh Saoud Bin Sorour Al Sharqi and captained by Ahmed Saeed Salem Al-Rumaithi, was crowned champion of the Dubai Traditional Rowing Race, the first round of the Dubai Championship 2024-2025. The event was successfully organized by the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) as part of the current season’s calendar of activities.
Meanwhile, Belarab 44, representing the Oman Marine Sports Committee and led by Humaid Salim Al Bahri, claimed first place in the open class run, a category designated for teams from government departments, private institutions, and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
The race, held on Saturday on the waters of the Dubai Water Canal, was a resounding success, featuring over 400 sailors aboard 41 boats. The competition was divided into two rounds: the local class run included 23 boats, while the open class run saw 18 boats competing for top honors. Participants covered a challenging 2.3 km course, starting from the Business Bay front and finishing at the entrance of Dubai Creek near the Dubai Creek Wildlife Sanctuary.
Ghazi 96, competing in the Dubai Championship for the first time, delivered an exceptional performance, securing first place in the local class run. It outperformed last season’s titleholder, Al Asifa 36, owned by Hamdan Saeed Jaber and captained by Bader Abdul Hakim Mohammed Thani, which finished second. Third place was claimed by Men Jumeirah 4, owned by Butti Mosbeh Al-Ghasheesh and captained by Tariq Al Mansouri.
In the open class run, Belarab 44, last year’s Al Maktoum Cup champion, continued its winning streak, taking first place. It was followed by F3 (89), owned by Hamdan Saeed Jaber and captained by Bader Abdul Hakim Mohammed Thani, in second place, and Barq 63, owned by Sheikh Saif bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed and captained by Ali Sanad Ali Al Hammadi, in third.
The event was attended by Mohammed Abdullah Harib, Board Member and CEO of DIMC , and Mohammed Saif Al Marri, Director of Sports Affairs at the Club, who presented awards to the winners of both rounds. Al Marri praised the support provided by government departments and national institutions, along with the dedication of the owners, captains, and sailors, whose cooperation greatly contributed to the event’s success. He also extended his congratulations to all winners and participants.
The Dubai Traditional Rowing Race will continue next Saturday with the second and final round of the championship. The combined results from both rounds will determine which top-performing boats qualify for the prestigious 28th Al Maktoum Cup Traditional Rowing Race.
Results:
Local Class Run
Open Class Run
