The Volvo Ocean Race may be on a three-week hiatus but watersports lovers thirsty for action should flock to the Corniche this Friday for the Dragon Boat Racing Festival.
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The UAE Dragon Boat Association (UAE DBA) is teaming up with Abu Dhabi Sailing & Yacht Club to bring the fun and colour of dragon boat racing to the Corniche, in the shadow of the Volvo Ocean Race destination village.
Crews of men, women or mixed teams compete in one of two distances, either in the sprint 200m category or the marathon 2,000m.
Teams can either clamber aboard short boats (teams of 12 – eight men, four women) or full boats (teams of 20 – 14 men, six women).
Twenty-five teams will compete at the festival, with squads lined up into four categories: mixed 2,000m, mixed 200m, intermediate 200m and the ladies race.
Teams will be split into qualifying heats before the four finals conclude the day’s racing.
While some may doubt the popularity of dragon boat racing, UAE DBA technical director Jason Mackenzie says it has a big fan base.
“There’s actually 60 million registered dragon boat competitors around the world and it’s extremely big in Africa, Australia, New Zealand and China, while it’s been around in the UAE for about 10 years with approximately 6,000 dragon boats in the emirates.
“Dragon boat racing is something beautiful to watch, it’s very colourful and all about synchronicity.”
Al Bandar Dragon Boat Team, from Abu Dhabi, will be competing at the festival this weekend.
Club member Hussain Salah said: “The boat is divided into three areas and all three areas of the boat must be in sync.
“Seats one to three are the pacers, usually people who are lighter and shorter and who set the pace. Positions four to seven are the engine room, where we use people with the bigger muscles. Their job is to maintain the stroke rate of the pacers and create very powerful strokes.
“Eight to 10 is the turbo area, for lighter people but who are also very strong. They do the same job as those in the engine room but they make sure the boat is flying.”
Hussain added: “It’s a very tactical sport and all three areas have specific jobs.
“In long distance races, we change the pace every 25-30 strokes then we apply the finish kick in the final 100m.
“In the shorter distances, we just power all the way as it’s a sprint race.”
What: Dragon Boat Racing Festival
When: Friday from 09:00-17:00
Where: Corniche breakwater, Abu Dhabi
Cost: Free
Sport360° VERDICT: If you need a Volvo Ocean Race fix, the Dragon Boat Racing Festival is sure to quench your thirst for thrilling watersports action
Contact: Log on to www.dubaidragonboat.com for more information
