Abu Al Abyad Dhow Sailing Race To Celebrate UAE Maritime Heritage Next Saturday

The Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club is set to host the Abu Al Abyad Dhow Sailing Race for the 60ft category this coming Saturday. This event is held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region. It marks the second round in this category as part of the club’s traditional racing programme for the current season, aiming to preserve the UAE’s maritime heritage.

Registration for the race is now open on the club's official website, where participants can find detailed conditions and regulations. These include updates to rules and logistical details introduced last season, which have been positively received by dhow owners, captains, and sailors. The starting location and distance will be announced later, depending on weather conditions.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club, praised the leadership's unwavering support for heritage sports, particularly maritime traditions. He highlighted that this support has played a crucial role in strengthening connections between generations, ensuring that ancestral legacies are preserved and passed on in all their richness.

He expressed gratitude for H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan's patronage, emphasising its importance in enhancing the event’s significance for participants, organisers, and spectators alike. Valuable prizes have been allocated for winners and top finishers to encourage participation.

Sheikh Mohammed remarked that "The 60ft dhow sailing races are the most prestigious category, attracting the most skilled captains and sailors." These races symbolise significant challenges once faced by seafarers and celebrate heroic voyages of ancestors who relied on the sea for livelihood and trade.

The Abu Al Abyad Race is a key event in the season's calendar, consistently witnessing significant participation and intense competition. The dhows will sail towards a finish line near Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club on the Abu Dhabi Corniche.

This race continues to play an essential role in preserving cultural heritage while fostering community engagement through traditional sports. As anticipation builds for this weekend's event, it promises to be a memorable occasion celebrating both history and skill on the water.

With inputs from WAM