The Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) has announced that 76 traditional dhows will take to the waters on Saturday, 2nd November, competing in the second round of the 60ft Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing Race. This eagerly awaited event marks a continuation of the Dubai Championship series, which features four rounds. The championship kicked off earlier this month and will culminate in the prestigious Al Gaffal Long Distance Race, spanning from Sir Bu Nair Island to Dubai’s shores next year.
Saturday’s race will be the 97th in a celebrated sequence of competitions organised by DIMC since the introduction of the 60ft dhow sailing category in the 1992-1993 season. The dhows made their initial debut in the third edition of the Al Gaffal Race, alongside the smaller 43ft dhow class. This joint competition paved the way for the 60ft dhow to become an established category by the following season, cementing its status as a hallmark of the Al Gaffal Race from 1993-1994 onwards.
Historical Significance of Dhows in the UAE
Traditional dhows are more than just vessels of competition; they represent the cultural and economic heartbeat of the United Arab Emirates' maritime past. For centuries, dhows were the backbone of the UAE's seafaring tradition, integral to fishing, pearl diving, and trade. Before the discovery of oil transformed the nation's economy, dhows were essential for commerce, with their iconic triangular sails propelling Emirati merchants and pearl divers across the Arabian Gulf to trade with regional and international markets, including India and East Africa.
The dhow's significance extends beyond trade and commerce, encapsulating the spirit of endurance and ingenuity of the Emirati people. These wooden boats were expertly crafted by local shipbuilders, using knowledge passed down through generations. The annual dhow sailing races, therefore, serve as a living tribute to this rich heritage, celebrating a bygone era of maritime enterprise while ensuring that the skills and traditions of the past remain woven into the UAE's vibrant cultural tapestry.
The Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing Race, in particular, reflects this homage to history, with competitions like the Al Gaffal Race paying tribute to the pearl divers’ long journeys back from Sir Bu Nair Island, a vital pearl diving site. As the dhows set sail on Saturday, spectators will witness not just a race but a reenactment of a cultural legacy that continues to shape the identity of the UAE.
