It was a windy Saturday afternoon and everywhere I turned I saw crowds of surfers donning wetsuits and getting ready to take control of Dubai's waters.
I must admit, when I ventured down to Umm Suquiem, I didn't expect to see so many people surfing.
Since it was a weekend, it meant no work and all play for those wanting to catch waves — which were surprisingly massive.
Enthusiasts had rushed down to the beach at the very mention of possible “wave sightings'' and wasted no time jumping straight into the chilly sea.
Just right for beginners
Among the growing surfing community in Dubai, many believe the emirate is a good place to learn — as the waves are not as high or dangerous as other locations and experienced surfers seem pretty helpful in giving great pointers to beginners.
One such person is Graeme Fenton (known to his friends as “Dogg''), a pro surfer from Durban, South Africa.
He qualified for the South Africa Championships 11 times and was captain of his state team.
Fenton also won two Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) events. He is officially sponsored by O'Neill for wetsuits and clothing, and by Derek Girven for surfboards.
Although Fenton chose not to continue a career in surfing (he is now a Dubai-based projects director for Coffey Projects Middle East), he still manages to find time for the beach and to stay on top of the competition.
On any given windy day, you will probably spot him in the Dubai waters perfecting his award-winning skills.
Passion for the waves
“Surfing is not only an extreme sport, it's a culture. I grew up in Durban and for us it was a way of life,'' Fenton said.
“I was 15 when I started and I loved the glamour that came with it and the lifestyle of the pros who I aspired to be like.''
Fenton has been living in Dubai for the past six years and has noticed that the community of surfers is growing and getting stronger.
“Lots of teenagers are learning. And it is not just guys, girls are into the sport here as well because it's a great way to stay fit and healthy,'' Fenton said.
“And most good surf boards can be found in Al Boom Marine, Dubai, to fit the conditions here.''
When I was on the beach that day, I got talking to a few teenagers about how and why they started surfing.
Many said the thrill and challenge that comes with it was what attracted them while others said it was a fun way to hang out with friends.
Gone with the wind
The wind was blowing in all directions and many took advantage of this by doing tricks on the waves.
It was easy to see why it is classified as an extreme sport because not only do surfers have to worry about unpredictable weather conditions that can cause deathly waves but they also have to keep a look out for sharks and sea snakes.
However, it is also a creative sport because once you are in the water and you see a specific type of wave, you have to decide what manoeuvre you are going to try.
Fenton says the younger generation of surfers has helped to develop manoeuvres by adding to the creativity and making the sport more exciting. The music fan says people no longer looked at surfers as “beach bums''.
“The surfing culture is very similar to that of hip-hop because there are so many stereotypes that come with it — people used to think we are lazy and uneducated,'' he explained.
“I know doctors, architects and so many other very intelligent guys who get into it and it's that ‘zero to hero' mentality.''
There is at least one major surfing event a month around the world. The Dubai Shamal International Surf-Ski Race, is said to be the most expensive event here.
It attracts the world's best surf-ski competitors. (Fenton has won some of the contests and also came in second for the UAE).
The only problem is due to construction in the sea, Dubai's coastline seems to be decreasing, so the glamour attached to surfing may only be temporary.
“A few years back the stretch on Umm Suquiem beach was longer. We had lots of space, but its getting smaller and smaller. The only other beach surfers go to is in front of the Sheraton Jumeirah,'' he said.
“With the number of kids taking interest in the sport, it would be a shame to see that disappear.''
Tips for beginners
- You have to be able to swim well
- Get the Mini Mal (a bigger board for stability – you might even be able to stand on it the first day)
- Go for the small waves to avoid disappointment
- When you become more proficient – generate as much speed as possible and the manoeuvres will follow
- Invest in learning: Watch a surfing DVD, other people who are better than you, or get a friend to film you so you can improve on your movements
- Learn to duck-dive (under the wave while paddling out) as quickly as you can
- Feel the passion!
Surf manoeuvres
Graeme Fenton explains a few surfing manoeuvres
- Aerial — you ride up to the top of the wave and then launch out of the water into the air and then land back on the wave and continue riding (one of Graeme's favourites!)
- Lip ride — You race along the wave and as soon as the wave is about to break, you ride up and along the lip (top of the curling part of the wave) for as long as possible and then drop down to the bottom again.
- Tube ride — When the surfer gets inside the curl of the wave and rides as long as possible inside the curl.
PERSONALITY
Man behind the lens
The most challenging part of surfing photography is getting the shot while you are in the water, says Alan Norton, photographer and pilot for Emirates Airlines.
“I grew up in Cape Town so surfing was a culture, dream and hobby for me. I used to create a collage of surfers and different types of manoeuvres when I was a kid. Later I got into digital photography,'' said Norton.
When he's not flying, he is busy taking shots with Fenton, where he is actually in the water, helmet and all.
“This is the hardest part and it is dangerous! You cannot do a replay because you might not get another wave like that. So the positioning is very important,'' explained Norton
“In Dubai, there are very inconsistent breaks in the waves which is why it is very difficult to position yourself to get that perfect shot,'' he added.
With thousands of dirhams worth of equipment, Norton is always careful not to damage anything, especially the lens, which is why he always has his camera protected.
His incredible shots capture each manoeuvre with precision, making the action hard to ignore.
It is also hard to ignore the surfers' talent when you notice how much strength it takes to take on the waves while remaining absolutely balanced on the board.
The first day Norton and Fenton decided to work together, the shots ended up on the front page of a UAE newspaper.
