Abu Dhabi: The UAE represents fertile territory for wakesurfing stars to emerge, according to leading wakesurfer and coach Dominic Lagace, who hopes to nurture budding talent here.
The Canadian will be holding wakesurfing clinics between 8am and 12pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday as part of the Yas Boat Festival at Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi.
Wakesurfing is a watersport in which a rider trails behind a boat, riding the boat’s wake without being directly pulled by the boat.
“It’s a sport for everybody, from young kids to older people; a really nice, family sport,” Lagace, who came second and third at the 2013 and 2011 World Wake Surf Championships respectively, told Gulf News. “It’s low impact and a low-injury sport, too.”
Lagace added that the UAE’s weather and natural environment mean the sport should prosper here — if participants can display passion and commitment.
“I am sure I can make rivals out of people if they come to the half-hour clinics,” he said. “The UAE has really good weather all year long and nice water and stuff.
“I am sure we can develop kids and make them into champions. If you come to my clinics, for sure you’re going to love it and get hooked. We just want to find people that really love the sport and want to push it.”
The annual Yas Marina Boat Festival, which is being held on Friday and Saturday, will feature plenty other aquatic activities for the whole family to enjoy.
There will be a ‘Wake Kicker Exhibition’ featuring the UAE’s top wakeboard riders, for example, between 3pm and 8pm on each day.
Spectators can watch as extreme athletes do flips and tricks over a jump inside the marina. Although it is not a contest, there will be a host of amusing prizes on the day, including ‘Best Crash’, ‘Best Trick’ and ‘Best Height’.
For more information on, and bookings for, the wakesurfing clinics, call 050-1669396 or email info@eywoa.com.
For more information on the Boat Festival, visit www.yasmarina.ae/boat-festival.
