Recycled raft race

Combining creativity with a love for the environment, Island Global Yachting Marina has teamed up with Dubai Festival City to hold a boat race like you've never seen before.

In its second year running, competitors in the Gulf News-sponsored event titled ‘Whatever Floats your Boat' will combine artistic skills with scavenging aptitudes to fashion out boats made out of recyclable material and then race them on November 13 on the 200 metre stretch at Festival Marina, Dubai Festival City. Corporate and individual sponsorship for each team of four is Dh10,000. All proceeds, to be donated to the Emirates Marine Environmental Group, will go towards protecting the endangered hawksbill turtle, native to the Arabian Gulf, whose natural habitat is fast disappearing.

Competitors will race against each other under two categories — schools and corporate — and will have a chance of winning under the best dressed team, most imaginative boat and boat that has the most points.

Last year's event, which saw an abundance of empty water bottles tied, hemmed and woven into makeshift boats, generated Dh100,000 in sponsorship that went towards the ‘Clean-up UAE' campaign that collected 140.5 tonnes of waste across the nation.

"The number of teams participating this year has doubled from last year's figures," says Aditi Daga, PR and Marketing Manager, Dubai Festival City.

There will be 30 boats in total — 17 built by schools and 13 by corporate firms.

"There will be a live band throughout the day and restaurants all along the promenade. The boats will be on display along the scenic waterfront from today for the public to choose their favourite boat in the run-up to the event. The racing teams will get points for crowd support, so non-participants have a huge role to play," says Daga.

Aya Lowe works with ANM magazines

Teaming spirit

Both Gulf News and Al Nisr Media (ANM) have put their best boating feet forward by entering two teams for the ‘Whatever floats your boat' event. Gnus team members from Gulf News are Dawn Montgomery, Managing Editor for Supplements and Contract Publishing; Felice Marcuccilli, Business Process Manager; Marclino Fernandes, Business Application Manager; and Kelly Crane, tabloid! Reporter. The ANM team is called Paper Chase, and comprises Christopher List, photographer; Lena Moosa, Features Editor, Inside Out; Aya Lowe, Sub Editor, Freehold Monthly; and Alexandra Westcott, Sub Editor/Writer for Friday magazine.