Giant dhows to kickstart season

Dubai: After a four-month break for summer, the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) is set for a new season of watersports activities.

The DIMC calendar is choc-a-bloc with back-to- back events, starting from this month to June 2009 with races from traditional dhow sailing to the Class III powerboat, rowing to modern sailing and the UIM-WPPA Class I World Powerboat Championship.

Besides these are the modern watersports activities such as the Maktoum Sailing Trophy, Russell Coutts 44, Keel Boat as well as the Shamal Dubai.

Kicking off the season is the Dubai traditional dhow sailing race in the 43 feet category, which will take place tomorrow at Mina Seyahi. The first in a series of three heats spread over the season, it will be conducted on a course set by Saeed Hareb, Managing Director of DIMC.

A new feature this year is the Sea Dubai Watersports Festival, which will mark a fortnight of interesting watersport activities around the lagoon of the Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina.

The jet-ski races are a delight for the spectators.