Surfski great gives Dubai masterclass

Dubai: Eleven-time world surfski champion Oscar Chalupsky is planning to become a regular visitor to Dubai.

The 44-year-old South African is currently in the city to conduct a number of paddling classes and took to the warm water at Le Meridien Mina Seyahi last night for the first of these.

Tonight will also see the former Olympian taking part in the Epic Chase Series, a fun race, with members of the Dubai Surfski and Kayak Club at 6:00pm.

Chalupsky owns boat and paddle manufacturing company Epic Kayaks with two time Olympic gold medallist Greg Barton and, along with promoting his brand, travels around the world to impart his paddling expertise.

"The conditions are magnificent for paddling here in Dubai," Chalupsky told Gulf News yesterday. "It's nice and warm and the water is flat.

"The most important thing for people to realise is that you don't have to be a super athlete to start paddling because it's not like running where you have to carry your whole body weight.

"And the furthest anyone here lives from the water is about 10km so the sport is growing fast and it's important to get the right instruction."

Chalupsky said he was unlikely to produce a "Tiger Woods" of paddling in just one lesson but has committed to returning to the city on a regular basis to continue coaching.

"It's important that once this is established, to come back here to keep it going," he said, confirming that he will return to the city for the second Dubai Shamaal from November 29-30 which will form part of the international surfski series and bring together some of the top names in the sport.

This year's event has been timed to coincide with the Dubai Rugby 7s and the SeaDubai Festival and has a total of $35,000 (Dh130,000) in prize money on offer.

Meanwhile, tomorrow's coaching sessions will be conducted from 6:00-8:00am and from 5:00-7:00pm at Le Meridien, Mina Seyahi. Anyone interested in more information can call Dubai Surfski and Kayak Club committee member Ian Kingon on 050 6546116.