Jumping into the water with good intentions

Dubai: Over 600 swimmers took to the waters around the Burj Al Arab Hotel on Friday as part of an event to raise funds for extending medical assistance in less privileged countries.

Proceeds from the event, which fetched over Dh116,000, will go to Medecines Sans Frontieres, a humanitarian medical organisation which provides life-saving emergency medical care in more than 60 countries worldwide.

According to Kourtwe Schaefar, the events and partnership coordinator, each participant added roughly Dh27,000 to the charity fund.

The race, organised by the Jumeirah Group, a hotel and hospitality management company, included three non-competition heats and a competitive heat in which 160 swimmers participated.

The competitive event saw the participants cutting a one-kilometre arc around the Burj Al Arab after starting off from the left of the landmark structure.

"I was a bit nervous initially because I had recognised some people from other swimming competitions and had never thought I would win," said Ben Parnell, a British expatriate who ranked first in the men's competitive category.

"This is the first time we are attending this event and I hope poor people around the world will benefit [from the proceeds]. I got to know about the event on the website. It is an excellent way to spend the holiday," said Jennifer Hedges, an American.

Schoolgoers pass test

Jordan Cass, a 15-year-old from South Africa, had other goals on her mind. "I took part in this race so that I can tell my classmates that I swam around one of world's best hotels," said Cass, a student of Dubai American Academy School.

Nat Guney, 15, said, "This was a tough competition because we had to swim for a kilometre but at the same time it was exciting and challenging as we had to swim around the Burj."

Around 100 lifeguards from Wild Wadi were at hand to ensure the safety of the partipants in the water.