Dubai International Marine Club has a rich history of developing and promoting modern sailing in the UAE. The first modern sailing school in the country was established thanks to DIMC's efforts, and the first national team with great hopes and ambitions in international championships and competitions was launched in 1999. This team presented a special program, including camps and training according to the highest global standards.
These programs and initiatives have significantly contributed to discovering a distinguished generation of athletes who have succeeded in participating in major global championships. Among these notable athletes are the Olympic champion Adel Khalid, who participated in the Beijing Olympics in 2008, and Youssef Bin Lahj, who won the Al Bareh Championship in Bahrain and achieved a qualifying record for the Athens Olympics in 2004.
DIMC also initiated the idea of establishing the Sea Dubai Team, which participated in the RC 44 modern sailing world championship, competing with global sailors such as New Zealanders Dean Barker and Russell Coutts, Americans James Spithill and Paul Cayard, Frenchman Sébastien Col, and Italian Francesco Bruni.
DIMC's efforts were not limited to developing modern sailing but also organising various world championships such as the Hobie Cat 16 World Championship in 1996, the Topper World Championship in 1995, the G 22 Match Race World Championship in 1999, and the RC 44 and Match Race World Championships. DIMC also hosted the Al Maktoum Modern Sailing Award.
In 2012, DIMC was chosen to host the Brazilian national sailing team's camp for the World Youth Games in Singapore. In 2016, DIMC hosted a training camp for the Extreme Sailing Series, in addition to holding the annual conference of the organising committee
Dubai International Marine Club continues its packed schedule of sporting events this weekend. The curtain came down yesterday, Friday, on the second round of the Kayak Fishing Competition, which saw outstanding participation from various segments of the community. The competitions were held at Jebel Ali Beach in Dubai. Attention now turns to tomorrow, Sunday, for the conclusion of the second round of the Dubai Aquabike Race, which kicked off today, Saturday, amid extremely strong competition across the event’s 13 categories.
In the second round of the Kayak Fishing Competition, the contests were highly competitive, with very close results in the weights of the fish caught, reflecting the high level of professionalism and skill displayed by participants.
In the Total Weight category, Mohammed Azmi secured first place with a total of 20 kg, followed by Ryan Vasquez in second place with 18.65 kg, and Nader Ahmed in third place with 17.80 kg.
In the Kingfish (Kanaad) category, Andrew Sourianosos took first place with a fish weighing 18.95 kg, followed by Mehrdad Amini in second place with 16.30 kg, and Mohammed Owais Shah in third place with 10.55 kg.
Mohammed Al Marri, Director of the Sports Affairs Department at Dubai International Marine Club, crowned the top finishers and praised the precision they demonstrated during the competitions, noting that kayak fishing requires a high level of balance and concentration. He explained that competitive standards risen in the second round of this competition, which continues to gain increasing interest and participation within the club’s diverse seasonal sports calendar. These events aim to attract all segments of the community to practice various marine sports, while also diversifying competition venues to take advantage of Dubai’s exceptional beaches along its coastline.
Al Marri added that the busy events program continues over the coming days, as Jebel Ali Beach will also host the final races of the second round of the Dubai Aquabike Race —an event that enjoys strong popularity and participation across all age groups.
The Dubai Aquabike Race competitions will feature 13 categories, including: Ski Division GP1 and GP2; Runabout GP1, GP2, GP3, and GP4; Veterans GP4 (2-Stroke); Ski Junior GP3 3.1; Ski Junior GP3 3.2; Ski Junior GP3 3.3; and Freestyle and Hydrofly.
