- Title: Dubai’s annual boat race highlights contribution of pearl divers
- Date: 22nd May 2016
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) EVENT ORGANISER, SAID HAREB, SAYING: "The Gaffal race is one of the most important traditional races celebrated by all to revive our historical heritage, the heritage of our ancestors, and to revive the ancient diving expeditions that our ancestors practised, crossing long distances, sometimes months at a time."
- Embargoed: 6th June 2016 13:10
- Keywords: Sailing pearl divers boats Dubai UAE
- Location: DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
- City: DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
- Country: United Arab Emirates
- Topics: Sport,Yachting / Sailing
- Reuters ID: LVA0034IW21JP
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The annual Al Gaffal Dhow race, celebrating 26 years since its establishment, set off this season with 112 participating sail boats that raced to the finish line in an event designed to celebrate the contributions of the city's ancient pearl divers.
The race began at dawn on Friday (May 20) from the uninhabited island of Sur Bu Na'air, some 50 nautical miles off Dubai's coast and ended several hours later near Dubai's famous Palm shaped island.
The race also marks the end of Dubai's sailing season as temperatures begin to climb above 40 degrees centigrade and humidity levels begin to rise.
"Today's race carries a message to future generations. The Gaffal race highlights what the ancestors endured in the process of diving for pearls, the sea trade and fishing trade. The race comes at the end of our sports season, and with its end, comes the close of our season," said one organiser, Hazeem al Gamzi.
More than 3,000 sailors participated in the race this year, sailing the 60 foot long traditional dhow sail boats that were historically used by the pearl divers, merchants and fisherman of the Emirate state.
Historically, natural pearls were symbols of style and an important indicator of wealth and status in the Middle East.
Until the decline of the natural pearl market, local fishermen throughout the Gulf used to dive deep into the waterway's warm waters, hunting for the pearls which provided a main source of income for many people.
The island itself is where the pearl divers used to stop and rest after months at sea before the final leg of their journey to Dubai's port.
"The Gaffal race is one of the most important traditional races celebrated by all to revive our historical heritage, the heritage of our ancestors, and to revive the ancient diving expeditions that our ancestors practised, crossing long distances, sometimes months at a time," said organiser, Said Hareb.
The origins of the dhow, famous for its lateen sails, remains a point of debate with some historians arguing they were first built by the Arabs or Indians, while others claim they originate in China.
The vessels were designed for carrying heavy loads of traded goods.
First place was awarded to the "Al Namousa", owned by one of the UAE's sheikhs. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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