Dawn Patrol at the Dubai Marine Yacht Club

Hello Everyone. 

Well it has taken me over a year, but I have finally joined a Dragon Boat team in Dubai.  I have joined Dawn Patrol, so called because training during the week starts at 6am!  This may sound mad, but when the temperatures start to soar during the summer it will be a relief to be out on the water at that time, rather than in the evening when the heat of the day is still around.  As you can see from the photo the rest of the team are shy and quiet, so I fit in really well.

Navigating through Dubai Marina

The team was formed just under a year ago and has grown from 4 initial members to  now nearly 50.   The paddling style is to keep both arms straight at all times.  So if anyone remembers my poor technique this is quite a challenge.  The coach has resorted to strapping cellotape to my elbows to try to keep them straight!  We have two training locations.  On Saturdays we train in the Marina area, in some ways very similar to Henley, the posh end of town, motor launches to navigate around and the closest supermarket is Waitrose. One exception – no rowers. OK two exceptions – instead of trees lots of very tall buildings.

On Sunday and Wednesday mornings we train off the beach at Barasti. Slipping around on golden sands during warm up is far more pleasurable than slipping around on Thames mud and goose poo! The buildings in the background are on the famous Palm Jumeirah.




Due to the small number of clubs regattas here are organised with clubs and corporate teams racing at the same venue.  It adds up to a busy, noisy but very enjoyable day. Follow this link to se just how busy and see if you can spot me.

There has been one regatta so far.  All club races are over 500m.  Our first race was in the open competition.  We recorded a time of 2:15 and some, failing to qualify for the final.  Our second race was in the mixed competition.  We had to come in the top 2 or be the fastest third place to get to the final and a third race, otherwise our day was over. 



The race started with some drama.  At the start line a rope had been pulled across the marina at head height, the plan being for the helms to hold the rope behind them and then let go when the race started.  Unfortunately, when the race started there was not enough tension in the rope and it fell, snagging our tail.  There we were, paddling like mad and making no progress.  The race was re-stared and we came third with a time of 2:12 and some, but succeeded in making it to the final.  In the final, teams ran true to qualifying time and we came last.  However, one team had only men and another team only had two girls, so we gave ourselves a moral third place.

The whole day was very well organised and enjoyable.  Catering was something else, but despite the chefs hats and high cuisine they were sadly lacking on the bacon butty front.   The day ended with a party at Montgomerie’s, the hotel and golf course endorsed by Colin Montgomerie, with dancing under the stars and a buffet to end all buffets.

The next regatta is on the 3/4th April. So if anyone fancies a paddle in the sun let me know and I will see what I can do!

As we all know the world of Dragon Boating is very small.  Tina is working in Dubai and training with the UAE national team.  Claire did not do Dragon Boating in the UK, but she comes from Bourne End.

  Reporter:  Jamie, Dawn Patrol, Dubai (formerly of Henley Dragons)