07 Dec 2011
Dubai uncovers rowing
Monty’s rowing shed
© Photo by Jeannette Bennett
Situated along the trading route of the Arabian Gulf, the United Arab Emirates’ second largest city, Dubai, is learning to accommodate a small group of enthusiastic rowers.
In the heart of the Middle East, Dubai is best known for its fabulous shopping and large population of foreign residents who live there to make the most of the economic conditions. In this mix of residents is a woman with a passion for rowing.
Jeanette Bennett fell in love with the sport when she learned to row five years ago in Melbourne, Australia. When work took her to Dubai, Bennett’s biggest concern was her ability to continue to row. “Rowing had become a big part of my life and the thought of coming here (to Dubai) and not being able to row was too much.” Bennett saw that there was a good body of water running through Dubai and she started to ask questions.
When Bennett first arrived, it was the peak of last summer’s heat. Day temperatures would be as high as 50 degrees Celsius and the incentive to do anything outside, especially rowing, was not great. But tucked under tarpaulin covers at the Dubai Water Ski Club were a couple of singles boats brought to the city by Pakistani rower and Asian Games champion Monty Khwaja.
Renting space from the water ski club Khwaja now has a fleet of four boats and a keen group of interested people the Dubai Creek started to see some rowing action.
“I have about 45 adult rowers mostly women expats,” says Khwaja who has also just begun developing four high school rowers.
“Once the sun goes down in the summer its 35 degrees,” says Bennett who refuses to see any barriers to developing rowing in Dubai. The Dubai Creek offers consistently flat water which is enhanced by limited boating activity and, unlike Melbourne, Bennett says she has a four kilometre stretch without having to maneuver through a single bridge.
Dubai Creek with doha boats
© FISA
Although Bennett notes that rowing has attracted mainly expatriates, the United Arab Emirates has a history of rowing. The traditional wooden dhows were an important part of the trading world that developed around Dubai and dhows are still regularly seen on Dubai Creek. Expatriates have also brought longboats to the region and have competed in local regattas. Last October an indoor rowing competition was held with 30 teams competing. Most of the competitors came to the sport via the gym’s rowing machine.
Bennett is soon to meet with FISA’s development consultant for Asia, Chris Perry. Perry is hoping to set up a local federation and there are plans to build the first rowing club within the coming year.
Although Bennett sees herself returning to Australia in the future she does not want to leave Dubai before rowing has been established. “The bug has gotten me,” she says. “I have to spread the gospel. I want something set up before I go.”
Next up on the rowing calendar Khwaja is organising a rowathon to raise funds for emergency natural disasters and also towards purchasing an eight. Planned for March the rowathon has attracted Pakistani Olympian and Asian gold medallist Muhammad Akram.
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