Dubai uncovers rowing

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.

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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