By the late 1970s, Santa Claus had one port of call in Ras Al Khaimah. Photo courtesy: Erik Johansen
A regatta in the Maaridh harbour at the RAK Sailing Club in November, 1989. Courtesy: Michelle Leboutte.
Elizabeth Mclean, left, and fellow thespians perform the annual Christmas pantomime at the RAK Sailing Club in 1994. Courtesy: Michelle Leboutte.
RAK Sailing Club was a popular venue for dances and New Year's Eve parties, like this one in the 1980s. Courtesy: Michelle Leboutte.
Cynthia Leboutte unwinds at the RAK Sailing Club in the early 1990s. "It was a place to relax and pass the time, catch up with friends.” Courtesy: Michelle Leboutte.
Santa Claus arrives by helicopter at the RAK Sailing Club in 1985. Courtesy: Erik Johansen.
Michelle Leboutte receives a gift from Santa Claus at the Sailing Club in the 1980s. Courtesy: Michelle Leboutte.
Christmas pantomimes were amongst the seasonal traditions at the RAK Sailing Club for many decades. Courtesy: Michelle Leboutte
Cynthia Leboutte and her daughter Joelle explore the Maaridh habour with friends at the Sailing Club in the late 1980s. Courtesy: Michelle Leboutte
Adam Watson, centre, celebrates a birthday at the RAK Sailing Club with his friends David and Richard Mottershead, in January, 1993. Courtesy: MIchelle Leboutte.
Sailing competitions were sponsored by Grindlays Bank, British Bank of the Middle East, Union Cement Co, Norcem Norway and Air France. Courtesy: Michelle Leboutte.
Barbara Couldray, 77, has been sailing since 1981 and won two of the three races held at the RAK Sailing Club in Ras al Khaimah, June 3, 2011. Jeff Topping / The National
The RAK Free Trade Zone team, right in white, compete against the Al Shaheen Adventure Training team, left in blue, during the autumn rowing regatta on December 11, 2010. Amy Leang / The National
Tasha Brown (L) hands six-week-old Axel Brahier to his mother Nina (C) as his father Stan (R) looks on inside the RAK Sailing Club in Ras al Khaimah, June 6, 2011. Jeff Topping / The National
The Ras Al Khaimah Sailing Association hosts an autumn rowing regatta in traditional Emirati boats at their club on December 11, 2010. Amy Leang / The National
Bruce Gunn plays the 12 fates in the 2006 production of Hercules directed by Darcy Harris. Courtesy David Campbell
Michelle Deegan plays the Sea Witch in a Raksa pantomime. Courtesy David Campbell
Richard Summerfield plays Elvis King of Thebes, with the Fates Kate Hall and Dawn Arrol in the 2006 production of Hercules. Courtesy David Campbell.
Zeus (Ray Sheehan), Hera (Paul Hudson), Petal (Sophie Glanville), Bacchus (Christine Champion) and Narcissus (Christie Grieve) in the 2006 production of Hercules. Courtesy David Campbell
