• The crew of the 'Namran', owned by Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan bin Zayed, celebrate after crossing the finish line near Dubai, in the Al Gaffal long-distance dhow sailing race, on Friday. AFP
    The crew of the 'Namran', owned by Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan bin Zayed, celebrate after crossing the finish line near Dubai, in the Al Gaffal long-distance dhow sailing race, on Friday. AFP
  • Dhows race towards the finish line of the Al Gaffal, with the Dubai Eye in the background. AFP
    Dhows race towards the finish line of the Al Gaffal, with the Dubai Eye in the background. AFP
  • The event featured 106 traditional sailing vessels, racing from Sir Bu Nair island, about 103 kilometres west of Dubai, to the Dubai Eye on Bluewaters Island. AFP
    The event featured 106 traditional sailing vessels, racing from Sir Bu Nair island, about 103 kilometres west of Dubai, to the Dubai Eye on Bluewaters Island. AFP
  • The 'Namran' with Bluewaters Island in the background. AFP
    The 'Namran' with Bluewaters Island in the background. AFP
  • The event resumed in 2021, after being suspended due to Covid-19 restrictions in 2020. AFP
    The event resumed in 2021, after being suspended due to Covid-19 restrictions in 2020. AFP
  • The dhow race celebrates the UAE's pearl fishing culture, in which the traditional sailing vessel played an integral role. AFP
    The dhow race celebrates the UAE's pearl fishing culture, in which the traditional sailing vessel played an integral role. AFP
  • An 18-metre dhow competing in the Al Gaffal. EPA
    An 18-metre dhow competing in the Al Gaffal. EPA
  • Dhows under full sail during the Al Gaffal race. Traditionally, the main pearl fishing season was from between June 1 and September 30. EPA
    Dhows under full sail during the Al Gaffal race. Traditionally, the main pearl fishing season was from between June 1 and September 30. EPA
  • Dhow crew members take the strain during the Al Gaffal. In the past, dhows would carry divers to oyster beds to harvest pearls. EPA
    Dhow crew members take the strain during the Al Gaffal. In the past, dhows would carry divers to oyster beds to harvest pearls. EPA
  • Al Gaffal is the biggest traditional sailing race in the world. EPA
    Al Gaffal is the biggest traditional sailing race in the world. EPA
  • A dhow crew raise the sails on their vessel. EPA
    A dhow crew raise the sails on their vessel. EPA
  • A dhow rides the waves during the Al Gaffal long-distance race. EPA
    A dhow rides the waves during the Al Gaffal long-distance race. EPA
  • Crew members of the 'Namran', which is owned by Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan bin Zayed, celebrate at the finish line of the Al Gaffal in Dubai. EPA
    Crew members of the 'Namran', which is owned by Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan bin Zayed, celebrate at the finish line of the Al Gaffal in Dubai. EPA

Gulf

Al Gaffal dhow racing in Dubai – in pictures

Traditional sailing ships race 103 kilometres from Sir Bu Nair island to the Dubai Eye

The National

June 05, 2021

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