Every Tuesday night, at least 20 boats head out to sea from the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club. One by one the crews set sail, staggering their starts from 5pm, depending on their handicap. Whichever boat and crew is in the lead come 7pm, they're the winners for the evening. This, for anyone who is unfamiliar with sailing terminology, is a pursuit race.
“It’s very good fun and I’ve been doing it for years and years,” says Marie Byrne, a sailing instructor and regular participant in the club’s race. She says it’s good for everyone, from beginners to advanced sailors.
You never stop learning. Sailing is one of the best hobbies in the world
"It's very friendly and afterwards there are small prizes for first, second and third," she says. "There's a nice atmosphere and you can have dinner at the club afterwards, get to know people. If you're selected, you could become part of a crew. And then you can come every Tuesday and it can be a little hobby and a midweek break. It's very attractive – or at least I think it is!"
Byrne has been sailing for more than 20 years, having been a hang-glider pilot for about a decade before that. She got into sailing quite by accident. "One day I happened to be in the Canary Islands and someone suggested going on a yacht for a couple of days to see what it's like," she explains. "After about an hour they asked if I wanted to take the wheel. Well, the moment I took the wheel I felt I'd come home. I thought, 'this is my sport, this is the one I've been looking for'.
It's interesting on so many levels – there's navigation, maintenance and the sailing itself. You never stop learning. It's one of the best hobbies in the world."
Join Dubai's sailing community
It was the America's Cup that brought the Irishwoman to the UAE in 2009. "It was supposed to be in Ras Al Khaimah in March 2010, so I took a job as a special needs teacher out in Sharjah in September, so I could be close to RAK and go sailing there," she says.
The cup was cancelled that year, but Byrne stayed on, moving to Dubai, where she soon got involved with the offshore sailing club. "I then bought a boat, and bought another one, and there you go," she says. Now she works with the club, but also teaches and gives one-on-one sailing sessions, too.
To be a sailor, she says, it's not about physical strength, but about the skills you learn. "It's a slow sport. You can be moving at one nautical mile per hour, or even six or 10," she says. "Mostly, you're going at four or five. It's for people who want to learn the skills, how to get a boat to do what you want at that kind of speed … it's about managing the sails, how to set the sails and so on.
That’s the real mark of a sailor – how well you can get your boat to sail and how fast you can go in the limits of what you’ve got.”
While she also gets involved with various competitions and other events, she doesn't miss a Tuesday pursuit race. Every week, you'll find Byrne out on her boat, Dreams, setting sail with the other participants. In order to join, you have to be or know a member, but Byrne is always happy to welcome new crew members. "You simply need to get there on time and be reliable," she says. "Also, you should have an interest in the sport itself and be willing to learn the skills. If they're already a sailor, then great. If they simply want to learn, that's fine too."
First-timers come back week after week, learn new skills, and some even join the small but strong community of sailors in the UAE and wider region. "See how you get on. It's up to you then to see if it's for you," says Byrne.
While Byrne naturally believes sailing is a great hobby, she also admits it's not for everyone. "Some people hate it, some people get seasick, some people can't understand why other people are so fascinated with it," she says with a laugh. "But for those who find something in it, it's captivating. You become obsessed."
For more information about the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club, go to www.dosc.ae
Essentials
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.
Where to submit a sample
Volunteers of all ages can submit DNA samples at centres across Abu Dhabi, including: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), Biogenix Labs in Masdar City, NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City, NMC Royal Medical Centre, Abu Dhabi, NMC Royal Women's Hospital, Bareen International Hospital, Al Towayya in Al Ain, NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
Tickets
Tickets start at Dh100 for adults, while children can enter free on the opening day. For more information, visit www.mubadalawtc.com.
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
THE LOWDOWN
Romeo Akbar Walter
Rating: 2/5 stars
Produced by: Dharma Productions, Azure Entertainment
Directed by: Robby Grewal
Cast: John Abraham, Mouni Roy, Jackie Shroff and Sikandar Kher
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
The Details
Article 15
Produced by: Carnival Cinemas, Zee Studios
Directed by: Anubhav Sinha
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Sayani Gupta, Zeeshan Ayyub
Our rating: 4/5
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
The years Ramadan fell in May
Results
57kg quarter-finals
Zakaria Eljamari (UAE) beat Hamed Al Matari (YEM) by points 3-0.
60kg quarter-finals
Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) beat Hyan Aljmyah (SYR) RSC round 2.
63.5kg quarter-finals
Nouredine Samir (UAE) beat Shamlan A Othman (KUW) by points 3-0.
67kg quarter-finals
Mohammed Mardi (UAE) beat Ahmad Ondash (LBN) by points 2-1.
71kg quarter-finals
Ahmad Bahman (UAE) defeated Lalthasanga Lelhchhun (IND) by points 3-0.
Amine El Moatassime (UAE) beat Seyed Kaveh Safakhaneh (IRI) by points 3-0.
81kg quarter-finals
Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Ahmad Hilal (PLE) by points 3-0
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
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From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5