Pursuit race: Taking part in a fun, new sea-faring hobby is plain sailing in Dubai


Katy Gillett
  • English
  • Arabic

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'.

About 20 boats join in the pursuit race every week. Chris Whiteoak / The National
About 20 boats join in the pursuit race every week. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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.

Marie Byrne has been sailing for 20-plus years, and takes part in the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club's pursuit race every week. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Marie Byrne has been sailing for 20-plus years, and takes part in the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club's pursuit race every week. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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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While you're here
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
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Rating: 2/5 stars
Produced by: Dharma Productions, Azure Entertainment
Directed by: Robby Grewal
Cast: John Abraham, Mouni Roy, Jackie Shroff and Sikandar Kher 

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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

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Directed by: Anubhav Sinha
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Sayani Gupta, Zeeshan Ayyub
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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
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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

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1987

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1921

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Results

57kg quarter-finals

Zakaria Eljamari (UAE) beat Hamed Al Matari (YEM) by points 3-0.

60kg quarter-finals

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63.5kg quarter-finals

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Mohammed Mardi (UAE) beat Ahmad Ondash (LBN) by points 2-1.

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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

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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
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Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products

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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