News

UAE, Abu Dhabi – November 1, 2025: Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region, the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club has announced the opening of registration for the 43ft Dhow Sailing Race and the Barakah Al Bawanish Race, as part of the 5th Al Sila Marine Festival, taking place from November 7 to 16 in the Al Dhafra region.

The festival is organized by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority and the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club, in cooperation with several supporting partners.

The club explained that the 43ft Dhow Sailing Race will be held on November 8 or 9, with the final date to be confirmed in the coming days depending on weather conditions, while the Barakah Al Bawanish Race is scheduled for November 15 or 16, with the organizing committee announcing the exact timing closer to the event.

The Al Sila Marine Festival is considered one of the UAE’s most prominent heritage maritime festivals, combining traditional sailing races with community and cultural events that celebrate the authenticity of Emirati maritime heritage and honor the legacy of the forefathers on the shores of Al Dhafra.

Khalifa Al Rumaithi, Director of Heritage Races at the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club, extended his thanks to Sheikh Mohammed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Club’s Board of Directors, for his continuous support of both modern and traditional marine sports. He said:

“The Al Sila Marine Festival has become an annual landmark eagerly awaited by sea enthusiasts, as it embodies the values of heritage and national identity. With the launch of its fifth edition this year, we at the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club reaffirm our commitment to organizing heritage races that strengthen the connection of younger generations with the legacy of their ancestors, while cementing Al Sila’s position as a distinguished maritime destination on the national events map.”

Al Rumaithi added that the club has completed all logistical and technical preparations in coordination with relevant authorities, calling on boat owners and captains to register promptly through the club’s official platforms to ensure participation in this major heritage event.