News

Abu Dhabi, UAE – November 5, 2025: The Organizing Committee of the Al Sila’ Marine Festival, in its fifth edition, has announced that the Al Sila’ 43-foot Dhow Sailing Race will take place on Saturday, November 8, 2025. The race is set to be one of the festival’s key heritage events, held along the shores of Al Sila’ in the Al Dhafra region from November 7 to 16. The festival is organized by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority and Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club, in strategic partnership with the Emirates Council for Balanced Development.

The committee has informed participants of the race course details, start and finish points, as well as the technical inspection schedules. It emphasized the importance of dhow owners adhering to all safety protocols and technical requirements to ensure the competition proceeds to the highest standards. Participants were also encouraged to uphold the authentic values and heritage spirit embodied in traditional marine racing, which reflects the deep-rooted Emirati cultural legacy.

The 43-foot dhow race attracts leading captains and crews from across the UAE, demonstrating the festival’s significance as an annual platform that brings together enthusiasts of traditional marine sports and reinforces their presence in both the sporting and tourism landscapes of the Al Dhafra region.

The organization of the race reflects the core mission of the Al Sila’ Marine Festival, which aims to promote traditional marine sports as an integral part of the UAE’s cultural heritage. It also supports efforts to highlight coastal cities, Emirati islands, and marine festivals, showcasing their tourism and economic potential. Additionally, the race plays an important role in preserving and passing on Emirati heritage and sana’a traditions to future generations, while contributing to economic development in the Al Dhafra region.