Al Gharbia Watersports Festival 23.04.2015

A gentle breeze cools off the dozens of workers, busy with last minute set ups. On the usually quiet beach, cars and trucks keep coming in, bringing all sort of final supplies, anything from rowing boats to air-conditioning units and boxes of water.
A few dozen white, electrified tents have already erected along the beach, mostly for the use of organisers, sponsors and emergency services. There are showers, an open air stage, air-conditioned majlis and a caf too.
With just over an hour left till the start of the first event, pretty much everything seems to be ready for the start of the seventh Al Gharbia Watersports Festival.
This year the festival has attracted some 3000 participants of at least 20 different nationalities, all competing in about 10 different water and beach sport events.
In one race alone, the 60 feet dhow race, we have 2000 sailors taking part, said Obaid Khalfan Al Mazrouei, Manager of Al Gharbia Watersports Festival.
For this seventh edition of the festival, we have a mix of traditional and modern competitions. There are five different types of boat racing, as well as kite surfing competition and the beach competitions. Altogether, we have more than 15 activities at the festival this year, added Al Mazrouei.

Organised by the Cultural Programmes and Heritage Festivals Committee Abu Dhabi, in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Rulers Representative in the Western Region, Al Gharbia, in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the 10 days Al Gharbia Watersports Festival takes place in Mirfa from April 23 till May2.
Officially, the festival opens daily from 1 pm, but competitions schedules may change depending on the wind and sea roughness conditions.
If boat racings are delayed, though, there is plenty to enjoy at the festival. For the first time in its seven years history, organisers had added several Emirati heritage activities, happening on the sideline of the festival.

The heritage activities focus on fishing and pearl diving; we need to show the new generations our way of life in the past, the tools, equipment and methods used by our fathers and forefathers for fishing and diving, explained Al Mazrouei.
For the first time at the festival we have set up a museum telling the story of pearl diving. We also have a traditional market, with at least 70 stores, selling traditional, but also modern products, he also said.

The souk shops all belong to Mirfa merchants and artisans, the market being one way of helping the local community to improve their economic means.
According to Al Mazrouei, the participants are well taken care of as well. They all receive free water and soft drinks, T-shirts for the competitions and a tent for accommodation, should they wish to stay in Mirfa overnight.