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 If you are from the Middle East and if you have a passion for the sea in your blood (but an aversion to motor-powered boats), then the traditional dhow races, organized by the Qatar Marine Sports Federation, is just the right thing for you. I witnessed a competition the other day. It was as awesome as they came. A gazillion land cruisers and GMC trucks converged to a little nail of land, off the Doha Corniche, pulling wooden boats behind them. The sails were tied down in neat little packages and stored in safe places. I waited to see what happened next. When the trucks stopped rolling, it's occupants started. First a small boy jumped out, and then a man followed him. And another, and another... and another. Within ten short minutes, the sails were up (still furled up though) and the dhow was ready to rock and roll (pun intended). The Land Cruiser pulling the boat gently backed it down a ramp, into the sea, which was eagerly waiting to kiss its wooden child. As if by magic, five men were instantly seen inside the boat. They enthusiastically took to the task at hand, as one. While four stood on two sides to balance it perfectly, the fifth tugged on a small rope, bringing up the sail, in its entire pearly white splendor. I got into a boat (of the motorized kind) and set out into the sea, to capture a few moments of this breath-taking race. I was humbled to see how deftly the sailors handled the boat. They shouted instructions at one another and gently goaded their teammates to pull together as one. And they did as nature saluted their courage by giving them strong winds.  About an hour later, I was back on firm ground. All boats, which sailed out into the sea that day finished the race. If one waited for heated arguments and histrionics from the teams, whom finished so close to one another, then it never came.There were much backslapping and high-fiving, each congratulating the other for fighting and winning against Mother Nature. Later, I came to know that none of them were regular sailors. All of them had well-paying day jobs. They came to race only because they refused to sever their ties with the sea; who after all gave them all they had. These races have some heavy money involved in it too. The first three overall winners, after five rounds of competition, take home some serious dough. If you are interested in dhow races, you can access the race calendar here. |
