Yes. Dragon boating in the Middle East exists!  It’s the answer that you will get from Dubai Flying Dragons, Dragon Boat Team in the United Arab Emirates. According to the recent news published by Gulf News online ‘a fired-up Dubai-based dragon boating team washed away the opposition to win gold in the women's event at the first leg of the European Cup held in Gyor, Hungary, from May 31 to June 1 this year’.

There are several competitions of dragon boating in United Arab Emirates, particularly in Dubai hosted by different organizations and companies. Recently, Festival Centre, the heart of Festival City hosted the, Dragon Boat Festival on 4th of April 2008 at Dubai Festival City. Dubai Flying Dragons (team) and DBA (UAE) Club are also hosting a monthly Dragon Boat Festival. Starting from the Mina breakwaters at Dubai Mina Seyahi - the event will take you through boat paddling and races in Dubai.

A dragon boat or "dragonboat" is a very long and narrow human-powered boat now used in the team paddling sport of dragon boat racing which originated in China in pre-Christian times. Like running, horse racing and marksmanship, the racing of dragon boats is among mankind's oldest organized competitions.  While competitions has been taking place annually for more than 20 centuries as part of folk ritual, it emerged in modern times as an international "sport" in Hongkong in 1976.

Last update: 10-08-2008 10:16

A dragon boat or "dragonboat" (traditional Chinese: 龍舟or 龍船; simplified Chinese: 龙舟 or 龙船; pinyin: lóngzhōu, lóngchuán) is a very long and narrow human-powered boat now used in the team paddling sport of dragon boat racing which originated in China in pre-Christian times. While competition has taken place annually for more than 20 centuries as part of folk ritual, it emerged in modern times as an international "sport" in Hongkong in 1976. Like running, horse racing and marksmanship, the racing of dragon boats is among mankind's oldest organized competitions.

For competition events, dragon boats are generally rigged with decorative Chinese dragon heads and tails. At other times the decorative regalia is usually removed, although the drum often remains aboard for training purposes. In some areas of China, the boats are raced without dragon adornments.

Dragon boat races are traditionally held as part of the annual Duanwu Jie festival observance in China. 19th century European observers of the racing ritual, not understanding the significance of Duan Wu, referred to the spectacle as a "dragon boat festival" (literally, "long zhou jie". The date of "duan wu" is reckoned annually according to the solar-lunar calendrical system (rather than the Gregorian system). Duan Wu is observed and celebrated in many areas of east Asia with significant populations of ethnic Chinese living there e.g. Singapore, Malaysia, Greater China (Hongkong, Macau, Taiwan, the mainland provinces of China). The date is referred to as the "double fifth" since Duan Wu is reckoned as the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, which often falls on the Gregorian calendar month of June, but also rarely May or July.

In Dubai you can join one of the popular teams the - Dubai Flying Dragons.  DFD's core values are deeply rooted in positive thinking, being fit, meeting friends and having fun - the Spirit of Dragon Boating. We also believe competitions help teams grow to become stronger and better.

MISSION
Dubai Flying Dragons aspires to be the number one National team in the UAE.

We aim to represent the UAE in International Dragon Boat Competitions.
We are focussed on spreading the Spirit of Dragon Boating across the UAE and the whole Middle East region.  Check them out at www.dubaiflyingdragons.com
 

Last update: 26-07-2008 14:56

Author: Cress Evans

Dragon boating is a prestigious and thrilling water sport, full of adrenaline, sportsmanship, strategy, camaraderie and technique.  It is a sport built on positive team spirit, community, healthy living, making friends and having fun – the Spirit of Dragon Boating.  The Dubai Flying Dragons (operating under the umbrella of Dragon Boats Alive) are currently the leading local dragon boat team, participating not only in local events but also in international competitions. 

Last update: 03-09-2008 00:25

History of the blokart

Made in New Zealand for the world to enjoy!

Blokarts are manufactured in Papamoa, New Zealand to ensure the best craftsmanship, the finest materials and the best quality control possible. Blokart Sailing has rapidly become the world’s fastest growing sailing sport. But it’s more than a sport… it’s a favored pastime for thousands worldwide. It caters for both families who want to ‘play together’ and individuals who are looking for excitement and adrenaline!

Last update: 02-11-2008 20:43

Karting is one of the fastest growing forms of motor sport in the world, offering speed, thrills and great competition. Karting has already established itself as the first step on the ladder to motor racing success, and besides – it’s fun!

Last update: 13-05-2008 11:29

There are excellent places to enjoy paragliding in United Arab Emirates. Several tour companies and hotels organize paragliding experiences to their guests. However if you are living in the UAE and have your own paraglider, Al Ain, Hatta and Fujairah have great spots to enjoy paragliding.

Paragaliding is a sport and recreational activity using a paraglider – an ultimate portable aircraft or a free-flying, foot-launched aircraft. Paragaliding is considered to be a recreational and competitive flying sport. The pilot sits in the harness and launches the vehicle by foot, running off inclines, hills or mountains. He or she steers the wing by weight shift and application of brakes that changes the shape of the rear edge of the wing.

The function of a paraglide is to soar on wind currents. A paraglider should have wings and harness. The paraglider wing or canopy is known in aeronautical engineering as a ram-air airfoil, or parafoil. Such wings comprise two layers of fabric which are connected to internal supporting material in such a way as to form a row of cells. The pilot is loosely and comfortably buckled into a harness which offers support in both the standing and sitting positions. Modern harnesses are designed to be as comfortable as a lounge chair in the sitting position. Many harnesses even have an adjustable 'lumbar support'.

There is great potential for injury for the reckless or ill-prepared in doing paragliding. The safety of the sport is directly proportional to the skill and sense of the pilot. It's important to note that almost all paragliding accidents are the result of pilot error. Paragliding equipment is very well built and, if properly cared for, will never fail. A reserve parachute is also typically connected to a paragliding harness for the pilot’s safety.

Paragliding in United Arab Emirates is an enjoyable activity; you can catch glimpses of the sand dunes, the mountains, and the sea or perhaps, the skyscrapers in Dubai. However, this activity is not advisable during summer. For those who want to get connected to other paragliding enthusiasts, you may join the paragliding forum (www.paraglidingforum.com). For those who want to learn paragliding in United Arab Emirates, you may check www.sky-jet.com for more information about paragliding lessons in the UAE and other GCC countries.

Last update: 10-08-2008 10:16