Abu Dhabi Week tested the waters with some of the capital’s most dedicated salty dogs to find out why setting sail from the city’s shore is such a popular pastime.

There’s not a breeze in the air as we chat with Erika Lessman, captain for Abu Dhabi Charter, a mild mannered lady with 40 years of sailing under her dainty belt. “I just love being out on the water,” she enthuses. A believable statement, considering she’s travelled across the Atlantic no less than four times.

“Look at the weather!” She gestures from the marina down by Marina Mall. “Cristal clear skies, the calmest of waters and a gentle breeze: where else can you find such lovely outdoor conditions all year round?” The gentle wind on the occasion we climb aboard the Club Swan 42 doesn’t work in our favour and we bob along the waters rather than sail along with billowing sails. But watching the Abu Dhabi skyline drift by from a different perspective is a truly enjoyable experience.

Berend Lensvanrijn, chairman and captain of Belevari Marine, echoes Erika’s thoughts on sailing in the city:

“All year round you can be out on the water; even in the summer – in the evening the temperature is just lovely with the wind riding across the water.”

Having been on boats since just four years old, Berend’s by no means a stranger to the water – but he admits to being smitten with sailing in Abu Dhabi, having spent the last six year’s in the capital actively promoting sailing.

“Anyone can enjoy a life on the water in Abu Dhabi, even if you don’t have your own boat. It’s a great social experience too – it’s relaxed and easy to meet
people – the whole experience is just fun. Once you’re aboard, it’s easy to get hooked.”

What to see while out on the waters? According to skipper Keir Clarke of The Yellow Boats, Lulu Island and the Corniche waters heading down to Mina Port by night always get a great reaction from first time and regular sailors.

“Abu Dhabi really offers some great opportunities out on the water – Lulu Island is popular because it’s so peaceful, and the Corniche offers the best vistas of the city.”

Keir, who has sailed all his life, and whose sailing CV includes competing with the British Olympic team, sums up the experience of being out on a boat in the capital; “I’ve actually only been living in Abu Dhabi for one month and I love it; sailing is fun and informative and can be affordable too – you don’t have to own a boat.

“The weather adds a charm to being out on the water, but with the sailing opportunities, the fun spirit and enthusiasm, boating in Abu Dhabi is addictive – it’s hard not to get caught up in it.”

With a good nine months of hospitable weather on offer, not to mention a scattering of islands to explore and of course, all-important calm waters; sailing around the capital’s coastline has long been a popular pastime for many. Can’t sail? You’re spoilt for choice to learn in the hands of experts. Fancy the idea of just heading out to sea with a group of likeminded folk? There’s plenty of options in Abu Dhabi; from fun filled weekend trips to learning the lingo and hoisting the mainsail, here are just a few of the best companies to jump aboard with.

Abu Dhabi Charters

Abu Dhabi Charters by Al Masaood makes the most of the water on an impressive Swan Club 42 – an ocean racing boat, equipped with a carbon fibre mast with the ultimate 3DL sails for high performance. The company operates sailing courses in conjunction with ADIMSC, offering corporate sailing, family trips, ladies only sailing and racing. Able to take up to 12 people out on the water (including three crew members), the charter trips are available in the mornings, afternoons and just in time for sunset. Lessons start from AED 750 for three hours.
02 642 4222/050 612 9445 |
www.abudhabicharters.com

ADIMSC

The Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club is perhaps one of the best known in the capital for its sailing courses. Young enthusiasts can get to grip with learning to sail with popular youth sailing courses from eight to 16 years old available. However, anyone can learn to sail with a host of private and group lessons with professional instructors to suit all ages and experiences, and single lessons or a course of eight lessons available – all at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.
02 681 3446 | www.adimsc.ae

Abu Dhabi Sailing Club

The Abu Dhabi Sailing Club (ADSC), situated at The Club Abu Dhabi is one of the oldest in the city, having been operating for the last 43 years. The ADSC is open to members, but membership is open to all (though you may find a bit of a waiting list). The ADSC races all year round and participates in the UAE National Championships, national open events, and is host of the UAE Laser Open Regatta. Sailing tuition for juniors and adults by professional qualified instructors in the club is also available for members.
02 673 1111 | www.abudhabisailing.com | www.the-club.com

Belevari Marine

Perhaps one of the most sociable ways to take to the water, Belevari Marine offers a number of charter packages. Set sail on the sleek Club Swan 42 with up to ten people – great for a group day out or meeting and making new friends; a trip out will cost AED 3,000 for ten. Fancy settling up on a different shore for the evening? Then make the most of an Overnight Island Drop Off; set off on a chauffeured motorboat with disposal barbeques, a cooler of food and drink and your best friends for a stopover on one of Abu Dhabi’s many natural islands to watch the sun go down by the campfire. You’re then picked up later that evening, or the next morning for those wishing to camp out under the stars.
050 661 2176 | www.belevari.com

Noukhada

Abu Dhabi Week is still a firm fan of eco-warrier Don Revis; having gone great guns since starting eco-tours with his kayak (and showing Abu Dhabi Week around the waters) Don has launched the Noukhada Adventure Company with his business partner and equally keen eco-supporter Mark. Noukhada’s aim is to help develop eco-tourism for Abu Dhabi and the UAE through kayaking, sailing and trail biking. The low impact eco-tours offer several different locations around the coastal waters and inland areas of Abu Dhabi and the UAE to educate and promote awareness of the region’s vital eco system. Keen to help a good cause and get out on the water more often? Noukhada offers membership (kayak, sailing and trail biking), instruction, team building events and more.
050 721 8928 | www.noukhada.ae

The Yellow Boats

Fun, friendly and unmissable in their bright yellow boats, the Yellow Boats company offers a whole host of boating activities – all on eco-friendly terms. The Yellow Boats are top-of-the-line rigid inflatable crafts powered by the latest generation eco-friendly engine that can reach some impressive speeds, capable of carrying up to 12 people plus two crew members. Embark on a Coastal Cruise-Scapade with a tour of the Arabian Gulf, enjoy a corporate gathering, or by hour or by day, enjoy a private charter and explore Abu Dhabi’s waters.
800 8044 | www.theyellowboats.com
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Others to mention:

The Emirates Sailing School: The School – an initiative from the Heritage Club - is keenly preserving the UAE’s sailing traditions with dhow sailing, wooden rowing boats and modern sailing with a number of instructors on hand to help enthusiastic Emiratis learn, practice and race for free. www.ess.ae

Abu Dhabi Cruiser Association (ADCA): Founded in 1985, the ADCA’s mission is to promote and encourage offshore sailing. ADCA also organises regular races every month, so there’s always a chance to join in. Keep up to date with the Facebook group: http://tinyurl.com/65fuuaw

Charlie Kennedy

Did you know?

Impress your crew with some simple sailor speak and little sailing facts

• Cunningham: A line invented by the American sportsman, famed for racing cars and yachts, Briggs Cunningham, which is used to control the shape of a sail.
• Starboard: The right hand side of the boat. Derived from the Scandinavian term ‘steerboard’, which was hung off the right side of the boat, making it impractical to put the right side against a pier when in port. It’s this reason too that gave the left side of the boat the term, port side.
• Come about: To change course so as to be sailing at the same angle but with the wind on the other side.
• Bring to: The term used for the method of bringing a boat to a stop by arranging the sails.
• Chock-a-block: The term given to rigging blocks that are so tight against one another that they cannot be further tightened.
• A good square meal: Looking forward to a ‘good square meal’? Sailors used to too: the phrase originates back to when ships set sail to discover new countries (and when the world was thought to be flat!) square wooden trencher plates were used aboard ships as they didn't slide around as easily as circular plates.

Abu Dhabi Yacht Show

Sailing into Abu Dhabi for it’s third annual event, the Abu Dhabi Yacht Show, under the sponsorship of ADTA, will once again provide visitors with the crème de la crème of luxury boating. Those without a wad of cash to spend on a luxury yacht can still enjoy the event from 24th-26th March as ADYS moors up at Yas Marina to coincide with the FIA GT1 World Championship 2011 season opener – providing an exciting mix of superyachts and supercars in one weekend.
www.abudhabiyachtshow.com