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 Dubai (UAE): The world's leading surfskiers are signing up
to chase the richest purse in the sport's history at the second Dubai Shamaal
international surfski race at Mina Seyahi on November 30.
The grueling 25km race, held as part of World Power Boat
Week, will have a prize-fund of US$ 35,000 making it easily the richest event
in world paddling. And, as expected, the sport's elite competitors are already
committing themselves to what will be a landmark occasion for this growing
sport.
Cash to Compete
Staged by the Dubai International Marine Club and the Dubai
Surfski and Kayak Club (DSKC) and promoted by Driving Force, the event will
also see the best performers in the world's top paddling races sponsored to
compete in the Dubai Shamaal thanks to a unique ‘Cash to Compete' promotion.
 Katie Pocock (Photo: Gameplan Media)
The top three men and the leading lady in events such as New Zealand's King of The Harbour, Hawaii's infamous Molokai,
the ARB World Cup and the US Championships will all be sponsored to showcase
their paddling talents in the world's richest event.
Oscar Chalupsky
Already confirmed are eleven-times
world champion and winner of the Durban World Cup Oscar Chalupsky of South
Africa and New Zealander Katherine Pocock, winner of the King of the
Harbour. "I am definitely keen to race in Dubai," said Pocock. "I've never been to Dubai
so I am really looking forward to racing there in November. Everyone who
competed in 2006 raved about the event."
 Oscar at the finish of the ARB SS World Cup 2007 (Photo: Gameplan Media)
Shamaal 2
Chalupsky, a 30-year surfskiing veteran and one of the
legends of the sport, believes the incentive offered to the leading competitors
is a massive boost for the sport.
"The
Cash to Compete Promo is a great way of getting the top paddlers to talk about
the race and when they talk, it gets the attention of all levels of paddlers,"
he said. "The prize money is also a huge incentive and makes people prepare and
take the race a lot more seriously."
Bevan Manson
 Bevan Manson (Photo: Mike Tippet)
Bevan Manson is another leading South African competitor to
commit to the event and
is impressed by the race's reputation. "I've only heard really good things about the Dubai Shamaal,"
he said. "The race organisers, the paddlers involved and Dubai itself all get
together to make it not only an enjoyable race but a great experience all
round. I'm looking forward to the race itself, which will be tough considering
the field that is likely to attend."
Dubai Anchorman Promotion
With surfskiing continuing to grow in popularity, the DSKC
plays a key role in helping develop the sport in the emirates. In addition, to
the ‘Cash to Compete' promotion, the
‘Anchor man' promotion promotes not only surfskiing but also Dubai.
"Visitors to partner website www.surfski.info need only register and answer two questions to be in with a chance of winning a
prize package worth $12,000 that includes return tickets to Dubai, five star
hotel accommodation, access to activities such as fishing, diving, sailing and
desert driving, tickets to the Dubai Rugby 7s, and the world's fastest and
lightest ski, the EPIC ultra elite V10," said DSKC Club President Wayne
Randall.
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