"FENN HOTSPOTS" TO SPICE UP SECOND DUBAI SHAMAAL 

- World's Richest Surfski Race Gets Even Richer -

Dubai (UAE): The world's leading surfskiers will have more than just the richest prize in the sport to aim for when they compete in the second Dubai Shamaal international surfski race at Mina Seyahi on November 30.

Dawid Mocke breaks away to win the 2006 Dubai Shamaal (Photo: Christo Tromp, DSKC)

Fenn Hotspots 

Organisers have announced that in addition to a prize-fund of US$ 35,000, the Fenn Hotspots will also provide a unique challenge within a challenge and offer competitors the opportunity of winning extra prize-money during the actual race itself.

Sponsored by Fenn Kayaks, the concept of the Fenn Hotspots was initiated by Haydn Holmes and Darryl Bartho and is based on the Tour de France's green jersey sprint competition. During the grueling 25km race - held as part of World Power Boat Week - three gates will be spread along the course with each gate offering a prize purse of US$1000.

2006 Dubai Shamaal: The line up at the start (Photo: Christo Tromp, DSKC)

"The first paddler to pass through the Fenn Hotspot gates will win the prize money," said Rob Klok Fenn agent for the Middle East. Having the three sprint gates will change the dynamic of the race and create an extra twist with the elite paddlers being forced to consider their tactics and strategy.

"As the gates approach, the paddlers will have to decide whether to go all out to claim the prize money or to conserve energy for the overall win. You can bet the guys will be keeping a close eye on each other and will be monitoring each other closely to try and anticipate each other's moves - it's going to be close and it's going to be exciting."

Daryl Bartho congratulates Dawid on his win (2006) (Photo: Christo Tromp, DSKC)

Best performers 

Among those already confirmed are eleven-times world champion and winner of the Durban World Cup Oscar Chalupsky, fellow South African Clint Pretorious and New Zealander Katherine Pocock. 

To help attract the sport's biggest names, the organisers are also running a ‘Cash to Compete' incentive which offers invites to the Dubai Shamaal to 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.

In addition, the ‘Anchor man' promotion offers a prize package worth $12,000 including 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. Everyone is welcome to register for this competition by visiting www.surfski.info or link through from www.dubaishamaal.com.

"The build up to the second Dubai Shamaal is creating a real buzz in surfski circles," said DSKC Club President Wayne Randall. "By introducing the concept of the Fenn Hotspots, we are adding even more excitement to what is already the most talked-about event in the sport."

Comments (3)

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Better and Better
written by Christo Tromp, September 04, 2007

I must say guys, not because I am from Dubai, but because of the endless possibilities that this race has to offer. That every one should try and be at this race.

I also believe this to be a nice 'carrot' for the less elite paddlers, to also make some $$$

Choices, Choices

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Oscar, 11 X World Champ?
written by Jamii Hamlin, September 05, 2007

Rob, I'm sure most of us are aware of Oscar's infallible perdigree & that he had pipped Dawid to the World Champ title in Durban this year, yet I am unaware of anyother formal or informal events apart from the World Cup in Cape Town & Durban that have carried a World Champ ranking or that previously there had been any WC Crown!
In years gone by, was the Molokai deemd as the WC Crown? Perhaps a summary of past winners & events that have established the WC Crown would help clarify this!!

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written by Rob Mousley, September 05, 2007

Hi Jamii - you're asking about where "11 times world champion" comes from, right?

In the past the Molokai organisers/sponsors have always called the race the "Molokai World Championships" and while there's often been grumbling that it's not "official" or whatever, most people would probably agree that if any race is worthy to be called a World Championship, probably Molokai is the one.

The "11 times world champion" statement comes from his Molokai victories and while it may be unofficial, hell, I'd take my hat off to the big O and say go for it.

Hopefully our SSI World Rankings/World Champion title will continue to gain credibility moving forward!

Cheers
rob

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