Racing at DOSC
Dubai Offshore Sailing Club has the biggest and most competitive racing fleets found in the Gulf. From light hearted fun racing to competitive ‘round the cans’ and offshore races, DOSC offers it all.
Click on our RACE CALENDAR for an insight into the coming seasons events.
Dinghy Racing
Our competing fleets include Optimists, Lasers, Open Dinghy and Moths. The major events in the season are the Dinghy Commodores Cup, Laser League and Jumeirah Regatta See the descriptions below for more detail on these events. The club also run Start Racing workshops available to people who have completed their RYA Level 2 and are keen to get involved in Dinghy Racing. DOSC is also fortunate enough to be hosting the 2010 Foiling Moth World Championships. Click here for more info on the MOTH WORLDS.
Keelboat Racing
Most Keelboat races at DOSC operate using the IRC Rating System (southern hemisphere), allowing fair and competitive handicapped racing for all. There are 3 IRC Divisions for the Commodores Cup (see event details below) and a Personally Adjusted Handicap (PAH) results run concurrently to ensure everyone can have a chance for a share in the spoils! On average fortnightly ‘round the cans’ inshore racing is complemented by offshore races such as the Dubai – Muscat and Bill Nelson Memorial Races. Regatta weeks such as the ‘Maktoum Sailing Trophy’ or ‘DOSC Open Winter Series’ (see below for details) are held in February. It’s not all serious though! Fun races such as the Alan Lamprell Memorial Pursuit Race, Ladies Helm on Boxing Day and the Shorthanded Round the World Series offer something for everyone.
Crewing Opportunities
To get a place crewing on a boat, please add you details to the CREWBOARD on our forum and keep an eye open for ‘new crew days’ at the start of the season.
Racing Events
The Commodores Cup
The DOSC Commodores Cup is arguably the most fiercely contested and competitive event in the DOSC calendar. The season runs from September to May usually comprising of 8-10Acts (days racing). The Keelboat Commodores Cup is a combination of short inshore races and long day races of up to around 30miles.
The Dubai – Muscat Race
One of the most prestigious races in the DOSC Calendar and is exactly what it claims, a race from Dubai, UAE to Muscat, Oman. Sailing up the West Coast of the UAE to the Straights of Hormuz where boats often face the fierce currents on the ebb or the flow between the Gulf and Arabian Sea with the magnificent scenery of the Musandam Peninsular their backdrop. Then comes the offshore leg bypassing the UAE East Coast and into Muscat. The race takes approximately 3 days and the next year may see the induction of alternating the start and finish to the race, with possibly a Muscat – Dubai Race in 2010 to coincide with the Oman Festival of Sail…watch this space!
The Bill Nelson Memorial Race
Another popular long distance offshore races, held in memory of the Late Captain Bill Nelson, long standing DOSC member, Dubai resident and harbour master for the creek. The course usually incorporates part of Abu Dhabi and Sir Abu Nair island and lasts over approximately 2 -3 days.
UAE National Championships
Open to invited dinghy sailors, this event tours the UAE with events in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Fujeirah. The main fleets are Optimist, Lasers and Open Dinghy.
Maktoum Sailing Trophy
Held at the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC), this week long cruiser event is the main ‘Regatta Week’ of the Dubai Sailing Scene. The Regatta takes place in February and attracts many overseas boats and competitors.
Jumeirah Regatta
Another long standing classic regatta. Again held in February, the races try to be inclusive and give the boats a break from their regular more serious style of ‘windward-leeward’ courses. Classes for Keelboats, Dinghies and Catamarans, this event always ends with a superb turnout and a fantastic prize giving ceremony at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel.
Laser League
Initially held between DOSC and the old Jebel Ali Sailing Club, this event has grown from strength to strength in recent years and is without doubt the main Laser Sailing Series in Dubai, although now exclusively held at DOSC. As well as providing sponsorship for the series and quality prizes, the sponsor, Aggreko, have funded a program for teaching special needs students at DOSC.
Shorthanded Round the World Series
The brainchild of Phil Roper, this is a ‘fun’ self regulated series where competitors sail around the Nakeel World Islands project with a maximum of 2 crew!
Alan Lamprell Memorial Race
An extremely popular pursuit race, held early in the season, getting everyone back together and warmed up for the coming season. The race is for both dinghies and keelboats with loads of cool prizes provided by Nikki and Tim Lamprell. The race is in memory of Tim’s brother Alan Lamprell.