History of DOSC
In June 1974, a group of friends led by Colonel Guy Temple of the Dubai Defence Force decided to explore the possibility of starting an offshore sailing club. Their first thought was to use one of the three fishing harbours recently constructed on the Jumeirah coast. After lots of hard work on 11th August 1974 HH Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai and Vice President of the United Arab Emirates, granted an area of land in the Umm Suqeim Harbour, at the request of his son HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid al Maktoum.
The club was immediately named the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club, under the patronage of HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Commander in Chief of Dubai Defence Force. The first sailing races were held in October 1974 which highlighted the start of a long history of successful sailing events.
At that time, the Club boasted very modest facilities, consisting of a compound with hard standing for boat storage, a launching ramp and an area shaded by a barasti roof, augmented by members' cool boxes. Some still say this was one of the club's finest times! It was not until June 1976 that the first clubhouse was built. The very limited facilities were not a bad thing as it meant that the only attraction to join the Club was a genuine love of the sea and sailing.
Fortunately there were many people who were interested and the Club grew, so much so that on three occasions Sheikh Ahmed was good enough to ask his father if he would grant additional land. With the supreme generosity of the Maktoum family, Sheikh Rashid kindly agreed.
From these beginnings, through a series of upgrading projects, the Club has grown to what you see today.
Many Club members have participated in overseas regattas and championships, taking the name of Dubai around the world.
In December 1974, just six months after the club was founded, Clive and Jo Boulton were placed first in a regatta in Bahrain. Since that time DOSC has been represented in a wide range of events with considerable success for Club members. The events have included the World Sailboard Championships, the World Hobie Cat Championships, the European 505 Championships, the 29er Europeans, the UK Laser, Optimist and Topper Nationals, Round the Island Race, Sydney to Hobart Race and Cowes Week.
With these successes the club has managed to develop and grow, not only within its racing fleet but within the boundaries of the services and training provided for the members. The timeline below displays some of these successes;
1984
This was a good year for DOSC sailors with Maarten van der Harst winning the European Prindle 15' catamaran championships and Roger Williams coming fourth in the Laser Masters World Championships in the Apprentice Division.
The Boultons and Temples came first and second in the US National Prindle 16' catamaran championships, beating many Americans in their home waters.
January 1985
The Cadet Club was formed giving humble beginnings to a now thriving youth training programme.
April 1985
This year brought two senior instructors from the Royal Yachting Association to Dubai to run certified sailing courses for the members and facilitate one of the Club's staff to be qualified as a RYA Dinghy Instructor.
August 1986
DOSC's first representatives in the UK National Topper Championships.
April 1991
The first Dubai to Muscat Race.
1994
Jo and Stephen Livingstone took part in the Topper Worlds.
1995
The first representatives were in the Laser 2 Worlds.
1996
Six members took part in the Laser Masters World Championships in South Africa.
1997
Members took part in the Cutty Sark Tall Ships Race.
1998
DOSC achieved RYA recognition as a teaching establishment.
Many famous sailors have visited Dubai, drawn by stories of the superb sailing conditions. Olympic sailors John Oakley, Paul Elvstrom, Rodney Pattison, Randy Smythe, Laurie Smith, AC Challengers Victory Team and the deending America’s Cup Champions Alinghi have sampled the waters off Jumeirah and have envied those of us fortunate enough to live here.