Features

Learning the ropes

18 Jun 2008 by Sara Turner

While the rest of Dubai is busy reclaiming land from the sea, Felicity Cousins finds a wonderful world out on the water.

As the 35ft Archambault racing yacht tilts to the right, and the water dances away from the streamlined bow, Mike raises his voice: “One of Dubai’s greatest assets is the sea.”

With the temperature hitting 40 on land, I know what he means – and, given that it’s not even summer yet in the emirate, it’s hardly surprising that boating is such a popular pastime. Indeed, according to Dubai Tourism the marine industry is set to grow by 10 per cent over the next five years.

Much of this growth will be down to the huge Dubai Maritime City (due to be completed in August 2011) but the maritime community is already well-established at the Dubai International Marine Club Mina Seyahi, Jumeirah Beach, which pulled in a record 25,000 people this year for the Dubai International Boat Show.

This complex is also proving increasingly popular as an incentive destination for international companies, thanks to its two Starwood hotels on site, the five-star Westin Mina Seyahi Dubai (pictured above), which opened in May this year, and the 294-room Le Méridien. These two properties have direct access to the 238-berth marina and a fleet of racing yachts, offering a great opportunity for team-building on the water.

“The sailing here is perfect because you can sail every single day of the year. It’s hot, sunny and does get a good bit of wind,” says Mike, our skipper. Afternoons are the best time to be on the water, as in the morning there is an off-shore breeze blowing a hot, dry wind from the desert sands. Later on, there is a more bearable onshore wind, fresh from the Arabian Gulf.

Earlier that day, while most of the Westin’s guests were spread out around the 150m weaving canal-like swimming pool, sipping cool lunchtime cocktails from the pool bar, I headed for the Barasti bar and restaurant for a briefing. We learned the basic theory of sailing, from ropes to sails, and knots to the fact that sailing “is all about the wind”. You have to be aware of where the wind is the whole time – it is your tool and is what propels the boat forward. It is only when we board the yacht that the theory starts to make sense.

The boat I am aboard is brand new, and belongs to the Westin. Michael Scully, general manager of the complex, says: “The Archambault 35 complements our existing fleet of racing yachts and means that the two hotels now offer a totally unique option for corporate groups looking for a team-building exercise.”

The boats can take six on board plus a skipper (Mike) and one crew (John). I sit on the edge of the boat, barefoot and mesmerised, as Mike and John pull all the ropes and secure the sails but soon we reach the other side of the sheltered harbour and have to tack. Mike shouts out: “Ready about?” and we all chorus back: “Ready!”

“Lee-ho!” says Mike, as he pushes the tiller away from him, turning the boat and causing the boom to swing over our heads. We all dash to the opposite side, and take our positions. At the same time John is pulling the jib sheet through the winch to make the jib sail swap to the correct side. And suddenly it is calm again and we are sailing the other way.

Corporate teams can experience all aspects of sailing, from crewing to taking the helm. Mike says that, despite the hierarchy in the office, once on the water everyone realises they have to work as a team, otherwise the boat won’t sail. I experience this first hand as I am sitting next to the winch (which secures and tightens the sails). I am in charge of “tailing” the jib sheet, controlling the rope for the smaller front sail, and working with the “grinder”, who frantically winches the sail in. On Mike’s orders we tail and grind and it’s a good feeling when the jib is secured and in place for the next tack.

Sometimes the teams sail back and forth perfecting their tacking, tailing and grinding skills, but for a more adrenalin-filled day out the hotels offer both boats for a bit of competitive racing. After all these beautiful boats were built to race and Le Méridien’s Archambault 35 won the Maktoum Sailing Trophy last year.

We head out of the harbour into the Gulf of Arabia and suddenly we are rolling on the waves. Dark patches on the water indicate a gust of wind, so we call out “pressure on”, so that the skipper knows the sail will be soon taking on an extra force. Three of us are dangling over the edge of the boat to balance it out as it tilts dramatically the other way. It is at this point, with the water whooshing below my feet and the wind pummelling my skin that I feel the freedom and peace that sailing brings. The wind is perfectly bedded in both sails and, instead of flapping around it, they embrace it like a soft cushion.

Afterwards, hungry and hot, I head for the Westin’s incredible air-conditioned 24-hour restaurant, picking freshly cooked fish and plump dumplings from one of the five open kitchens. It’s a brilliant end to an unforgettable day.

Factfile

Packages range from the three-hour Discover Sailing to RYA Level 1 and Competent Crew. Two boats are needed for groups of 10. The price includes a briefing by a professional sailor, a sailing kit and supplies of water, soft drinks and cold towels, as well as branded caps, T-shirts and bags. Call the Westin +971 4 399 4141 or Le Méridien +971 4 399 3333 or visit starwoodhotels.com.

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