The Dubai Shamaal will go down in the history books as the event which put surfski paddling on the map. Over the last 3 years the organisers have established the race as the richest and most competitive ocean paddling event in the world. There are some key players in this event. There are too many to mention so let's call them the DSKC'ers (Dubai Surfski and Kayak Club - they know who they are). The DSKC'ers speak about surfski paddling with fire in their eyes. They guard their race jealously and they run it with passion and with a heart to see it grow massive! The DSKC'ers are the heartbeat of the Shamaal. For the record, even if they do nothing from this day onwards, surfski paddling owes them. However, it is very unlikely that the DSKC'ers will do nothing, so that is why we have been ensured that the 2009 edition of the Dubai Shamaal will once again set new bencmarks.

The peripherals.
I call it peripherals but in reality it's what made this event. Picture it with me. The race venue, which was also the finish, prizegiving and pre-race social spot, was perfect. Plenty of room to relax amidst palm trees...on sun beds or bean bags...next to the pool, Lal's Kitchen serving up killer curries and the world's best paddlers mingling. Everyone spent the better the part of the day there in between catching the event charter bus to various tourist spots in Dubai, or being carted around with trailers to do downwinds along the "soon to be" iconic Dubai coast- and skyline. Once you've done your training paddle just rinse your brand new top quality rental ski with the hoses provided and slide your ski into it's allocated, sponge wrapped ski rack. A quick dip in the pool followed by warm shower and then straight back to your sun bed BUT ONLY AFTER you've read the latest updates on the race and the weather on the official notice board or sorted out some admin with the ever present Metta (Race admin lady) or perused some of the displays on hand. End your day off with spuberb hospitality from your host family, or a few quiet ones with the crew at Barasti. Need I say more????

My race:
Crossing the finish line was like relief I cannot explain. I drank a litre of water straight away non-stop; I couldn't speak for 10minutes; I ate 7 schwarmas. My 5th position was an honest 5th position. I did not float into 5th but had to dig incredibly deep to protect that position over the last 3kms. The boys in 4th and 3rd also had to race me for their positions which weren't given to them on a plate. The results list will tell you exactly why the race was a killer. I won't digress on the level of competition; you all know the calibre of athletes that were here. I never knew that a mere 24kms could be that hard.

I was in an attacking disposition for the first half of the race. After a terrible start I managed to chase my way to to the top 5 and level with Jeremy Cotter and Caine Eckstein. Earlier in the race Clint Pretorius and I rounded the last buoy together. We sparred for a bit, but then he ran in a series of jabs that left me on the ropes and him 100m ahead; an insurmountable lead in those conditions, which were hot and mildly choppy. The fervent chasing left me exhausted just after halfway and I now had to start boxing smart. A slight change in my line to the finish kept me competitive, but consolidated. My body and my arms had no more knockout punches; my batting scorecard held no more fours or sixes. I was on the ropes with my hands up blocking punches; I was number 9 batsman stealing singles. The last half of my race was spent on defense.

I was just ouside the Marina entrance when I heard the horn signalling that the winner had crossed the line. After the way Lighty Pretorius dropped me and caught Eckstein and Cotter I was sure he had taken it. But it was another tenacious racer who had laid his claim to the prize long before the start horn had even set us off: "TJ" Jacobs. Tim had the perfect race and deserves every accolade; well done Tim. Yet, still remarkable was Clint's 2nd. To be where I was after 5kms and then to come a very close second either leaves me without an excuse or him with a brilliant race; the latter being more appropriate. Three minutes and forty-five seconds later I doggy-paddled my way over the line, relieved to at least have maintained my consistent top 5 position since the start of my International career 4 years ago. Behind me the carnage of a great race came in bit by bit, each man and woman with their own tale of Persian Gulf Brutality.

A habit of bad starts?
After all that the race organisers had put into this race; the near perfection of it all; the start was disasterous and dissapointing to say the least. I was in the one half of the field that dutifully obeyed strict and clear instructions. My obedience was rewarded with an immediate 100metre deficit. I am not going to go into detail, but after years of racing, I should've known better. Starting the Shamaal a 100m behind was less than ideal and added some serious fatigue to an already tough race. I could very easily use it as a valid excuse had it not been for the plucky Clint Pretorius' 2nd. He went on to almost win, and I had to fight for my 5th. At the end of the day, I don't think the results sheet would've reflected much difference. But oh how near it was to a carbon copy of the MAN Dragon Run.

A great race.
The Shamaal is now a great race and it looks like it will continue. I think it is safe to say that you should all be booking tickets to Dubai next year.
So the Shamaal has come and gone and now we will see how it's effect ripples through the paddling world.