Al Dhafra Water Festival 2023

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, the 14th Al Dhafra Water Festival will take place from 10-19 March 2023 at Al Mughirah Beach, Al Dhafra Region, celebrating the emirate’s maritime heritage through dhow sailing races, beach sports, folklore shows, concerts and a traditional market.

10-19 March 2023 Al Mugheira Bay – Al Dhafra

Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region Al Dhafra Water Festival During the period from 10 to 19 March 2023 Al Mugheira Bay – Al Dhafra Organized by The Cultural Programs and Heritage Festivals Committee - Abu Dhabi And The Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club

About the festival

The beautiful blending characteristic of the UAE’s nature characterized by the overlap between the land with its undulating earthy colors, the sea with its emerald colors and the aroma of our ancient history and heritage. On the line of contact between the land and the sea and from Al Mugheira Bay, the 14th Al Dhafra Water Festival will be held over 10 continuous days, with a program full of adventures, water games and competitions, offering the visitors a range of entertainment experiences, with participation of prominent international athletes. Al Dhafra Water Festival highlights the important role played by the maritime sector in enriching the ancient cultural and social fabric of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates, and introducing authentic heritage of Emirati society, through a series of traditional marine and beach competitions, and recreational, educational, and traditional games. For this edition, and for the first time in Abu Dhabi, Al Dhafra Water Festival will host the WingFoil Racing World Cup, a wind- propelled water sport competition that developed from kitesurfing and windsurfing. More than 50 local and international athletes will take part in the competition. The festival hosts Traditional Souk and several distinctive corners and daily competitions, in addition to traditional fashion shows and cooking and crafts competitions, handicrafts, and other interesting and attractive activities for different age groups, and dozens of various shops that showcase the Emirati maritime heritage and desert culture, and several traditional products. The festival opens its doors to visitors daily from four o’clock until ten o’clock in the evening.

Festival Objectives • Celebrating the maritime heritage. • Conserving the national identity.

• Strengthening the strategy of safeguarding the UAE heritage. • Introducing to all local community and tourists, traditions and experiences of the sea. • Supporting social and cultural activities for the residents of Al Dhafra region. • Shedding light on the most beautiful places in the Al Dhafra region. • Supporting the young sports generation. • Consolidating the position of the Al Dhafra region as a unique destination, with its distinctive functions, and hosting featured events.

Traditional and Modern Marine Competitions

Friday 10/03/2023 Time 04:00 pm

Tefarees Traditional Race

Position 1st 2nd

Prize 10,000

9,000 8,000 7,000 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000

3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th

Saturday 11/03/2023 Time 02:00 pm

Marawah Dhow Sailing Race 43 FT. Prize

Position 1st 2nd 3rd From Fourth To Eighty

210,000 170,000 150,000 Cash Prizes

The Total Of The Prizes is 3,000,000 AED

Saturday 11/03/2023

Paddle Boarding 4km (Locals) Paddle Boarding

Position 1st 2nd 3rd

Prize 6,000 5,000 4,000

Paddle Boarding 2km (Locals) Paddle Boarding 4km (Men) Prize 5،000 4،000 3،000

Position 1st 2nd 3rd

Prize 5،000 4،000 3،000

Paddle Boarding 2km (Men) Paddle Boarding 4 km (Women) Prize 4،000 3،000 2،000 Position 1st 2nd 3rd

Position 1st 2nd 3rd

Prize 5،000 4،000 3،000

Paddle Boarding 2km (Women) Paddle Boarding 1km (Juniors) Prize 4،000 3،000 2،000 Position 1st 2nd 3rd

Position 1st 2nd 3rd

Prize 3،000 2،000 1،000

Sunday 12 / 03 / 2023 Time 02:00 pm

Jananah Dhow Sailing Race 22 FT. Prize

Position 1st 2nd 3rd From Fourth To Fiftieth

30,000 27,000 25,000 Cash Prizes

Sunday 12 / 03 / 2023 Time 10:00 am

Regatta Race

Position 1st 2nd 3rd

Prize 6,000 4,000 2,000

Sunday 12 / 03 /2023

Kite Surf - Hydrofoil (Locals)

Kite Surf - Hydrofoil (Men) Prize 6،000 5،000 4،000

Position 1st 2nd 3rd

Prize 5،000 4،000 3،000

Position 1st 2nd 3rd

Kite Surf - Hydrofoil (Women) Kite Surf - Hydrofoil (Juniors) Prize 5،000 4،000 3،000

Position 1st 2nd 3rd

Prize 4،000 3،000 2،000

Position 1st 2nd 3rd

Sunday 19/03/2023 Time 02:00 pm

Salahah Al Bwanish Sailing Race Friday 10/03/2023 Prize

Position 1st 2nd 3rd From Fourth To Fortieth

30,000 29,000 27,000 Cash Prizes

Sunday 19/03/2023 Time 04:00 pm

Traditional Rowing Race

Position 1st 2nd

Prize 23,000 22,000 19,000 16,000 15,000 14,000 13,500 12,000 11,500 11,000

3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th

15-19 / 03 / 2023

Position 1st 2nd 3rd Prize Gold Medal + 20,000 EUR Silver Medal Bronze Medal WingFoil Racing - World Cup Abu Dabi 2023 Championship

Sunday 19 / 03 /2023

Kite Surf - Twin Tip (Locals)

Prize 6،000 5،000 4،000

Position 1st 2nd 3rd

Kite Surf - Twin Tip (Men)

Prize 5،000 4،000 3،000

Position 1st 2nd 3rd

Kite Surf - Twin Tip (Women)

Prize 5،000 4،000 3،000

Position 1st 2nd 3rd

Kite Surf - Twin Tip (Juniors)

Prize 4،000 3،000 2،000

Position 1st 2nd 3rd

Kite Surf - Free Style (Locals)

Prize 6،000 5،000 4،000

Position 1st 2nd 3rd

Kite Surf - Free Style (Men)

Prize 5،000 4،000 3،000

Position 1st 2nd 3rd

Kite Surf - Free Style (Women)

Prize 5،000 4،000 3،000

Position 1st 2nd 3rd

Kite Surf - Free Style (Juniors)

Prize 4،000 3،000 2،000

Position 1st 2nd 3rd

From 10-13 March 2023 Coronation 14 March 2023 Al Dhafra Grand Kingfish Championship

Al Dhafra Grand Kingfish Championship

Al Dhafra Grand Kingfish Championship will be held on Al Mugheirah Bay in Al Dhafra region, in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra region in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The championship aims to introduce the coasts and islands of the Al Dhafra region, and to create an opportunity for amateurs to practice the sport of traditional fishing, revitalizing and spreading the hobby of fishing and reviving the spirit of honest competition among fishing enthusiasts, preserving marine safety and organizing kingfish hunting, as well as conservation of the traditional heritage competitions that express the heritage of the Emirates.

Vision: Promoting national identity by preserving heritage and encourage the local community to practice it in different ways and forms.

Mission: Activating traditional and cultural activities and practices associated with customs and traditions for sustainability of the national identity and strengthening human and social ties.

Al Dhafra Grand Kingfish Championship March 2023 (Men & Women)

Position 1st 2nd

Prize 80,000 AED 60,000 AED 50,000 AED 40,000 AED 35,000 AED 25,000 AED 15,000 AED 15,000 AED 15,000 AED 15,000 AED

3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th

Beach Sports and Competitions, and Traditional Games

Running Competition Sunday 12 / 03 /2023 Time 04:30 pm

Position 1st 2nd

Prize 3،000 2،000 1،500 1،000

3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th

800 500 500 500 500 500

Bicycle Racing Saturday 12 / 03 /2023 Time 04:30 pm

Position 1st 2nd

Prize 3،000 2،000 1،500 1،000

3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th

800 500 500 500 500 500

Beach Volleyball Competition

Prize 12,000 8,000 2,000

Position 1st 2nd 3rd

Beach Football Competition

Prize 15,000 10,000 5,000

Position 1st 2nd 3rd

7th 500 4th 800 Swimming Competition (Juniors) 5th 500 6th 500 3rd 1,200 4th 1,000 Swimming Competition (Amateurs) 5th 500 6th 500 3th 2,000 1st 4,000 Swimming Competition (Professionals) 2nd 3,000

1st 2,000

2nd 1,500

3rd 1,000

8th 500

9th 500

10th 500

1st 3,000

2nd 2,000

7th 500

8th 500

10-19 / 03 / 2023

Carrom Competition (Men) Prize 2،000 1،500 1،000 500

Position 1st 2nd

3rd 4th

Carrom Competition (Women) Prize 2،000 1،500 1،000 500

Position 1st 2nd

3rd 4th

Domino Competition 10-19 / 03 / 2023

Position 1st 2nd

Prize 2,000 1,500 1,000 500

3rd 4th

Traditional Games 10-19 / 03 / 2023

Including 4 games (Krabi, Matarih (Wrestling), Shaa, Ring/Dahrawi)

Adult

Position 1st 2nd

Prize 2,000 1,500 1,000 500

3rd 4th

Junior

Position 1st 2nd

Prize 1,500 1,000

3rd 4th

500 250

Educational Cooking Workshops 10-19 / 03 / 2023 Time 4:30 - 8:00 Pm

Indian Biryani Carrot Porridge Khabisa with Dates Syrup Samosa

Day One Day Two Day Three Day Four Day five Day Six Day Seven Day Eight Day Nine Day Ten

Pakora Biryani Khanfaroush Majbous Qers Indian Stew

Theatrical Performances ”Doll House“ Presented by: Dubai National Theatre Written by: Ali Jamal Directed by: Abdullah Saleh

About the performance: Nahar and Shua are brothers who just have lost their father who left them a theatre for dolls, which led to their argument of keeping the theatre.

Performances Timings

First Show Second Show Third Show

Saturday 11/03/2023 Sunday 12/03/2023 Sunday 19/17/2023

8:00 pm 8:00 pm 8:00 pm

Festival Program

DATE

ACTIVITIES

TIME

Tefarees Race

4:00 pm

Al Dhafra Grand Kingfish Championship

Beach Volleyball Competition Beach football Competition

4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:30 – 8:00 pm 4:00 – 9:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm

Carrom Competition Domino Competition

Traditional Games (Krabi, Matarih (Wrestling), Shaa, Ring/ Dahrawi)

Cooking Workshops Kids’ Workshops

Friday 10 March 2023

Stage Performances and Activities

Folklore Arts Performances

Traditional Handcrafts

Traditional Souk

Kids’ Village

Women Mikshat

RV Camping

Festival Program

DATE

ACTIVITIES

TIME

Marawah Dhow Sailing Race 43FT

2:00 pm

SUP Race

Al Dhafra Grand Kingfish Championship

Beach Volleyball Competition Beach football Competition

4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm

Carrom Competition Domino Competition

Traditional Games (Krabi, Matarih (Wrestling), Shaa, Ring/ Dahrawi)

“Doll House” Theatre Performance

8:00 pm

Saturday 11 March 2023

Cooking Workshops Kids’ Workshops

4:30 – 8:00 pm 4:00 – 9:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm

Stage Performances and Activities

Folklore Arts Performances

Traditional Handcrafts

Traditional Souk

Kids’ Village

Women Mikshat

RV Camping

Festival Program

DATE

ACTIVITIES

TIME

Jananah Dhow Sailing Race 22FT

2:00 pm 10:00 am

Al Dhafra Regatta

Kitesurf Race

- -

Al Dhafra Grand Kingfish Championship

Running Competition

4:30 pm

Beach Volleyball Competition Beach football Competition

4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm

Carrom Competition Domino Competition

Sunday 12 March 2023

Traditional Games (Krabi, Matarih (Wrestling), Shaa, Ring/ Dahrawi)

“Doll House” Theatre Performance

8:00 pm 5:00 pm

Hag Al Laila Celebrations

Cooking Workshops Kids’ Workshops

4:30 – 8:00 pm 4:00 – 9:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm

Stage Performances and Activities

Folklore Arts Performances

Traditional Handcrafts

Traditional Souk

Kids’ Village

Women Mikshat

RV Camping

Festival Program

DATE

ACTIVITIES

TIME

Al Dhafra Grand Kingfish Championship

Beach Volleyball Competition Beach football Competition

Carrom Competition Domino Competition

Traditional Games (Krabi, Matarih (Wrestling), Shaa, Ring/ Dahrawi)

Cooking Workshops Kids’ Workshops

Monday 13 March 2023

Stage Performances and Activities

Folklore Arts Performances

Traditional Handcrafts

Traditional Souk

Kids’ Village

Women Mikshat

RV Camping

Festival Program

DATE

ACTIVITIES

TIME

Al Dhafra Grand Kingfish Championship Coronation

06:00 pm

Beach Volleyball Competition Beach football Competition

4:00 – 10:00 pm

4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:30 – 8:00 pm 4:00 – 9:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm

Carrom Competition Domino Competition

Traditional Games (Krabi, Matarih (Wrestling), Shaa, Ring/ Dahrawi)

Cooking Workshops Kids’ Workshops

Tuesday 14 March 2023

Stage Performances and Activities

Folklore Arts Performances

Traditional Handcrafts

Traditional Souk

Kids’ Village

Women Mikshat

RV Camping

Festival Program

DATE

ACTIVITIES

TIME

WingFoil Racing World Cup Beach Volleyball Competition Beach football Competition

4:00 – 10:00 pm

Carrom Competition Domino Competition

Traditional Games (Krabi, Matarih (Wrestling), Shaa, Ring/ Dahrawi)

Cooking Workshops Kids’ Workshops

Wednesday 15 March 2023

Stage Performances and Activities

Folklore Arts Performances

Traditional Handcrafts

Traditional Souk

Kids’ Village

Women Mikshat

RV Camping

Festival Program

DATE

ACTIVITIES

TIME

WingFoil Racing World Cup Beach Volleyball Competition Beach football Competition

4:00 – 10:00 pm

Carrom Competition Domino Competition

Traditional Games (Krabi, Matarih (Wrestling), Shaa, Ring/ Dahrawi)

Cooking Workshops Kids’ Workshops

Thursday 16 March 2023

Stage Performances and Activities

Folklore Arts Performances

Traditional Handcrafts

Traditional Souk

Kids’ Village

Women Mikshat

RV Camping

Festival Program

DATE

ACTIVITIES

TIME

WingFoil Racing World Cup

Salahah AlBwanish Sailing Race Beach Cleaning Campaign Swimming Competitions Beach Volleyball Competition Beach football Competition

2:00 pm

4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:30 – 8:00 pm 4:00 – 9:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm

Carrom Competition Domino Competition

Friday 17 March 2023

Traditional Games (Krabi, Matarih (Wrestling), Shaa, Ring/ Dahrawi)

Cooking Workshops Kids’ Workshops

Stage Performances and Activities

Folklore Arts Performances

Traditional Handcrafts

Traditional Souk

Kids’ Village

Women Mikshat

RV Camping

Festival Program

DATE

ACTIVITIES

TIME

WingFoil Racing World Cup

Bicycle Racing

4:30 pm

Beach Volleyball Competition Beach football Competition

Carrom Competition Domino Competition

Traditional Games (Krabi, Matarih (Wrestling), Shaa, Ring/ Dahrawi)

Cooking Workshops Kids’ Workshops

Saturday 18 March 2023

Stage Performances and Activities

Folklore Arts Performances

Traditional Handcrafts

Traditional Souk

Kids’ Village

Women Mikshat

RV Camping

Festival Program

DATE

ACTIVITIES

TIME

WingFoil Racing World Cup Twin tip board Kitesurf race

- -

Salahah AlBwanish Sailing Race Al Mugheirah Traditional Rowing Race

2:00 pm 4:00 pm

Beach Volleyball Competition Beach football Competition

4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm

Carrom Competition Domino Competition

Traditional Games (Krabi, Matarih (Wrestling), Shaa, Ring/ Dahrawi)

Sunday 19 March 2023

“Doll House” Theatre Performance

8:00 pm

Cooking Workshops Kids’ Workshops

4:30 – 8:00 pm 4:00 – 9:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm 4:00 – 10:00 pm

Stage Performances and Activities

Folklore Arts Performances

Traditional Handcrafts

Traditional Souk

Kids’ Village

Women Mikshat

RV Camping

Main Stage - اﻟﻤﺴﺮح اﻟﺮﺋﯿﺴﻲ

Kingfish Championship - ﺑﻄﻮﻟﺔ اﻟﻜﻨﻌﺪ

Bait Al Nawakhethah - ﺑﯾت اﻟﻧواﺧذة

Mikshat - اﻟﻤﻜﺸﺎت

Cooking Workshops - ورش اﻟطﺑﺦ

Traditional Handicrafts - اﻟﺣرف اﻟﯾدوﯾﺔ

Traditional Souk - اﻟﺳوق اﻟﺷﻌﺑﻲ

Beach Volleyball - ﻛﺮة اﻟﻄﺎﺋﺮة اﻟﺸﺎﻃﺌﯿﺔ

Saif Bin Zayed Academy - أﻛﺎدﯾﻣﯾﺔ ﺳﯾف ﺑن زاﯾد

Food Trucks - ﺑﺎﺣﺔ اﻟﻣطﺎﻋم

Beach Football - ﻛرة اﻟﻘدم اﻟﺷﺎطﺋﯾﺔ

Participating Companies & Entities - اﻟﻣؤﺳﺳﺎت واﻟﺟﮭﺎت اﻟﻣﺷﺎرﻛﺔ

Kids Village - ﻗرﯾﺔ اﻷطﻔﺎل

Traditional Activities - اﻷﻟﻌﺎب اﻟﺷﻌﺑﯾﺔ

Car Parking - ﻣواﻗف اﻟﺳﯾﺎرات

دﻟﯿﻞ اﻟﻤﮭﺮﺟﺎن

Festival Guide

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