Monday 20 April 2015

Swimming in Dubai - JBR beach

I woke up 5:30 and aimed for Jumeira Beach Residence. It was still dark.

6:30 I swam out in the Gulf for my first long distance swim in open sea ever. After 400 meters warm up to the closest buoy we started swimming for real. We were supposed to do sprints but I must confess I had problem with the stream and keeping the direction. Anyhow I soon fell into a motion and rhythm I never had before. I realized how much a poolside turning interrupts the swimming. 













Paul taught me how to pep for the direction while swimming. I probably swam 50% more than the others but I didn't mind. 

For every breath I could see the sun rising behind the skyline. It was awesome. This is really Dubai as best.

Image shot 60 minutes after swim started














We swam 1800 meters, had a shower at Hilton and then a quick coffee. Thirty minutes later I was asleep at my niece's flat. What a heavenly morning!  


I think a new long distance swimmer were born that morning!














I swam two more times that week - Thursday at Roy's beach and Friday alone at JBR. My path stopped looking like zig zack and I truly enjoyed every stroke. On Friday I had a lovely 20 minutes chat with an incredible fast long distance swimmer I met in open sea. He was a dustinguished Englishman - age 72. He gave me hope :)


Do you want to swim in Dubai?

Anyone who cares to join TriDubai's swimming should first register at www.tridubai.org and then join their Facebookgroup. Membership and swimming is for free. Everone is very kind and helpful - be in touch and you will have a good time.

Beaches and time of the day might change so you MUST read Facebook before going to the beach and make sure you know what beach you are heading for. Cab drivers, TriDubai's webpage and locals might not be updated. Roy's Beach is for example the same as Umm Suqeim  Beach but not everyone knows. Luckily Google Maps know where it is now adays

Have fun!



Roy's beach is easy to find if you know the impressive building Burj Al Arab or
Umm Suqeim beach/park