Longboard surfers make waves in historic first Gulf contest

Longboard surfers make waves in historic first Gulf contest
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Steven Sawyer and Alice Lemoigne won the maiden competition of the Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic on Sunday. (Supplied)
Longboard surfers make waves in historic first Gulf contest
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World No. 1 longboard surfer Taylor Jensen at the Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic on Sunday. (Supplied)
Longboard surfers make waves in historic first Gulf contest
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Steven Sawyer at the Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic on Sunday. (Supplied)
Longboard surfers make waves in historic first Gulf contest
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World No. 1 longboard surfer Taylor Jensen and world No. 2 longboard surfer Rachael Tilly at the Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic. (Supplied)
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Updated 01 October 2024
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Longboard surfers make waves in historic first Gulf contest

Longboard surfers make waves in historic first Gulf contest
  • Steven Sawyer, Alice Lemoigne win maiden competition
  • Abu Dhabi hosts surfers at the world’s biggest wave pool

ABU DHABI: Steven Sawyer and Alice Lemoigne etched their names in the history books as the first champions of the Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic on Sunday, marking a special milestone for the sport and the UAE as the World Surf League celebrated its maiden venture in the Gulf.

Abu Dhabi is no stranger to hosting elite-level professional sporting events which includes the participation of stars from the NBA, Formula 1, UFC, World Tennis Association and FIFA. But not many would have predicted that surfing would be the next big thing to land on Emirati shores.

The lack of surfable natural waves on the country’s coastlines has made way for the establishment of Surf Abu Dhabi, a spectacular venue that is home to the world’s biggest wave pool.

Situated on Hudayriyat Island in the UAE capital, the wave pool spans 75,000 sq. meters, with a basin that can accommodate 30 surfers. It is powered by Kelly Slater Wave Co. technology, which produces the longest, open-barrel, high-performance, human-made wave on the planet.

The pool is 3 meters deep and features saltwater waves that range from mellow beach-break whitewash to perfect barrels and high-performance sections. That makes it suitable for surfers of all levels, while also being fit to host competitive WSL action.

 

 

Over the weekend, the world’s best longboard surfers competed at Surf Abu Dhabi, which hosted the third stop of the WSL’s Longboard Tour.

It gave sports fans in the country an early taste of what is to come, with the WSL set to return to the UAE capital in February 2025, for the second stop of the Championship Tour, bringing together 60 of the world’s best shortboarders.

“This is incredible. This is really such a unique experience. I’ve been on tour for a long time and this takes the cake. It’s something new and unique and state-of-the-art, it’s pretty amazing to be a part of,” world No. 1 longboard surfer Taylor Jensen told Arab News of Surf Abu Dhabi on the sidelines of last weekend’s competition.

From the very beginning, the wave pool was constructed by property group Modon with the idea of hosting high-performance surfing events.

“This here was part of the initial negotiations for when we decided to build the pool, it was in tandem,” explained Ryan Watkins, the general manager of Surf Abu Dhabi.

“While we approached Kelly Slater Wave Co. to say we want the technology, we also went to the World Surf League to say: ‘If we build it, will you come?’

“And the answer was: ‘Absolutely, we’d love to bring surfing to the Middle East, we want to raise the profile of surfing and breed a whole new group of surfers that have never even thought about it.’”

The idea quickly materialized as a win-win for everyone involved.

Abu Dhabi has created an opportunity to place itself on the global surfing map, while the sport has entered a new market in a region that lacks natural waves.

“I think until not too long ago, surfing has really been limited just to those coastal towns and where the oceans and waves break,” said world No. 2 longboard surfer Rachael Tilly.

“So the fact that surfing is now getting to go beyond just the coastlines and go into countries that don’t have natural waves coming to them, I think it’s really special.

“It’s able to immerse people into the sport that we love so much. It’s a sport that has given me so much, beyond competition, just in my life. So for people here to get that experience, to ride a wave and touch that, I think it’s the best ever. It’s so special that it’s now here.”

 

 

Jensen echoed Tilly’s sentiments and was thrilled to be a part of this inaugural edition of the Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic. “The whole environment around the wave, getting to stand up on the deck and look out and watch people surf is something you don’t get in the ocean.

“Normally on the beach you’re really far away, this is up close and personal and just a really cool experience from a spectator point of view,” Jensen noted.

The surfing purists are not big fans of wave pools and prefer to see the sport stick to its roots. But there are many advantages to staging a competition in a wave pool, and it is a trend that will continue to grow.

Ocean surfing competitions rely heavily on weather and wind conditions. A surfing event on the WSL’s Championship Tour has a 10-day window for four days of competition.

And if conditions are not suitable for surfing, action is canceled and everyone has to wait for a more favorable setting. That makes it hard for spectators to attend and broadcast partners to plan their coverage.

“The great thing about a wave pool and surfing is you can actually schedule it so you can have crowds and they can come and even though it’s new to them as a sport, it’s a lot easier to consume it as a fan if you know when it’s going to be on,” said Andrew Stark, president of the WSL Asia Pacific.

“I think surfers are always going to love the waves in the ocean, there’s no question about that, and the iconic waves like Pipeline and Jeffreys Bay and Tahiti … but there’s a place for wave pools, and particularly of this quality, at the Championship Tour level; a wave of this length and of this quality,” Stark added.

“You’re never going to replace all those ocean waves with multiple wave pool events, but having an iconic wave pool event on tour like this in this part of the world, I think, is really important.”

 

 

Watkins says a wave pool offers a level playing field for the surfers, unlike ocean surfing, where the elements play a huge part and luck can be a factor.

“Wave pools are springing up absolutely everywhere. And thousands and thousands of people are giving it a try and are saying, my goodness, this thing is the ultimate, this is absolutely incredible,” he said.

“We take a lot of the elements out of it. So a lot of the dangers disappear. So from currents to big waves to sharks and all the things that we love about surfing in the ocean, we eliminate those, and we create a really safe, just a professional environment that everybody can get a taste of it.

“In the ocean you’re sitting in different locations, because the ocean is alive and moving, different tides, different winds, different types of waves. So from an athlete perspective, it’s whoever gets the best wave, whoever gets the biggest wave has got a better shot of winning.

“Here we level the playing field. Everybody gets the exact same wave. It’s perfect. We’ve got the timing. We tell the surfers this is where to sit, and your wave is coming every X minutes, and they paddle in, and they get the exact same opportunity, which we love. We think it makes it really fair.”

Stark says one of the biggest takeaways from the WSL’s first event in Abu Dhabi was how excited the surfers were to be there and the experience as a whole.

“They’re so thrilled to be a part of it,” he said.

“And the other part is just how wonderful the city is. I’ve actually went myself to the Presidential Palace today, and the Grand Mosque. And you see some of the amazing tourist attractions and the diversity in this city, and to have a wave pool surrounded by all these different tourism activities and the culture that this part of the world offers, it’s amazing.

“And I think also the Hudayriyat Island, what’s happening here with the velodrome and the other sporting venues, this is going to become an international sporting precinct. And this is one of the flagship assets within it.”

Stark believes the Championship Tour event coming to Abu Dhabi next February will bring more of the surfing culture to the emirate and create an even bigger atmosphere for spectators.

“We’ll have live music here and big bands, and so it creates a real festival space as well. You know, like people go to the Formula 1, they want to go and watch motor racing, but they’re seeing like music and they’re part of a sort of culture.

“That’s what surfing is. You’ll come watch the surfing, meet the athletes, enjoy the entertainment, be a part of the waves and the culture and really enjoy that atmosphere of surfing,” he explained.

 

 

Beyond competitive surfing, what the wave pool offers for the local UAE community is an opportunity to learn how to surf, whether recreationally, or more seriously, in a perfect setting.

Watkins says the UAE has “some phenomenal surfers” and Surf Abu Dhabi provides a place for them to hone their craft.

“One of my goals is to get an Emirati team to feature and perform and do well in the 2028 Olympics, 100 percent it’s a goal that we’ve set ourselves here,” said Watkins.

“I’ve hired Olympic surf coaches as part of my team. I’ve got (an) ex-No. 1 surfer on the world qualifying series as part of my surf operations team. These guys are here and are dedicated to get people surfing. And I truly believe we can have an Emirati team in the 2028 Olympics.”


Al-Hilal win again to pile pressure on Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq

Al-Hilal win again to pile pressure on Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq
Updated 55 sec ago
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Al-Hilal win again to pile pressure on Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq

Al-Hilal win again to pile pressure on Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq
  • Three fine goals from Aleksandar Mitrovic, Malcom and Mohammed Al-Qahtani did the damage

RIYADH: Al-Hilal returned to the top of the Saudi Pro League on Friday, defeating Ettifaq 3-1 to rack up the pressure on under-fire coach Steven Gerrard.

Three fine goals from Aleksandar Mitrovic, Malcom and Mohammed Al-Qahtani did the damage as the champions moved a point clear of Al-Ittihad, who won 2–0 at Al-Orubah on Thursday. 

The loss means that Ettifaq, who started the season with three straight wins, have taken just one point from the last six games in the league. It may mean a nervous international break for Gerrard, though the Liverpool legend will know that this was a battling performance from his players, who just did not quite have the quality when needed.

While Ettifaq tried to keep it tight at the back, it was not all one-way traffic. Moussa Dembele had a couple of opportunities when the ball simply wouldn’t fall for him and Karl Toko-Ekambi shot just over from the left side, though it could have been a mishit cross.

All know, however, that you have to be ruthless and clinical when playing the 19-time Saudi champions as wastefulness is almost always punished. It took the Blues some time to get going but they started to look ominous as half-time approached.

Just before the break, Al-Hilal should have taken the lead. This season Mitrovic has been lethal inside the area and the league’s leading scorer was picked out in space near the penalty spot; the stadium held its breath but former Fulham teammate Marek Rodak got his foot to the low shot and Malcom fired the rebound wide.

Mitrovic didn’t miss in added time. Renan Lodi picked up possession on the left and the Brazilian then bent a beautiful low cross behind the Ettifaq defense and Mitrovic could not miss from inside the six-yard box for his 11th of the season.

Ettifaq were still very much in the game and ten minutes after the restart, Toko-Ekambi stretched for a low cross, and while the Cameroonian did make contact and forced a good save from Yassine Bounou, it was a great chance.

The easterners thought they were going to regret that as Mitrovic had the ball in the net once more but his close-range header was ruled out for offside. There was a lengthy VAR review but it only confirmed the referee’s original decision.

The second goal did come eventually, and when it did — in the 81st minute — it was one to remember, for the home fans at least. Malcolm was running in from the left side of the area when he was found by a smart backheel from Abdullah Al-Hamdan. The Brazilian then took the ball past the goalkeeper with his first touch and then rolled the ball home.

It seemed that there was no coming back from that — Hilal are not a team that gives up two-goal leads — but as injury time started, Ettifaq were handed a lifeline in the shape of a penalty, and up stepped Vitinho to place the ball into the bottom corner.

Unfortunately for the visitors, it served just to wake up the hosts, who quickly restored their two-goal lead, though Gerrard angrily told officials that Mitrovic had committed a foul in the build-up. The home fans enjoyed the goal, however, as Malcom fed Mohammed Al-Qahtani who turned 360 degrees to make a little space in the area and then fired a low shot home.

It got even worse for Ettifaq as Abdullah Radif was sent off for shoving Ali Al-Bulaihi in the neck. There really was no coming back from that.

All in all, it was a perfect evening’s work for Al-Hilal, even if Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard will be a little concerned that star man Salem Al-Dawsari seemed to pick up an injury — with the trip to Australia for a vital World Cup qualifier next Thursday.

Elsewhere, Al-Ahli bounced back from their defeat in the Jeddah Derby to defeat Al-Raed 2-0.


Paul Waring shoots 61 in Abu Dhabi to set 36-hole record on European tour with 19-under par

Paul Waring shoots 61 in Abu Dhabi to set 36-hole record on European tour with 19-under par
Updated 08 November 2024
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Paul Waring shoots 61 in Abu Dhabi to set 36-hole record on European tour with 19-under par

Paul Waring shoots 61 in Abu Dhabi to set 36-hole record on European tour with 19-under par
  • Waring, who opened with a 64 on Thursday, made nine birdies and an eagle in a bogey-free round at Yas Links
  • Rory McIlroy made a triple bogey on No. 17 in his second successive 67

ABU DHABI: Paul Waring hit the shot of his life to complete a career-low 11-under 61 in the second round of the Abu Dhabi Championship on Friday and establish a five-stroke lead heading into the weekend of the European tour’s first playoff event.
The No. 229-ranked Englishman hit a draw with a 3-wood from about 260 yards to inside 4 feet at No. 18 and tapped in the birdie putt to move to 19-under par for the tournament.
The European tour confirmed to The Associated Press that it is the lowest 36-hole score to par in the tour’s history.
Waring, who opened with a 64 on Thursday, made nine birdies and an eagle in a bogey-free round at Yas Links and set a course record.
First-round leader Tommy Fleetwood of England (68), Johannes Veerman of the United States (67) and Danish players Niklas Norgaard (65) and Thorbjorn Olesen (67) were tied for second place on 14 under.
Rory McIlroy made a triple bogey on No. 17 in his second successive 67 and was nine strokes off the lead.
McIlroy can clinch a sixth Race to Dubai title with a win this week.


Slot not surprised by flying start at Liverpool

Slot not surprised by flying start at Liverpool
Updated 08 November 2024
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Slot not surprised by flying start at Liverpool

Slot not surprised by flying start at Liverpool
  • Slot appeared to have a tough ask to follow Jurgen Klopp
  • The Dutch coach has won 14 and drawn one of his 16 matches in charge

Liverpool: Arne Slot said he is not shocked by a stunning start to life in charge of Liverpool as the Reds have stormed to the top of the Premier League and Champions League.
The Dutch coach has won 14 and drawn one of his 16 matches in charge in all competitions as the holders have also progressed to the League Cup quarter-finals.
Slot appeared to have a tough ask to follow Jurgen Klopp.
But he has built on the solid foundations left by the German after Liverpool finished third in the Premier League behind Manchester City and Arsenal last season.
“Surprise isn’t the right word I’d use because I knew the quality of our team. But quality is one thing, to be consistent is a second thing,” said Slot at his pre-match press conference ahead of hosting Aston Villa on Saturday.
“From the moment I started working with them I saw how much energy they put in on a daily basis and that is I think the reason you can be consistent.”
Liverpool were inspired by the power of the Anfield crowd to come from behind to beat Brighton 2-1 last weekend to move two points ahead of City at the top of the Premier League.
A similar atmosphere helped blow Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen away 4-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Slot is keen to keep his players’ feet on the ground but is happy for the fans to get excited about the possibility of just a second league title in 35 years.
“If the end result of them being excited is to bring the atmosphere of the second half against Brighton and the whole game against Leverkusen, I am hoping they will keep being excited because that atmosphere helped us a lot,” added the former Feyenoord boss.
Diogo Jota remains sidelined but should return after November’s international break.


Pakistan’s Muhammad Asif wins IBSF World Snooker Championship in Qatar

Pakistan’s Muhammad Asif wins IBSF World Snooker Championship in Qatar
Updated 08 November 2024
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Pakistan’s Muhammad Asif wins IBSF World Snooker Championship in Qatar

Pakistan’s Muhammad Asif wins IBSF World Snooker Championship in Qatar
  • Asif defeated Iran’s Ali Ghareghozlou 5-3 to clinch the title for 3rd time
  • PM Shehbaz Sharif promises to set up world-class facilities for sportsmen

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has congratulated Pakistani cueist Muhammad Asif for winning the International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) World Snooker Championship in Qatar for the third time, Pakistani state-run media reported on Thursday.
Asif defeated Iran’s Ali Ghareghozlou 5-3 to clinch the title in a thrilling final on Nov. 6. He outclassed Ali 5-3: 70-25, 7-87(84), 82(56)-8, 106(106)-08, 82-12, 43-91(58), 0-118 and 93(80)-4.
“Asif made the entire nation proud by winning the international championship for the third time,” PM Sharif was quoted as saying by the Radio Pakistan broadcaster. “The talented youth of Pakistan are highlighting the country’s name in the fields of sports.”
The IBSF, founded in 1971, is the governing body for billiards and snooker worldwide. It represents 85 member countries and is recognized by the World Confederation of Billiard Sports and the International Olympic Committee.
Asif, 42, first won the IBSF World Snooker Championship in 2012 and went on to win it again in 2019. His victory ties him with India’s Pankaj Advani who has also won the World Snooker Championship thrice.
The Pakistan prime minister said Asif’s family and coach also deserved recognition, adding that providing quality facilities to Pakistani players was top priority of his government.
“The government is making all possible efforts to provide international standard facilities to the players,” he added.
 


Raphinha’s evolution into a more versatile scorer is a big part of Flick’s great start at Barcelona

Raphinha’s evolution into a more versatile scorer is a big part of Flick’s great start at Barcelona
Updated 08 November 2024
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Raphinha’s evolution into a more versatile scorer is a big part of Flick’s great start at Barcelona

Raphinha’s evolution into a more versatile scorer is a big part of Flick’s great start at Barcelona

BARCELONA: Raphinha knew he would have a hard time getting off Barcelona’s bench with the soccer world enthralled by teen phenom Lamine Yamal and the club eyeing to sign another hot prospect in the attack.

Instead of pouting, he evolved.

While the entire Barcelona team improved under new coach Hansi Flick, no player has made such a leap forward this season as Raphinha.

His 12 goals and team-leading 10 assists across all competitions are a big part of why Barcelona is playing its best soccer since the exit of Lionel Messi more than three years ago.

But if one player looked to be on the out when the season started, it was the Brazil forward.

Raphinha seemed destined to become a second-choice right-side winger after 17-year-old Yamal helped Spain win the European Championship in dazzling style. To make matters worse, the club was heavily linked to a possible transfer bid to pry Spain left-side winger Nico Williams away from Athletic Bilbao.

That move never materialized for Williams, but Raphinha was still left with either playing in a new position or being a backup to Yamal.

And when Flick gave him the chance to have a new role, he made the most of it.