Innovative community boating event raises funds for the environment
Local businesses and schools support conservation of endangered turtles
Dubai, UAE, 15 December 2010: Last month, thousands of spectators lined up in Festival Marina at the Dubai Creek as more than 30 local companies and schools participated in the third annual 'Whatever Floats Your Boat' competition - a unique environmental event for charity where teams race rafts they have made entirely out of recycled materials. The race was organised by the InterContinental Hotels Group and Dubai Festival City in association with Mourjan Marinas IGY.
The afternoon event was held at Festival Marina on Friday 26th November 2010, with activities provided by the Festival Centre's resident band "Take 3" who entertained the audience and competitors from the floating stage.
The charity function raised an amazing AED 40 000, which will all be donated to the Emirates Wildlife Society in association with World Wide Fund for Nature (EWS-WWF). The EWS-WWF will use the proceeds to support the ongoing conservation of a critically endangered species of turtle native to the UAE. In recognition of the event and the tremendous efforts made by the participating teams, one of the lucky mammals will be sponsored and named "Whatever Floats Your Boat".
Katrin Müller, Marketing Manager of Mourjan Marinas IGY said:
"The benefits of this innovative environmental event are twofold. Not only are we delighted to continue our support of the EWS-WWF and the tremendous work they do in helping to preserve our local fauna, but we are also proud to spread a strong message of recycling throughout the Emirates, and to reinforce the massive difference it makes to our communities and our planet."
In the Corporate Division, The InterContinental Hotel Group was the fastest team across the marina with their craft 'The Goonies'. The Best Boat Award went to Masafi and the Best Costume Award was taken by Gulftainer racing in "The Flinstones".
The fastest boat in the School Division was awarded to the Dubai Gem School racing in the 'Water Dragon', and the Best Boat Award went to the Al Bedaya School. The Dubai Gem School collected a second award for Best Costume with another vessel, "Return of the Astronauts".
Event organisers are already encouraging entries for next year's competition to start recycling now – to make a difference to their local environments and to ensure a strong entry for 2011.
For further information about the Whatever Floats Your Boat event and Mourjan Marinas IGY's activities, you can visit the newly designed website www.mourjanmarinas.com. The website provides user friendly access for those looking to learn more about one of the world's leading luxury marina companies.