Participants in action during the MIA Park Paddle Race Series event at Museum of Islamic Art Park in Doha.
By Sports Reporter/Doha
Sports enthusiasts from around the country flocked to the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) Park on Friday to take part in the first competition of the inaugural MIA Park Paddle Race Series. The event, which was organised by SUP Ohana – Qatar, part of AquaSports, brought together 37 men, women, and children of various ages and skill levels.
Featuring a jam-packed schedule, the day consisted of a series of activities, including a 6km long-distance stand-up paddleboard (SUP) and surf ski race, as well as a number open kayak races.
“It was great to see Qatar’s community of paddlers coming together to spend a fun day on the water and get to know each other,” said SUP Ohana – Qatar lead instructor Pamela Jaimes. “From beginners to more experienced paddlers and spectators, everyone had great time. As paddling sports continue to garner interest in Qatar, we only hope that the community will keep growing and we see even more people joining in on the fun.”
SUP Ohana – Qatar’s inaugural MIA Park Paddle Race Series is set to feature a number of races throughout the year. The next competition date will be announced soon through their website (www.aquasportsqatar.com) and social media channels (Facebook).
“The conditions looked tough in the morning, but it was great to see so many people taking part. Being out on the water gave you a new perspective of Doha, and the backdrop of the Museum of Islamic Art made it even more special! Everyone had such a great day, I am sure this series will grow to become a key fixture in the Doha diary. Thanks to AquaSports and SUP Ohana – Qatar for organising such a great event,” said competitor Shweab Sadiq.
SUP Ohana – Qatar runs classes seven days a week from the MIA park, ranging from introductory lessons for novices, to Level 2 classes for more seasoned paddlers.
