Riding the waves

The kingdom could produce the Gulf's first solo round-the-world sailor if the boys from Bahrain Team Pindar have their way.

The British-based sailing outfit carries the Bahrain name as a gift from team boss Andrew Pindar and its Vendee Globe solo round-the-world racing yacht is named the King Hamad.

The man who took that boat on the treacherous Vendee journey, Brian Thompson, was in Bahrain this week along with Ian Williams, Team Pindar's two-time champion of the World Match Race Tour - the Grand Prix of sailing.

The pair visited the BIC for the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix and also put in an appearance at the first Bahrain Boat Show which saw boats worth more than BD30 million on the water at Amwaj Marina.

Brian said: "We are really enjoying being in Bahrain, we have received a tremendous welcome from everyone we've met, the people here are very warm and friendly towards us."

Ian added: "The aim of 'Sail Bahrain', the programme we are involved in, is to promote sailing in Bahrain to get more young people and families involved and also hopefully to establish an academy so that the island can get more involved in competitive sailing too.

"We've been looking at venues and Bahrain has some great sailing conditions so it's the ideal place for this to really take off."

The sailor first visited the island in December straight after winning his second World Match Race Tour title and attended the Kingdom Match Race held at the Bahrain Sailing Club. At the same time he was scouting venues in the hope of bringing a World Match Race Tour event to the island in the future.

And Brian added: "It's an island nation but it seems that for a while the sea has been a little bit forgotten so we want to encourage people to get back out on the water whether it be sailing, windsurfing, jet-skiing, kite surfing or whatever and to establish venues and instructors to ensure it's all done safely.

"With the right encouragement there's no reason we couldn't see a Bahraini competing in the Vendee Globe in 2016 and becoming the first Arab to sail around-the-world single handed."

The pair toured the Bahrain Boat Show meeting fellow boating enthusiasts who had come to see the dozens of stunning crafts on display from the Riva Opera Super, 85ft of gleaming power with four luxurious cabins plus crew space, to the smaller and more sprightly cabin cruisers and speed boats, not to mention the jet-skis and surf kites and all other things marine and maritime.

The event was opened on Tuesday by Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa, chief executive of the Economic Development Board, and has attracted visitors from across the Gulf.

As the official largest exhibitor at the event, ART Marine is a one of the leading distributors of leisure yachts in the region, and is the exclusive importer and distributor for the well known Azimut-Benetti brand of luxury motor yachts for 13 countries, including Bahrain.

Capt Alessio Tumbiolo, ART Marine chairman, said: "The Kingdom of Bahrain is a wonderful place and great island to enjoy yachts. Being at the first Bahrain Boat Show as the largest exhibitor with 11 yachts, demonstrates ART Marine's commitment to the yachting industry"

Also exhibiting at the event was the AJM Kooheji Group. "Holding a boat show here is a fantastic idea" said director Isa Kooheji. "It's great for the economy and gives Bahrain the opportunity to show off its numerous new developments as well as some finished ones like Amwaj."

Other key exhibitors at the event include Alfardan Marine, which boasted three motor yachts at the event, including the extravagant world class Riva 85, and Intercol, who showcased their state of the art MTU and Volvo Penta marine engines for the first time in Bahrain.

There was something for every boat enthusiast at the Boat Show, from the very latest in fish finding technology to funky personal transporters, but the chance to go on board the sensational super yachts was one not to be missed.

Wael Juju, CEO of event organiser Knotika Holding said: "It's been great! Planning and holding an event for the first time in any country is always an exciting challenge. The support and co-operation we have all received from everyone here has been truly outstanding - a real Bahraini welcome!