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On 13 June 2009, the first ever team from the United Arab Emirates ("UAE") will climb into their canoe and embark upon one of the most challenging endurance races in the world, the Texas Water Safari, a 2-4 day non-stop canoe marathon in which more than 25% of competitors do not reach the finish-line. The team has been training since December 2008 and are racing in support of the Red Crescent and Calvert Trust charities, hoping to raise more than AED 50,000 for charitable causes in the Middle East.
If all goes to plan, the Abu Dhabi Camels will cross the finish-line in the Gulf of Mexico within the permitted 100 hours, having paddled non-stop the equivalent of the distance between Abu Dhabi to Bahrain. This is the first time that a team from the UAE has entered the event, described by Forbes Magazine as “the toughest boat race in the world“. Representing a major test of fitness, teamwork and sheer determination, the Texas Water Safari is a 416 km (260 mile) canoe race on the San Marcos and Guadalupe Rivers in Texas, USA. Crucially, competitors are required to carry all of their supplies (apart from water and ice) in their canoes, a feat requiring careful planning and consideration, particularly in view of the significant calorific expenditure required for powering the canoe at speed for up to 100 hours with little or no sleep and in the black darkness the Texas night. Whilst no lives have been claimed in the event's 44 year history, there have been a number of close calls and saftey precautions are critical. The race's organisers make sure that all race entrants are aware of the dangers associated with the event, and all competitors have to sign disclaimers and waivers acknowledging the potential hazards. The Abu Dhabi Camels is made up of four expats based in Abu Dhabi and Dubai: James Dauman, Simon Dowker and Jean-Marc Laventure will paddle, while Charlotte Dauman, the official Team Captain, will drive the support vehicle and check the canoe in at the various check-points. The team commenced training in December 2008 and have forged a multi-faceted training regime involving regular canoe trips in the mangroves and water-ways around Abu Dhabi island, a regimented gym based fitness training programme at the Abu Dhabi Health & Fitness Club and outdoor cardio-vascular training including long runs in the heat of the day. |
Raised:
77%
Target: £5,000.00
Raised so far: £3,855.00
Raised so far: £3,855.00
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Congratulations camels, see you in AD sometime soon Donation by Ben Faber on 07/08/09 |
£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid |
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congrats. great effort. Donation by Murray P-C on 01/07/09 |
£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid |
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Fantastic effort, very well done! Donation by Nick Moores on 26/06/09 |
£25.00 |
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An absolutely fantastic achievement! Well done to all of you. We are sooooo impressed. Donation by Nats & Sam on 24/06/09 |
£35.00 |
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Unbelievable. What an achievement. Well done to the three of you. Donation by Reggie Febrer-Bowen on 22/06/09 |
£100.00 |
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Huge congratulations!! You are all an inspiration. x Donation by Katie B on 18/06/09 |
£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid | |
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Congratulations! Donation by Philip on 18/06/09 |
£40.00 + £11.28 Gift Aid | |
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Well done fellas- amazed you managed to carry Dauman that far... Donation by Briggsy on 18/06/09 |
£10.00 | |
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i promise i was still going to donate if you didnt make it- i was just running late! Donation by adrian on 17/06/09 |
£25.00 | |
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Best of luck! Donation by Jules on 17/06/09 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid | |
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Row team, Row!! Donation by Alice Thompson on 16/06/09 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid | |
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Go Team! keeping my fingers crossed - I know you can do it, show those other teams how we Brits canoe! Donation by Bean on 14/06/09 |
£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid | |
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Dig deep. Good luck to you all. Donation by John and Anne on 12/06/09 |
£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid | |
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Hope its all going well and you've not been eaten by a crocodile. Sorry this is a bit late but ive made for it by the staggering amount! x Donation by Lucy Dauman on 12/06/09 |
£5.00 | |
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Go the Abu Dhabi camel toes! Donation by Elliot on 11/06/09 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid | |
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Good luck Steels - keep it locked and loaded. Head down, no chicking. Donation by Robbie & Karen on 10/06/09 |
£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid | |
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Bonkers....just bonkers! Donation by Barnes + Livs on 10/06/09 |
£40.00 + £11.28 Gift Aid | |
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What a challenge for a good cause! To lift your morale, I will donate another GBP 100 if you make it to the finishing line.Good Luck Donation by Ismail Dadabhoy on 10/06/09 |
£100.00 | |
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Remember it's all in the attitude. Especially when you hit Monkey island.... Donation by Simon West on 10/06/09 |
£50.00 | |
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Say hi to the alligators... Donation by Mahmoud on 09/06/09 |
£150.00 | |
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Game on! Donation by Ian on 09/06/09 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid | |
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You are bonkers! Good Luck, may the force be with you. Donation by Bear on 08/06/09 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid | |
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Enjoy!! Donation by Jon Maxmin on 08/06/09 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid | |
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have a good one pal. Donation by Ben, Hayley & Max on 08/06/09 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid | |
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You're very brave and a little crazy; have no doubt you will do brilliantly, best of luck. Donation by Sarah Binder on 07/06/09 |
£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid | |
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Go guys go!!!! let's get it done!!! Donation by Massimo on 05/06/09 |
£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid | |
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Just missed being home for this event. Bummer. Sure it is quite a seen. Good luck. Donation by Steve Matzie on 03/06/09 |
£25.00 | |
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Happy paddling! Hope theres plenty of water in the river otherwise happy kayak carrying! Good Luck Donation by John Hoyle on 03/06/09 |
£30.00 | |
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Feel the burn boys, hopefully all your hard work & 'training' will pay off. If all else fails JM can always pull out the big guns..... Donation by Beth & James on 03/06/09 |
£100.00 | |
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On behalf of The Abu Dhabi Thunder! Good luck. Donation by Bouchers on 02/06/09 |
£50.00 |
| * Total raised online: | £3,755.00 |
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| Offline donations: | £100.00 |
| Gift Aid plus supplement: | £665.64 |
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Find out how much it is and what we do for it.