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Target: £5,000.00
Raised so far: £3,855.00
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My story

 
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.

 

Congratulations camels, see you in AD sometime soon Donation by Ben Faber 07/08/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

congrats. great effort. Donation by Murray P-C 01/07/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Fantastic effort, very well done! Donation by Nick Moores 26/06/09  

£25.00

An absolutely fantastic achievement! Well done to all of you. We are sooooo impressed. Donation by Nats & Sam 24/06/09  

£35.00

Unbelievable. What an achievement. Well done to the three of you. Donation by Reggie Febrer-Bowen 22/06/09  

£100.00

Huge congratulations!! You are all an inspiration. x Donation by Katie B 18/06/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Congratulations! Donation by Philip 18/06/09  

£40.00 + £11.28 Gift Aid

Well done fellas- amazed you managed to carry Dauman that far... Donation by Briggsy 18/06/09  

£10.00

i promise i was still going to donate if you didnt make it- i was just running late! Donation by adrian 17/06/09  

£25.00

Best of luck! Donation by Jules 17/06/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Row team, Row!! Donation by Alice Thompson 16/06/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Go Team! keeping my fingers crossed - I know you can do it, show those other teams how we Brits canoe! Donation by Bean 14/06/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Dig deep. Good luck to you all. Donation by John and Anne 12/06/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

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 12/06/09  

£5.00

Go the Abu Dhabi camel toes! Donation by Elliot 11/06/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck Steels - keep it locked and loaded. Head down, no chicking. Donation by Robbie & Karen 10/06/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Bonkers....just bonkers! Donation by Barnes + Livs 10/06/09  

£40.00 + £11.28 Gift Aid

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 10/06/09  

£100.00

Remember it's all in the attitude. Especially when you hit Monkey island.... Donation by Simon West 10/06/09  

£50.00

Say hi to the alligators... Donation by Mahmoud 09/06/09  

£150.00

Game on! Donation by Ian 09/06/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

You are bonkers! Good Luck, may the force be with you. Donation by Bear 08/06/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Enjoy!! Donation by Jon Maxmin 08/06/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

have a good one pal. Donation by Ben, Hayley & Max 08/06/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

You're very brave and a little crazy; have no doubt you will do brilliantly, best of luck. Donation by Sarah Binder 07/06/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Go guys go!!!! let's get it done!!! Donation by Massimo 05/06/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Just missed being home for this event. Bummer. Sure it is quite a seen. Good luck. Donation by Steve Matzie 03/06/09  

£25.00

Happy paddling! Hope theres plenty of water in the river otherwise happy kayak carrying! Good Luck Donation by John Hoyle 03/06/09  

£30.00

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 03/06/09  

£100.00

On behalf of The Abu Dhabi Thunder! Good luck. Donation by Bouchers 02/06/09  

£50.00
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