ABU DHABI WATER FESTIVAL

Lausanne, September 29th, 1998 - The Biggest Event of its Kind in the Gulf Hosting what will be the biggest event of its kind in the region, Abu Dhabi has reason to add one more plume to its cap of achievements in the region.

The Water Festival, which will be held in conjunction with the Formula 1 Powerboat World Championship and Gulf Aqua '98, will bring Abu Dhabi once again into the spotlight of the world's marine and sports industries and enthusiasts. To be held in Abu Dhabi during the week of the National Day celebrations, 2nd to 6th December 1998, The Water Festival , will be held at the Corniche Break water area.

The Festival is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, and is organized by the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club in association with Idea Marketing (U.I.M.) and Time-Gmasco Advertising. The following events are part of The Water Festival :

Grand Parade: The festival kicks off with the competitors, exhibitors and sponsors, all coming together in a grand parade along the Corniche. Starting from the Hilton to the Sheraton and back - a total of 14 km.  

Formula 1 Powerboat World Championship: The powerboat race is one of the most thrilling and competitive sport events to watch. And we are promised yet another nail-biting climax to this world's premier waterborne race in the final round in Abu Dhabi. This race will unravel the 1998 World Powerboat Racing Champion.  

Water Ski-Jumping Championship: The 10 best ski-jumpers from around the world have been invited to participate in this event. Jumps, upto 80 metres in length, will be made off specially built ramps. The prize money offered is sure to lure several ski-jumping champions to the event.

Abu Dhabi Aqua Bike Open: Participants from different countries will be competing neck-to-neck in Abu Dhabi's very own Jet Ski Race.  

Abu Dhabi Moto-Cross Race: Experienced amateurs and professional riders will be competing alongside in this exciting, pulse racing event, set to take place on a specially designed race track, with thrilling jumps and manoeuvres around banked bends. The specially built Moto-Cross motorcycles, which are not seen on public roads, will be another attraction for the spectators.  

Gulf Aqua '98: Coming together in the biggest regional event of its kind will be the best names in the marine industry, ranging from items relating to the marine world, including aqua sports equipment, boats, desalination items, pumps, etc. The exhibition will be held in an area purpose built as an attractive village, within a single marquee, on the breakwater itself. The show hours for Gulf Aqua '98 are from 10 am to 10 pm every day from 2nd to 6th December '98. This is the first time in the Gulf that an exhibition will focus completely on all major sectors of the marine industry.

Gulf Aqua '98 is being organized by Top Gear Promotions in association with Time-Gmasco Advertising.   An integral part of Gulf Aqua '98 will be an International Boat Show, where the world's major pleasure and commercial boat manufacturers will be displaying their latest marine craft, including state of the art luxury yachts. This will be the first time in Abu Dhabi that a prestigious Boat Show of this magnitude is being hosted, with over 40,000 prospective buyers expected to visit the site.   Provision have been made to make this 5 day Water Festival a special attraction for families as well. There will be a variety of food outlets and amusement facilities in close proximity to the venue of these events.   All in all the Abu Dhabi Water Festival promises to be one of the biggest and most exciting event of its kind to be held in the UAE.

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