Sailing lessons in Doha

One of the fabulous things we have had an opportunity to do is for the boys to have sailing lessons at the Qatar Sailing and Rowing Federation. It is next to the Marriot Hotel on the harbour. Like all facilities in Qatar, particularly those associated with anything that showcases the country, the equipment staffing and resourcing is top class.

The boys, along with sundry other kids of all nationalities, have been taken in hand by Captain Arshad who coaches the national Qatar team. He is an ex-navy man, very knowledgable and professional and he loves teaching kids. It's just as well because from what I've observed once the kids are on the water it's like herding cats and herding them from a distance with a loudhailer using at least three languages that I have made out - English, Arabic and Hindi.

We have 8 lessons in a row, from 4pm - 5.30 each day. The boys have a little lecture and then go out in the Club's Optimists. They are both really enjoying it and are doing really well. They have learned how to sail in any direction, the "rules of the road" in a yacht, and have learned how to deal with their yacht capsizing. After this set of lessons there will be an opportunity to pay a small monthly fee and have the boys go along a couple of times a week to use the Club Optimists under supervision.

I have read the new Harry Potter book during the last few days and also made friends with lots of other parents there, from all kinds of different countries.

There are quite a few local Qataris there also - sailing and pearl fishing was one of the traditional occupations here; a love of the sea is very evident when you see them. One of the Qatari dads hailed me yesterday as I was standing on the jetty. He was swimming in the water, bobbing along with his little daughter, complete with a diving mask and a lit cigarette expertly held above the water as he floated along.