PROMOTING SAILING IN THE EMIRATE OF DUBAI SINCE 1974

DOSC was born in 1974 as a result of the extreme generosity and support of His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai and Vice President of the UAE, who granted land along the coastline to the DOSC founders for the purpose of sailing.

At the time, the Club was fairly basic, consisting only of a compound with hard standing for boat storage, a launching ramp and another area covered by a barasti roof which provided much-needed shade for weary sailors and their cool boxes.

Today, DOSC has excellent facilities enjoyed by over 700 members, a marina with 152 berths, a welcoming Clubhouse and a busy social calendar.

dosc: THE FIRST DECADE

9 June, 1974

Guy and Caroline Temple, alongside a group of fellow sailing enthusiasts, decide to explore the idea of starting an offshore sailing club. The inaugural meeting was held on 15 July, 1974.

11 August, 1974

One month after the inaugural meeting, His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai and Vice President of the United Arab Emirates, granted an area of land in Umm Suqeim Harbour to be used for the purposes of sailing for Emiratis and expatriates alike. The club was named the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club, under the patronage of HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Commander in Chief of Dubai Defence Force.

October - December, 1974

DOSC gets off to a flying start with the first sailing race held at on 18 October, 1974. The following month, on 8 November, sailing legend John Oakley visits DOSC. On 6 December, Clive and Jo Bolton place first in the Bahrain Regatta.

April, 1976

The first Arabian Gulf Laser Association Race takes place from 8 -9 April, started by His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Later in the same month, the first Offshore Island Race takes place.

June, 1976

The first DOSC clubhouse is built. The very limited facilities mean that the main reason to join the Club is a genuine love of the sea and sailing. Fortunately, there are many people who are interested, and the Club grows rapidly. Such is the demand that on three occasions Sheikh Ahmed requests a grant of additional land from his father. With the supreme generosity of the Maktoum family, Sheikh Rashid kindly agrees.

OCTOBER, 1976

DOSC is honoured by a visit from Danish yatchsman Paul Elvstrom, winner of four Olympic gold medals and eleven world titles in eight different types of boat.

november, 1977

British yachtsman and double Olympic gold medalist Rodney Pattison visits DOSC. Having brought home the gold for Great Britain in the 1968 and 1972 Olympics, along with the silver in 1976, Pattison held the record of most successful Olympic yachtsman until 2008 when Ben Ainslie took home his third gold medal from Beijing.

Dosc ventures into international waters: 1977 - 83

1977: Clive Bolton is the first DOSC representative at the World Laser Championships
1978: First DOSC representative sails at Cowes
1980: Chris Trench represents DOSC at the World Sailboard Championships in September. The following month, Clive Bolton and Rick Holyoaks head for the World HobieCat Championships
1981: Roger Williams is the first DOSC rep to enter the World Laser Apprentice Masters
1982: Guy and Caroline Temple represent DOSC at the World Laser Masters in May, followed by an appearance at the US National Brindle Championships in September by Clive and Jo Bolton, Maarten Van Der Harst and Mike Maurenbrecher
1983: Guy Temple is DOSC's first rep at the World Laser Grand Masters in November. The same month, Barbara Couldrey enters the Women's Laser Worlds

1983

American competitive sailor and two-time Olympic silver medalist Randy Smyth visits DOSC with his wife Suzy.

1984

A good year for DOSC sailors with Maarten van der Harst winning the European Prindle 15′ catamaran championships and Roger Williams coming fourth in the Laser Masters World Championships in the Apprentice Division. The Boultons and the Temples acome first and second respectively in the US National Prindle 16′ catamaran championships, beating many Americans on their home waters.

DUBAI OFFSHORE SAILING CLUB