The Desert Falcons hit the water again—this time with fierce paddles and even fiercer team spirit! On Saturday, April 12, the team proudly competed at the IDBF MENA+ Club Crew Championship 2025, hosted at Corniche, Sharjah. Decked out in green and orange jerseys, the Falcons showed up early, focused, and ready to fly.
☀️ Rise and Race: Call Time and Prep
The day started bright and early. With a 6:30 AM call time, the team gathered at the race venue for last-minute prep. Team Captain Gob/Jhack, Steerer Neil, and Race Manager Lambert gave everyone a quick briefing and strategy rundown. There was excitement in the air—and for good reason!
🟢 Race 1: UAE Division 200m — A Thrilling Heat Win!
In their green jerseys, the Desert Falcons represented proudly in the UAE Division 200m, Heat 1.
🏁 Race Result — Heat 1 (UAE Division 200m):
🥇 1st Place: Desert Falcons – ⏱ 00:53.01
🥈 Firebase Alpha – 00:53.06
🥉 Dubai Gladiators – 00:55.43
What a start! Just a 0.05 second margin secured our heat win. The boat surged forward with tight coordination and sheer power from the “Amazing 8 Pairs.” What a rush!
🚀 Race 2: UAE Division Semi-Finals — Dead Heat Drama!
In Semi 1, things heated up even more. Both Desert Falcons and Emsteel clocked the exact same time—00:52.23!
🏁 Semi-Final Result (UAE Division 200m):
🥇 Emsteel – ⏱ 00:52.23
🥈 Desert Falcons – ⏱ 00:52.23
🥉 Desert Dragon 2 – 00:58.36
We advanced to the finals, fueled by heart and hustle.
💪 Final Showdown: UAE Division 200m — Top 5 Finish!
Now it was time for the big one. The UAE Division Final brought the top teams face-to-face. And while we didn’t snag the podium, we finished strong and proud.
🏁 Final Result (UAE Division 200m):
🥇 Sharjah Marine Club 2 – 00:50.03
🥈 Titans 3 – 00:50.56
🥉 Dubai Dolphins – 00:52.29
4th: Emsteel – 00:53.29
5th: Desert Falcons – ⏱ 00:53.57
6th: Dubai Gladiators – 00:54.19
A Top 5 finish in a highly competitive field of elite UAE teams is no small feat! As Race Manager Lambert said:
“Even though we missed the podium, the pride and smiles we wore say it all—undeniable and well-deserved!”
🟠 Damen Dragons in Corporate Cup — Flying High!
Switching into orange jerseys, the Damen Dragons (featuring Desert Falcons paddlers) took on the Corporate Cup category.
🏁 Corporate Cup 200m (Heat 2):
🥇 Qatar Airways Aero Dragons – 00:51.22
🥈 Damen Dragons – ⏱ 00:53.45
🥉 Emirates Airline – 00:53.48
4th: My PA – 01:18.53
A rock-solid second-place finish—less than half a second ahead of the next team! The teamwork and timing were on point.
🔥 The Heartbeat of the Team
This race day was a reminder that the Desert Falcons are more than just a team—we’re a family. When no one else was available to steer, Neil stepped up. Every paddler, whether a veteran or newbie, gave it their all.
Special thanks to the “Amazing 8 Pairs” and everyone who brought the energy, strength, and positivity. As Lambert reminded us,
“Teamwork is the secret that makes common people achieve uncommon results.”
📢 What’s Next?
We’re not done yet! The IDBF MENA+ Championship continues, and so does our journey. Stay tuned for Sunday’s race highlights, and in the meantime, relive some of our proudest training sessions:
Pingback: Desert Falcons Wrap Up Weekend with a Powerful Performance in the Community and Corporate Cup Finals - Desert Falcons Dubai