News

 

Surf House Dubai has had its fair share of visiting pros in the region, and this time we're bringing in big wave rider and adventurer, Chris Bertish, for an intimate evening in the cinemas. On 17th May 2023, we'll be having a one night only limited seating event with the man himself that set a course from Morocco (Africa) to Antigua (the Caribbean), with only himself and his stand up paddle craft. Get to know his epic adventure through the Atlantic Ocean conquering his mental and physical best to withstand 4,660 nautical miles within 93 days. 

This exclusive event will be at Cinemacity Fountain Views, Downtown Dubai and will start at 7pm (kindly come by venue by 6:30pm). Tickets to the event includes:

• Guaranteed Recliner Chair seating to watch the film
• Popcorn
• Softdrinks / Water
• Signed copy of Chris Bertish's book "ALL IN!"
• Free Valet Parking
• Q&A with Chris after the film showing

LIMITED TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE HERE

RIP CURL SUNSET OPEN 2023 POWERED BY BREITLING SURF COMPETITION

And just like that the Sunset Open is happening for this year. After a couple of hurdles on securing venue and the season being a bit lacking this year, by some miraculous fate the surf gods has blessed us with a full weekend of swell this coming 17-19 March 2023. 
We all know its sudden but as we all know, we are slaves to the forecast. Though this year just as promised, the competition is bigger than ever, with more prizes at stake and a whole lot more involved as the community just gotten bigger and bigger.

 

The tradition of the Sunset Open began in 2010. A surfing event held once a year with 3 reasons in mind:

 

1. To showcase local Emirati and expatriate surfing talent from the region.
2. To bring together the world class ocean and beach communities in the UAE.
3. To celebrate the sport of surfing (in multiple forms of wave riding) and bring more awareness to the beaches and ocean environment of the UAE.

 

It has always been held during the UAE’s most wave rich calendar months of February to March with a 5 week waiting period to give us the chance of picking the best weekend of swell in that time frame.  Falling in the back half of the winter seasons also allows surfers to have the first portion of winter to shake off summer cobwebs and refine their surfing.

 

The very first Sunset Open was unsurprisingly held on Dubai’s Sunset Beach. Half a dozen picnic gazebos, a dozen outdoor garden chairs and 20 community volunteers helped put on the events first iteration and instantly became a calendar highlight of the year. It is an event that embodies the spirit of the UAE’s surf culture. Fun waves, good vibes, a close community of familiar faces and a stoke for riding waves on par with the most revered surfing hubs around the globe.

 

The event has grown leaps and bounds in its national support, production and participation since 2010 (now 100+ competitors across all divisions), and we look forward to its inaugural hosting at the Umm Al Quwain Kite Beach Centre the second time in a row for this year in 2023.

A bit of nostalgia below, showing the first ever permit to run the competition back in 2010. 

DETAILS

Waiting Period: March 3 - March 19, 2023 (extension possible until May 2023 after Ramadan)

• Surf House Dubai will be announcing the weekend, 3-5 days before, where the best forecast of swell would be suitable to run the contest. 
• Competition will be 2 1/2 days, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Location: Kite Beach Center Umm Al Quwain

• Though in the past, we've done the contest at the surf spots in Dubai, we are doing it again with our partners at KBC to bring you a more organic and relaxed vibe with their venue ambience and of course tried and tested real quality waves.

Divisions: 7 Divisions

• Men's Shortboard | (Grand Prize: Breitling Watch | Mens)
• Women's Shortboard | (Grand Prize: Bretling Watch | Womens)
• Men's Longboard | (Grand Prize: Breitling Watch | Mens)
• Women's Longboard | (Grand Prize: Breitling Watch | Womens)
• Groms Division (12-16 years old) | (MF Softboard Surfboard)
• Supergroms Division (7-11 years old) | (Grand Prize: MF Softboard Surfboard)
• SUPsurf Mixed | (Grand Prize: Quickblade Carbon Paddle)

 

REGISTRATION

Registration is now open for competitors and spectators. Kindly see links below as competitors and spectators have different ways of registering:

Competitors - those who will be joining the competition will have to register with the below link. Registration includes your slot in the initial heats drawn, goody bag from sponsors, event t-shirt, wrist band for entrance to venue and 1 food & beverage stub to be used in the weekend. After f&b stub is used, competitors can avail of 50% discount on food & beverage by showing their wrist band provided on registration at the gates.

Link for Competitors*

Spectators - those who will be coming as a spectator will have to register in advance as entrance slots are limited to a maximum of 300 pax. For registration and more information click the link below.

Link for Spectators*

 *Deadline for Registration will be on 15th March 2023

This event could not have happened without the support of Rip Curl Middle East, Breitling Middle East, Oakley, Hydro Flask, Inox Arabia, Threefold Foundation, Loud Mood, Mikoko Umm Al Quwain, Post Performance, El Sol DXB, Carver Middle East, Sun Zapper Skincare , Badawii Swimwear, Omasi Beach and Purple Dye Boards.

Many thanks to our partners and venue sponsor Kite Beach Center UAQ. 

None of our efforts would come to fruition if it wasn't for the Surf Community in the UAE that has exponentially grown throughout the years ever since we started Surf House Dubai, to all of you, our sincerest appreciation and thanks. See you in the water!!!

 Camping and Overnight Options

You may directly inquire to Kite Beach Center UAQ for camping or overnight alternatives. 

Kite Beach Center UAQ

 UPDATES ON SCHEDULE AND HEAT DRAWS BELOW

Our long term partnership with Goumbook has just turned Surf House Dubai into a collection point for individually picked up cigarette butts at the beach!

Every month, Goumbook and collection partner Reloop will be collecting deposited cigarette butts from Surf House and Single Fin Dubai. All members of the community are encouraged to do their own #SaveTheButts by submitting even just a filled up small water bottle (220ml) with picked up cigarette butts, they get a free coffee for their efforts. By doing so, the community is doing their part in keeping our local beaches clean and helping dispose of these awful cigarette butts in a proper manner. The cigarette butts will be transformed into a sustainable material alternative to plywood.

"We are happy to announce a new partnership for our successful campaign Save The Butts - waste to value.

 

Along with Sheraton MOE, ITP and Omnicom, Surf House is the 4th member joining the campaign on a long term commitment to elevate their impact on the environment and the society.

 

Surf House has joined this impactful campaign committing to run 4 beach cleanups in 2023 and their cafe Single Fin has become a fixed collection point where everyone can bring cigarette butts found on the beach or elsewhere.

 

On their first beach cleanup a stunning amount of 6,750 cigarette butts were removed from the beach with the help of 54 volunteers, with the help of their partner Breitling and Taurus. 

 

All the cigarette butts will be transformed into a sustainable alternative to plywood, preventing plastic pollution and deforestation at the same time. 

 

With this long term partnership with Goumbook, Surf House continues its hard work promoting circular economy, as it’s already offering surf and standup paddle boards manufactured with CocoFlax, a sustainable material sourced from responsible supply chains. 

 

With this partnership, Goumbook becomes the sustainability partner for Surf House, making this alliance a strong bond to educate the residents and visitors of the UAE on how to protect the beach, the environment and the planet. 

 

Welcome Surf House, Scott, Daniel and the team, we are really happy to have you as part of this caring family."

IMPACT REPORT FROM LAST BEACH CLEAN UP (10 FEBRUARY 2023)

        

Thank you Goumbook!!!

Our campaign "Save The Butts - waste to value" is a unique initiative aimed at promoting awareness about plastic pollution and ocean conservation, as well as encouraging behavioral change.

"Save the Butts - Waste to Value" is the first sustainability initiative run in the UAE that adopts a Circular Economy approach to environmental pollution, by converting discarded cigarette butts into a sustainable alternative to plywood.

Engaging with community members to clean the environment by collectign cigarette butts from public and private locations, showing the value of their impact. 

In an interactive way, Save the Butts equips participants with the mindset and tools to tackle a real-world problem in a sustainable way.

The campaign started in February 2022 and since then it has been educating and engaging people on the importance of protecting the last natural surfing beach in Dubai, as well as all the beaches around the world.
With the help of our quarterly #SaveTheButts campaign, we are determined to make a difference and keep the beach clean for future generations to enjoy. Join us on 10th February 2023 from 3:00 - 4:30 pm for our very first #BeachCleanUp of the year and be a part of this positive change. Let's work together to turn waste into value and preserve the beauty of our ocean and beaches.

VENUE: SUNSET BEACH (Jumeirah Open Public Beach)

TIME: 3:00 - 4:30PM

MEET UP: SUNSET BEACH VIEWING DECK

The Beach Clean Up will start with the Meet Up to have a bit of briefing on what we are going to do for the duration of the clean up. To join, each participant is kindly asked to register and e-sign on the liability forms with the links below:

Registration link click HERE 

Liability registration link click HERE 

 

FOR DIRECT BOOKING ON A SEAT FOR THE EVENT CLICK HERE*

*Ticket includes the 5 set menu from the Kitchen Takeover

TASTE & SMELL

 

(IG: @chefjayps | @kooyafilipinoeatery)

MENU

Shrimp Lumpia
-Papaya salad, Coriander vinegar

Caldereta
-Lamb, roasted capsicum, tomato, halloumi

Lechon manok
-Inasal gravy, leeks, annatto

Rice
-Garlic, annatto

Peach Mango Pie

SEE

 

Nassib Azar (IG: @alon.moj)

 

Ikoy Valles (IG: @kortenijuan)

Ikoy has lived around the sea his whole life and it has been his playground. He learned through appreciating the sea, the foundation of his environmental awareness started and as a surfer, he felt that in his culture it is their responsibility for taking care of the ocean.

He discovered his passion for photography when he was in grade school, and it was only in 2015 when he started surf photography. He loves the ocean and he loves taking photos of local surfers while they play. The long hours of battling through the waves was worth it even if he only got a few good stills, and seeing surfers happy with the photos, he already has been well repaid.

Whether he's out on the water with his camera or editing his latest shot , he constantly pushing the boundaries of his art and striving for excellence in every aspect of his work.

Leomore Morana (IG: @leomoremorana)

Leomore’s surfing story started in the southern islands of the Philippines in 2010, when be began surfing and filmmaking surf trips.

While his fulltime job is as a production manager in real estate here in Dubai, you’ll still catch Leomore surfing and filming at Sunnies. Recently, he has ventured into the art of shaping and glassing boards.

“There is a lot of ways to surf, as long as you’re smiling, you’re doing it right.”

Leomore will be showing his film on his recent trip to Puntacaba, Northern Samar, Philippines featuring a Surf event promoting reforestation called "Legal Logging"

FILMS

"Ang Dagat Ang Pinagmulan" by Mike Elijansantos of My Life On Board (IG: @mylifeonboard)

How does a tourism-reliant community survive during lockdown? In San Juan, La Union, a family goes back to their roots: fishing. Set in the surfing capital of the Northern Philippines, “Ang Dagat Ang Pinagmulan” centers on the people and the municipality of San Juan - its history as a fishing village before becoming a tourism hotspot. It tackles not only the shift in the residents’ livelihood when surfing became prominent in the area, but also the changes in its water ecosystem. While exploring the effect of dormant tourism during the pandemic in both the community and the environment, the documentary presses a very important question: Is it possible for both booming tourism and thriving nature to co-exist at the same time?

Featuring the Jomarie Ebueza, Philippines' current ranked number 1 surf athlete for longboarding.

"Dandoy" by Christain Rosillo (IG: @christianrosillo | @dandoytongco)

A film about multi-boardsports athlete turned surfboard shaper Dandoy Tongco. This film from Christian Rosillo takes you to the tale of "Dandoy" and discussing his own experiences originating from a quiet town in Opon, Cebu, Philippines. His means to make a living out of his passion and direct his talents to become one of the representatives for downhill skate brands, win in competitions and use his winnings to put up not just business but also their household and means of living. Watch this artistic film to find out more of his story and be inspired on how passion can be transformed to success. 

LISTEN

 

 

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES