World-record-holding Emiratis, the Al Jasmi brothers today held a swimming master class for school children at Emirates Palace ahead of the Abu Dhabi Swimming Festival by Daman’s ActiveLife.

The swimming festival is the biggest mass-participation swimming event in Abu Dhabi with over 1,000 amateur swimmers expected to take part at Emirates Palace on 28 February.

The current FINA Male Swimmer of the Year, Chad Le Clos, who won gold in the 200m butterfly at the London Olympics, has added his name to the growing list of participants.

Sponsored by the National Health Insurance Company – Daman’s ActiveLife initiative and organised by Professional Sports Group in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the Abu Dhabi Swimming Festival by Daman’s Activelife is a fun, family swimming event which promotes a healthy and active lifestyle.

That ethos was apparent today as the Al Jasmis and Egyptian triathlete Omar Nour, who is an Activelife by Daman ambassador and spokesperson, helped led a masterclass on the iconic beachfront, giving safety and swimming tips to the students before taking to the water to demonstrate stroke and techniques.

The master class was followed by a race in the Emirates Palace waters, in which the Al Jasmi brothers, Omar Nour, and Dr Sven Rohte, Chief Commercial Officer at Daman, all competed.

Dr. Sven Rohte, Chief Commercial Officer at Daman, said: “With the increase of childhood obesity, it has become more important than ever to encourage youngsters to take up sports and lead a healthier lifestyles. Abu Dhabi Swimming Festival by Daman’s ActiveLife is a great opportunity to showcase this great sport to wide audience, especially children who will surely be inspired by the Al Jasmi brothers’ story.”

“We hope to see the Abu Dhabi Swimming Festival by Daman’s Activelife become a key fixture in the UAE’s sporting calendar. We look forward to welcoming over 1,000 swimmers of all ages and abilities take to the waters and help promote swimming as a fun and active exercise, in line with our Activelife initiative.”

Omar Nour said: “As an ambassador for Daman’s ActiveLife, I am always extremely proud to be involved in events such as this. The Abu Dhabi Swimming Festival by Daman’s Activelife is the first event of its kind in the UAE and will attract thousands of swimmers of all shapes and sizes from across the UAE, all coming together to have a fun and active day in the water.

“I am a keen advocate of leading a healthy lifestyle and I have personally turned my life around through sport and exercise. I am looking forward to seeing everyone at the Abu Dhabi Swimming Festival by Daman’s Activelife and swimming with you all in the Emirates Palace waters.”

Obaid Al Jasmi, the eldest of the Al Jasmi brothers, said: “Today was a wonderful opportunity to work with a number of school students in the run up to the Abu Dhabi Swimming Festival by Daman’s Activelife, and we are delighted to be a part of such a great event. The event will inspire and encourage the youth of the UAE to take up swimming and make the most of the country’s coastlines and swimming facilities.”

Talal Al Hashemi, Sport Technical Affairs Division Director, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “The Abu Dhabi Swimming Festival by Daman’s ActiveLife is a great initiative, aimed to promote swimming in the UAE and encourage fitness and an active life across society. The event will also raise awareness of water safety, in line with our health initiative. Abu Dhabi Sports Council is proud to be offering free places to children, to encourage the youth to participate in Abu Dhabi’s biggest mass-participation swimming event.”

The event will be held on the iconic Emirates Palace beach, with participants being treated to a range of activities in the Athlete’s Village before taking part in their race category.

Holger Schroth, General Manager of Emirates Palace said: “We are proud to be hosting the Abu Dhabi Swimming Festival by Daman’s Activelife 2015. Our Blue Flag-awarded beach will make the perfect setting for the event, and we are delighted to be the backdrop of an event which showcases what Abu Dhabi has to offer for swimmers.

“We are excited to welcome Chad Le Clos, Omar Nour and the Al Jasmi brothers to the event and have them swimming in our waters, as well as all other participants.”

Competition categories in the Abu Dhabi Swimming Festival include:

Abu Dhabi mile- 1 mile for ages 16+ (AED150)
Abu Dhabi half mile- ½ mile for ages 14+ (AED100)
Junior splash dash- 100m for ages 8-9 (FREE)
Junior splash dash- 300m for ages 10-11 (FREE)
Junior splash dash- 500m for ages 12-14 (FREE)
Parent and child relay- 300m for ages 10+ (AED80)
Parent and child relay- 100m for ages 8+ (AED80)
Adult relay (4 people)- 300m for ages 16+ (AED200) 

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