(MENAFNEditorial) Schoolchildren across Abu Dhabi are getting the chance to get up close and personal with the Volvo Ocean Race – the round-the-world yacht challenge that is currently heading full speed towards the UAE capital – with the launch of a schools programme for the action-packed Destination Village being built on the city's Corniche Breakwater.
The unprecedented four-day programme will start on 14th December, with 50 Arabic and English-speaking schools across the emirate being invited to tour the Village to learn more about the epic race, as well as the UAE capital's very own entrant – Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, onboard the Volvo 65 yacht 'Azzam'.
Following an in-school activation programme involving a DVD promo and familiarisation with the Azzam Tracker phone app, students will be welcomed into the Destination Village for a 90-minute tour. They'll see the Volvo 65 'cut-out' display, which features a full-size Volvo Ocean 65 cross-section, and be able to explore the interior of the state-of-the-art yacht which the sailors call home for nine months. They'll see a short film in the 3D 'Experience Dome', before visiting the 'Boatyard' to get up close to the actual boats.
Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club (ADSYC) will introduce the children to the sport of sailing while Al Mahara Diving Centre will take them through water safety and marine conservation tips and the children will get the opportunity to meet the dugong mascot Sharky.
Alongside the Destination Village experience, the programme is running an in-school competition that challenges children to design a sail on one piece of A4 paper. The five best submissions will be displayed in the Destination Village. The winning entry will be invited to the ADOR shore base to meet the sail-maker, where their design will be transformed into a real sail, to be displayed on a boat on the beach. The winner will also receive a six-month membership at Adventure HQ in Dalma Mall Abu Dhabi, worth AED1,500. Runners-up will get two free tickets to Wadi Adventure in Al Ain.
By reaching approximately 4,000 students, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), which is hosting the VOR and the stopover festival, is hoping to inspire and excite children about the Volvo Ocean Race, and sailing in general.
"Ensuring we leave a legacy for the next generation is a fundamental priority of our Volvo Ocean Race hosting. This partnership will deliver a platform for our youth community to learn about the race, the precious environment of the world's oceans and hopefully become fans of Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing," said Mohamed Al Zaabi of TCA Abu Dhabi. "I can't wait to see the excitement on their faces when they learn how the VOR sailors sleep and eat!"
Schools wanting to be part of the programme can get involved by emailing NicoleS@worldsport.ae.
Up to 175,000 people are expected to visit Abu Dhabi's VOR Destination Village, which will open to the public on December 12 until January 3, when the race fleet departs for its next endurance sailing leg to Sanya, China.
For more information about Abu Dhabi's 2014/15 VOR Stopover please go to www.volvooceanraceabudhabi.com or visit our Facebook and Twitter pages at www.facebook.com/AbuDhabiOceanRacing and @ADORlog
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