Teams announce for fifth anniversary of 'Whatever Floats Your Boat'

Schools and companies are gearing up for what will be a splashing day out for all concerned as preparations for Whatever Floats Your Boat, an event organised by InterContinental Dubai Festival City and Dubai Festival City Mall, start to take shape.

Teams need to build a raft from recyclable materials, which they will then race along a small section of the Creek. Schools enter for free and companies pay a registration fee.

If companies cannot make a boat they can sponsor a school instead for the same amount and take out sponsorship of the event.

Taking to the waters are 26 school teams, from American School of Dubai, Emirates International school, Dubai GEMS Private School, Al Diyafah High School, GEMS The Westminster School Dubai, Deira International School, Dubai International School Nad Al Sheba, Universal American School, Dubai International School Al Garhoud, and Repton School.

With 14 companies currently registered to take part, who have each paid a registration fee, the event stands to raise vital funds for charity, all of which will be donated to Emirates Wildlife Society in association with WWF (EWS-WWF) to support its Marine Turtle Conservation Project. Companies on board include Farnek Services, Econosto, Emirates NBD, HSBC, Gulftainer, Momentum, Abela & Co, Alpha Tours and IIRME.

More companies and schools are being urged to sign up now for an event that promotes resourceful recycling and environmental awareness.

Rene van Camp, Hotel Manager at InterContinental Dubai Festival City, said, "We're now in our fifth year and I think it's fantastic how so many well-known companies and schools come on board each year to support this great cause, and this year is no exception. There's still time for other teams to become registered and be involved. It's a great community event and a chance for companies and schools to exercise some real team-building efforts, so the more the merrier."

Denise Chamassian, Senior Marketing Manager at Dubai Festival City Mall, said, "Dubai Festival City Mall is proud to be associated with this unique event that symbolises environmental responsibility. Its popularity has grown substantially over the last five years, as evidenced by the many schools and companies that have joined in our effort to endorse the increasing need to recycle in Dubai. We are confident that all participants will enjoy this year's edition that will be filled with excitement while giving back to the community."

Nicolas Delaunay, Business Development and Marketing Director at EWS-WWF, said, "We are delighted to once again be part of Whatever Floats Your Boat and are extremely grateful for the continued support from InterContinental Dubai Festival City and Dubai Festival City Mall, who are putting together this fun and engaging event in aid of our Marine Turtle Conservation Project."

"We look forward to seeing many individuals, schools and organisations getting involved in this year's Whatever Floats your Boat by building their own recyclable boat or joining the crowds of spectators, while learning more about the importance of marine conservation," he added.