Adventurers anchor dhow, start on their desert safari

The first leg of the Outward Bound Oman/Tahaddi 41st National Day Youth Challenge journey kicked off last Saturday from Port of Salalah. Six youths aged between 16-24 years, sponsored by Port of Salalah, set sail for the 36 hour voyage in a traditional Oman dhow bound for the Hallaniyat Islands and Shuwaymiyah.

Led by Outward Bound Oman/ Tahaddi General Manager Mark Evans, the team left Port of Salalah in a Dhow, generously provided by long term supporters of Outward Bound Oman, Masirah International Technical and Marine Services.

The team sailed to the Hallaniyat Islands, staying overnight on the dhow before touching land the next day and meeting the camels at Shuwaymiyah, to commence the overland element of the journey.

An experienced camel handler, Amr Al Wahaibi from Bidiya, who has travelled with the Outward Bound team in the Rub Al Khali on previous expeditions, is once again active with his camels.

Setting up camp, cooking their own meals, and learning to navigate by the stars using a ancient navigational instrument called an Astrolabe, the team has been establishing building blocks for the future learning essential skills like leadership, discipline, and determination.

Mark Evans says, "The team members are slowly adjusting to desert life - early to rise, early to bed, and sitting out the heat of the day. The team have surpassed our expectations. On this, the first stage of our journey to Muscat, we hoped to reach Sharbithat in ten days; we will do it in seven."

The participants for the Port of Salalah leg include Yusif Al Jamil, Hitham Bait Zaie, Mohammed Al Baraami, Muataz Bait Nasib, Khalid Al Maashani and Fahim Bahjaj, all from Dhofar.
The second team sponsored by Ministry of Sport and supported by the journey's patron, Minister for Sport Affairs Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidi will take over today.

Additional 15km per day
This leg, led by Outward Bound Oman team leader Erin Hall will challenge the participants to travel up to an additional 15km per day to meet up with the next team in the Ras Sawqrah region on December 7. The participants for this leg of the journey include Naif Nasib Al Mamary, Aiman Salim Al Gahthami, Musalam Mobark Al Salti, Jabr Mohammad Al Sabibi, Esa Al Nobi Al Said, and Mohammid Ahmid Al Sibsli.

Shafeeq Al Shahumi, director of Sports Leadership Development Centre at the Ministry of Sports Affairs says, "The Ministry of Sports Affairs is committed to the growth and development of our country's youth. This journey will give our young people an opportunity to learn essential leadership skills, develop confidence and experience real team work while allowing them to reconnect with their Omani heritage. We are delighted to support Outward Bound Oman and believe that this journey will help ignite
the true potential of this extraordinary group."

Documenting the travels and daily challenges facing the participants during this incredible journey is UK based photographer Sim Davis. Utilising the latest satellite technology Davis and the Outward Bound Oman/Tahaddi team will upload a gallery of photographic images and audio logs to the Outward Bound Oman website and Facebook page daily throughout the 80 day journey. Wisal FM will be broadcasting the daily audio logs during their scheduled programming every day for the duration of the challenge. BBC World Service radio and news on-line are also covering the event.

Each 10-day leg of the eight leg journey has the support of a corporate partner, which include Port of Salalah, Ministry of Sports Affairs, Oman Methanol, Golden Torches Trading, Nawras/Shababiah, PDO, National Bank of Oman, and Oman Air. Each of the corporate partners has selected a group of exceptional young people that they believe will reap the benefits that this extraordinary training program will offer.

The Outward Bound Oman/Tahaddi initiative is a first for the Middle East region and is dedicated to using the outdoors to develop the life skills of young people in Oman. It was set up in May 2009 by the founding partners SNR Denton, Shell and the Suhail Bahwan Group.

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