A thrill-seeking South African fitness instructor is getting geared up for an international rowing event after securing sponsorship from Dubai Ladies Club.
Trace Rogers is looking forward to taking part in a major longboat regatta in Sarawak, Borneo, next month.
The 34-year-old, who teaches body balance and cycling at the ladies club, is hoping that other women living in the UAE will follow her example and make more effort to keep fit and enjoy sports.
A total of 20 female UAE residents have joined to form Beyond Expectations the only all-female team that will compete in the regatta, which takes place in early September.
Hend Al Ahbabi, health centre coordinator at Dubai Ladies Club (DLC), said the centre was sponsoring Rogers because she was "a good role model for ladies wishing to step out of their comfort zones and succeed at new challenges.
"We are hoping that by promoting Trace on the team, it will inspire DLC members and other women in UAE society to aspire and achieve success in challenges of their own," she said.
Rogers used to work as an executive housekeeper for a luxury hotel chain in Dubai, but quit her job to retrain as a fitness instructor.
She is currently working on a freelance basis at the ladies club and is hoping to become a professional mountain guide.
Along with her teammates, she is getting ready for the regatta by rowing three mornings a week and also practises her technique in a swimming pool.
"I am taking part in the regatta because I haven't really been involved in any team sports for ages and ages.
"It's something completely different from the sports I normally take part in, such as running and swimming.
"I want to broaden my experience a little," she said.
She said she was "absolutely thrilled" the club was sponsoring her entry in the longboat regatta.
Like Hend, Rogers hopes her adventures will encourage other women to take up sport. "Some of the women here could be in a lot better shape. I would like to help empower them to take on physical challenges," she said.
Among Rogers's adventure achievements are conquering Mount Kilimanjaro, which is the highest peak in Africa.
As well as sponsoring Rogers in the regatta, Dubai Ladies Club also has its own football team, which last season came away with three wins, three draws and one defeat.
In addition to the main season games, the ladies club held a four-team tournament with teams from Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
"This was a very successful year for DLC and we look forward to carrying on our success in the next season," said Rania Amer, football coach.
Gulf News
