First Emirati surfer to represent his country at ISA World Games

Emirati Mohammed Rahma will be the first Emirati national to compete in an international surfing competition, essentially making history and highlighting the U.A.E. as a surfing destination to the world. Rahma will join 192 other surfers from 32 nations representing their countries in the International Surfing Association, ISA, 50th Anniversary World Games being held in Peru on October 24th. The 27-year-old learned how to surf in 2010 following a rugby injury which forced him into rehabilitation exercises in water, which in turn lead him to take up surfing. Rahma spent the next few years immersing himself in the sport, surfing at every opportunity he had at various beaches in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman and Fujairah as well as other international hotspot’s in Sri Lanka, Maldives, the U.S.A. and Australia. His passion for the sport has driven him to compete internationally after he spent the last year training with a professional coach in Los Angeles. "Surfing has changed my life. And as a young Emirati growing up in Dubai, I wish that I could have been introduced to this sport at a younger age. I get so much enjoyment out of it, which drives me to develop the sport in the U.A.E.," he said. "This is the first time that the U.A.E. is being represented in surfing on the international stage," said Carl de Villiers, owner of Surf Shop Arabia and a long-time supporter and sponsor of Rahma. "I’ve watched him progress in his surfing and the fact that he is now representing his country in such an elite competition is really something to be proud of," he added. The young surfer, who has funded most of this journey himself, said, "For me, my intention is not to win but to raise awareness in the U.A.E. of surfing, provide a platform for other young Emiratis to get involved, learn the sport and also represent their country in international competitions. I would love to see surfing being integrated into U.A.E. school curricula and develop this sport amongst Emiratis." – Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/sports/1395271236336.html