The Al-Gaffal is an annual long-distance race between crews sailing 60-ft. traditional wooden boats called dhows and takes place in the Persian Gulf, between the island of Sir Bu Nair, near the Iranian coast and the Gulf emirate of Dubai.

Emiratis sail during the Al-Gaffal traditional long-distance dhow sailing race between the island of Sir Bu Nair, near the Iranian coast, and the Gulf emirate of Dubai on May 27, 2012. (Photo by Karim Sahib/AFP Photo)

Traditional wooden boats, or dhows, sail during practice in the evening near Sir Bu Nuayr Island ahead of the Al Gaffal race, a long-distance dhow sailing race, near Sharjah May 17, 2014. (Photo by Martin Dokoupil/Reuters)

Sailers paddle a dhow in the Gulf water during the final training a day before the Al-Gaffal 60ft traditional dhow sailing race between the island of Sir Bu Nair, near the Iranian coast, and the Gulf emirate of Dubai on May 27, 2011. (Photo by Karim Sahib/AFP Photo)

Traditional wooden boats, or dhows, compete at sunrise during the Al Gaffal race, a long-distance dhow sailing race, near Sir Bu Nuayr, near Sharjah May 18, 2014. (Photo by Martin Dokoupil/Reuters)

A crew member takes a picture of a traditional wooden boat or dhow near the Sir Bu Nuayr Island, ahead of the Al Gaffal race, a long-distance sailing race of dhows, near Sharjah May 16, 2014. (Photo by Martin Dokoupil/Reuters)

Emiratis sail during the Al-Gaffal 60ft traditional dhow sailing race between the island of Sir Bu Nair, near the Iranian coast, and the Gulf emirate of Dubai on May 28, 2011. (Photo by Karim Sahib/AFP Photo)

Traditional wooden boats, or dhows, compete at sunrise during the Al Gaffal race, a long-distance dhow sailing race, near Sir Bu Nuayr, near Sharjah May 18, 2014. (Photo by Martin Dokoupil/Reuters)

Crew members of a traditional wooden boat, or dhow, celebrate victory as they sail towards the finishing line in the Al Gaffal race, a long-distance dhow sailing race, near Sir Bu Nuayr near Sharjah May 18, 2014. (Photo by Martin Dokoupil/Reuters)

Navigator Ali Salem bin Kenaid al-Falasi (L) flashes a victory sign while his crewmate Rashed al-Humairi waves a flag to celebrate the team's victory in the Al Gaffal race, a long-distance traditional wooden boat or dhow sailing race, near Dubai May 18, 2014. (Photo by Martin Dokoupil/Reuters)

Emiratis sail during the Al-Gaffal 60ft traditional dhow sailing race between the island of Sir Bu Nair, near the Iranian coast, and the Gulf emirate of Dubai on May 28, 2011. (Photo by Karim Sahib/AFP Photo)