Dubai Residents Swim 29km to Raise Awareness for Juvenile Arthritis and Autism

Health, Wellness & Spa

Dubai Residents Swim 29km to Raise Awareness for Juvenile Arthritis and Autism

Two Dubai residents have completed a remarkable 29-kilometre open-water swim from The World Islands to the Dubai shoreline, not in pursuit of records, but to raise awareness and funds for juvenile arthritis and autism.

A Mission Driven by Compassion

Maher El-Tabchy, a Lebanese entrepreneur, and Eric Robertsen, a French expat, undertook the challenge on March 15, powered by a shared commitment to supporting children battling these conditions. The swim took 10 hours to complete, with both swimmers enduring fatigue, sea currents, and the mental toll of the long-distance swim.

“It was overwhelming when we reached the shore because sometimes you don't know how much you can push your body through the pain,” said El-Tabchy. “Once you finish something like this, you realise how strong the mind can be.”

Personal Motivations

The duo's motivation was deeply personal. El-Tabchy was inspired by a family member living with juvenile arthritis, while Robertsen was driven by his connection to a relative diagnosed with autism.

“I had been planning this for a long time,” said El-Tabchy. “When I shared the idea with Eric, he was happy to join. Both of us had personal reasons, and we were determined to raise awareness.”

Training, Planning, and Support

The preparation for the swim spanned two years, including five months of intense training under the guidance of Natalya Pankina, a former elite Russian long-distance swimmer now based in Dubai.

Their cause was supported by the Al Jalila Foundation, a non-profit that promotes medical education and research in the UAE, and by the Dubai Police, who accompanied them during the swim for safety and support.

“There was a Dubai Police boat beside us the entire time. Every 30 minutes we had to hydrate with electrolytes, and they handed us bananas and black tea,” El-Tabchy said.

Raising Awareness for Juvenile Arthritis and Autism

El-Tabchy highlighted how juvenile arthritis, a chronic condition often misunderstood or misdiagnosed, can cause significant harm when not identified early.

“Many people don’t know that arthritis can affect kids. Often, it gets ignored or dismissed as something minor, like a limp. That delay in diagnosis can lead to long-term damage,” he said.

The swimmers’ efforts are aimed not only at raising funds but also at educating the public about the importance of early detection and support for these conditions.

A Tribute to Young Fighters

Despite a setback just weeks before the swim—El-Tabchy fell ill with a virus—their determination never wavered.

“This took two years of planning, brutal training, and endless logistics. Nothing was going to stop me,” he said. “We did it for the kids who fight battles daily. These young warriors inspired every stroke we took.”