International Pro-Am 2009
The 2009 International Pro-Am has been confirmed from 19-21 November. This marks the third staging of the Pro-Am that now forms the cornerstone of the Taba Heights Golf Resort’s Tournament Calendar. Already great excitement is being built up as the teams from the 2008 event have registered for this year’s event to battle it out for a total prize fund in excess of $50,000 US. Pro-Am teams consist of three Amateurs and one Golf Professional. Teams wishing to enter the 2009 event are urged to register early as places have already been booked. Teams will be limited to a maximum field of 32 and registration will be confirmed on a first come first served basis. For tournament registration contact golf@tabaheights.com or +2 069 358 0073.
Children’s Painting Competition
Taba Heights is delighted to announce a painting competition for children of all ages in conjunction with the Taba Heights School. In line with the resort’s goal to protect the local coral reef and its environment, the competition theme is the underwater world. Waterworld is sponsoring the first prize each week with all hotels sponsoring runner-up prizes. Winners will be announced during the festival. For information contact info@tabaheights.com.
Taba Heights Language School
The Orascom Taba Heights Language School has shown that learning can be fun. Though class sizes are small, the curriculum is comprehensive. Subjects include English and German taught by native speakers, math, computer studies, Arabic, art, music and physical education. Field trips include glass-bottom boat underwater discovery trips, visits to the recycling plant where the children are taught the importance of the environment, and a tour of the desalination plant where students learn how salt is removed from the sea water. Registration is now open for the new school year. Call the school at +2 010 400 5611 or +2 012 104 3183 or contact info@tabaheights.com.
Recycling Centre Fundraiser
The recycling centre has collected a vast number of books left behind by hotel visitors enjoying lazy days on the beach. A host of books and magazines in different languages are being sold each to raise funds to improve the recycling centre facilities including a new shelter and additional resources for staff. Support the recycling centre and its future development by buying some great reads! Books are being sold for 10 LE and magazines for 5 LE each available during the Uptown Festival every Friday from 20.00.
International Earth Day
“Let us save our planet” was the Sofitel slogan on 22 April 2009 while participating in the International Earth Day activities. Over 60 associates of the hotel joined in to clean up the beach and surrounding areas. This activity was followed by the planting of 30 trees throughout the resort. A total of 64 guests and children joined in to plant 58 trees on the grounds as well. Each guest installed a plaque marking the tree they had planted for a lasting memory of their contribution to the local environment.
Rare Toad Fish Discovered
Tamer Abdulazim discovered the rare Toad Fish in the Taba Heights Marina Bay during a Discover the Red Sea dive, an experience programme for non-certified divers. Toad Fish are well known for their ability to "sing". Males in particular using the swim bladder as a sound-production device used to attract mates. The resident Toad Fish is a welcomed addition to the rich Taba Heights natural environment
Taba’s Treasures
Photographer and writer Stuart Philpott is no stranger to Taba Heights. From 2004 through to 2007 he was the owner and manager of Sinai Pictures Photo Centre at Waterworld. During this time he clocked over 1,000 dives and took more than 50,000 digital images of the local underwater sights. He used this experience to create Taba’s Treasures, the first diving and snorkelling guide to be published on Taba Heights. Stuart made another visit to Taba Heights in May to begin work on the second edition. The new book will contain seven additional dive sites, up-to-date facts on all the local dive centres, hotels and restaurants and will feature a waterproof cover. There will be at least 40 extra pages of photographs and information and will be available for purchase around the end of September 2009. The book is available for purchase exclusively at the Sea Club shop at Waterworld or online in the UK at adventurediving@yahoo.co.uk.