OutdoorUAE - December 2017 by OutdoorUAE

in Oman Tested Tough in Mount Elbrus Experience the Outdoors with

Columbia Adventure Academy Emirates Wildlife Society-WWF Discovers First Arabian Eagle â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Owl in UAE Through The Empty Quarter to the Highest Dune

Plenty of

PRODUCTS TO CHECK OUT

Price 10.00 AED 10.00 QAR 1.00 OMR

SABKHAS, SAND AND SANDALS

SEA SHEPHERD 40TH ANNIV. AND UAE LAUNCH

Vol. 7, No. 12 December 2017

Midnight 50km Ultra on the Tropic of Cancer

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MIDDLE EAST’S OUTDOOR, ADVENTURE, TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

DECEMBER 2017 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

OutdoorUAE Team

Winter is coming

Daniel Birkhofer Founder and Managing Director daniel@outdooruae.com

We are now entering the coldest months in the UAE and most people don’t realize just how cold it can get out in the desert. Whilst snow and ice are a relative novelty here, with the occasional much publicized flurry of snow or hail in the higher Mountain regions, temperatures can still drop to just a few degrees at night, especially deep in the desert where there are no rocks to hold the heat. When the sun goes down it’s worth having a good Columbia fleece or even a lightweight Down jacket in your backpack. This is the time of year when we light bigger fires at night and move closer to them so please be aware of campfire safety. Don’t let dogs or children too close to the flames and if you are roasting marshmallows (which we all love to do!) then make sure you use long sticks to hold them in the heat. A lot of people will at some point be heading towards the Western Region through the month of December to visit the Al Dhafra Camel Festival. This family fun event is a highlight of the Camel breeders calendar and people fly in with their Camels from all over the Arabian Peninsula. The biggest attraction is of course the legendary Camel Beauty Competition but there are also; Camel Racing, Falcon handling, Saluki racing and all sort of cultural events and foods to keep you and your family entertained. Be aware that hotel accommodation gets really booked up in advance so it’s best to take camping things and simply find a spot somewhere off the main roads to settle for the night. The hospitality of locals is legendary at this festival and there’s a high chance you can find yourself being invited to someone’s desert camp for the night to celebrate. The main place to hang out at Al Dhafra is on “Million Road”, especially in the evenings. This road is so named because it’s where the camel sales go down and often top performing camels will sell for not only millions of dirhams but also millions of dollars! There are plenty of trips and tips in this month’s edition of the magazine to inspire you and help you. If you are heading into the desert you can follow our 101 Introduction to desert driving and find out everything you need to know to make the most of your desert adventures. Enjoy the winter weather, have a great time camping and playing in this wonderful environment we call home, keep it all clean and tidy and above all, be warm and safe out there!

Dan Wright Staff Writer and Outdoor Guide

Ireneo ‘Jung’ Francisco Designer and Photographer jung@outdooruae.com

Katherine Cañedo Patangui Administration kathy@outdooruae.com

Ian Sebeldia Circulation

EXPERTS & CONTRIBUTORS

Marina Bruce The Desert Diva and Off-road Expert

Dan Wright Editor For editorial content and press releases Tel. 04 446 8473 Mobile: 055 5760322 editor@outdooruae.com

Distributor Al Nisr Distribution LLC P.O. Box 6519, Dubai, UAE 800 4585 | 04-4067170

Sales & Marketing (advertisement enquiries) Tel: 04 446 8473

Printed at GN Printing P.O. Box 6519, Dubai, UAE

Mobile: 055 9398915 sales@outdooruae.com

Published by Outdoor UAE FZE P.O. Box 215062 Dubai, U.A.E. Tel. 04 446 8473 contact@outdooruae.com www.outdooruae.com Cover photo by: Tima Deryan

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Kit Belen Our Fishing Pro

Bandana Jain Outdoor and Lifestyle Contributor

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Nico de Corato Dubai Blogger and Athlete

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The information contained is for general use only. We have made every attempt to ensure that the information contained in this magazine has been obtained from reliable sources. The publisher is not responsible for any errors. All information in this magazine is provided without a full guarantee of completeness, accuracy and chronology. In no event will the publisher and/or any of our affiliates be held responsible for decisions made or action taken in reliance on the information in this magazine. All contents are copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any form without prior written permission.

David O’Hara Ultra Runner and Extreme Endurance Junkie

Nicky Holland Personal Trainer

Pedro Gomes Professional Triathlete

Denise Ostermann Outdoor Travel Contributor

WHEN YOU’RE DONE READING, PLEASE RECYCLE!

OUTDOORUAE

MIDDLE EAST’S OUTDOOR, ADVENTURE, TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

DECEMBER 2017 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

CONTENTS

36 COLUMBIA: TESTED TOUGH IN MOUNT ELBRUS

22 14,000 TAKE PART TO SELL OUT THIS YEAR’S THE COLOR RUN

EVERY ISSUE 06 EVENTS CALENDAR 08 BEST SHOTS 47 PRODUCTS 63 DIRECTORY

EVENT & ACTIVITY REPORTS 09 DUBAI MOTORBIKE FESTIVAL 10 ONE BREATH DIVING AND SPEARFISHING EXHIBITION SET FOR JANUARY 2018 11 ALIA AND ZENEBU FIRST AT DUBAI WOMEN’S RUN 2017 12 EXPERIENCE THE OUTDOORS WITH COLUMBIA ADVENTURE ACADEMY

30 DISCOVERS FIRST ARABIAN EAGLE-OWL IN UAE

14 OV ER 15,000 UAE RESIDENTS PARTICIPATE IN LANDMARK GROUPS NINTH ANNUAL “BEAT DIABETES WALK” 15 SABKHAS, SAND AND SANDALS 16 SHEIKH MANSOOR LEADS STAR-STUDDED DXB 24HR WALKATHON 17 ELEVENTH EDITION OF WALK 2017 18 CAVE DISCOVERIES IN OMAN 22 14,000 TAKE PART TO SELL OUT THIS YEAR’S THE COLOR RUN 23 AND THE OFF-ROADING SEASON DID INDEED START WITH ULTIMATE JEEP CLUB! 24 NAKHEEL CONQUERS JEBEL JAIS FOR DFC 26 DFC CLOSES TO RESOUNDING SUCCESS 30 EMIRATES WILDLIFE SOCIETY-WWF DISCOVERS FIRST ARABIAN EAGLE – OWL IN UAE

MIDDLE EAST’S OUTDOOR, ADVENTURE, TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

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54 THROUGH THE EMPTY QUARTER TO THE WORLD’S HIGHEST DUNE - PART I

32 STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN

31 REMOTE CONTROL CAR HOBBYISTS 32 STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN 34 DUBAI TO BE FIRST OFFICIAL FOIL CENTER

TRAVEL & ADVENTURE

34 DUBAI TO BE FIRST OFFICIAL FOIL CENTER

OUR EXPERTS 52 OFF-ROAD 101 - #2 BEFORE LEAVING THE ROAD - DANIEL 54 THROUGH THE EMPTY QUARTER TO THE HIGHEST DUNE - MIKE 56 A YEAR IN OMAN - MARINA

36 TESTED TOUGH IN MOUNT ELBRUS 38 DEAR HIGH ALTITUDE, YOU TAKE MY BREATH AWAY 39 SEA SHERPHERD 40TH ANNIVERSARY AND UAE LAUNCH 40 THE ARAB PULSE: MT TOUBKAL – MOROCCO

TIPS & TRICKS

LIFESTYLE

PEOPLE

44 OFFROADER’S CORNER: LOUISE ADAMSON 46 HABITUALLY HEALTH: TWO-WHEEL CAMPING

60 TRIATHLON IS A WAY OF LIFE: STEF

58 CYCLING GUIDE TO ABU DHABI - PEDRO

OUTDOORUAE

MIDDLE EAST’S OUTDOOR, ADVENTURE, TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

EVENTS CALENDAR YOU’RE INVITED: 4×4 DESERT DRIVE EXPERIENCE WITH THE PROS

DECEMBER 2017 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

STAY UP-TO-DATE WITH THE LATEST EVENTS

YOU’RE INVITED: OFF-SHORE CATCH AND RELEASE CHALLENGE

Date 16 December 2017

Date 27 January 2018

Time 1 PM to 6 PM

Time 1 PM to 7 PM

10 lucky people will be selected.

COLUMBIAACADEMY.AE

/COLUMBIAME

@COLUMBIASPORTSWEAR_ME #ADVENTUREACADEMYDXB

DECEMBER

@COLUMBIASPORTSWEAR_ME #ADVENTUREACADEMYDXB

Al Wathba Monday Night Cycle Race 4

The Al Wathba Monday Night Cycle Race on December 11 consists of 3 races, Mixed Juniors, Ladies and Men’s APR. Juniors is 16km, Ladies and Men’s APR is 48Km . Juniors 6:30pm, Ladies 6:45pm & Mens at 7pm. Road Bikes only. When: 11th December Where: Al Wathba Contact: www.premieronline.com

DECEMBER

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan & Sheikh Zayed Bin Mohamed Bin Khalifa Endurance Cup

Aljada, Sharjah’s newest address, gears up to host first-ever Red Bull Torque in December

When: 13th -15th December Where: Boudheib International Endurance Village, Abu Dhabi Contact: www.abudhabievents.ae

When: 15th December Where: Sharjah Contact: www.aljada.com

The Emirates Heritage Club will organize the Sheikh Hamdan and Sheikh Zayed bin Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan 120km Qualifying Endurance Rides on Dec. 13, 14 and 15, 2017. The rides will held in Boudheib International Endurance Village in Al Khatem City.

Sharjah’s newest destination, Aljada, will play host to a thrill-filled new motorsport when the inaugural Red Bull Torque takes place on 15 December.

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DECEMBER

JLL Triathlon Series 2017/2018 - Race 1

Now in its 5th year, the JLL Triathlon Series is a season favourite amongst new and old Triathletes. Featuring Sprint and Super-Sprint Distances and the Legendary Post Race Breakfast from Jebel Ali Golf Resort Hotel. When: 16th December Where: Dubai Contact: www.premieronline.com

DECEMBER

Wadi Adventure Race 14

Wadi Adventure will be hosting the 14th edition of its hugely popular Wadi Adventure Race (or commonly known as W.A.R.) with a testing 5km, challenging 10Km and a grueling 15km military styled obstacle course, on Saturday December 16th.

DECEMBER

When: 16th December Where: Al Ain Contact: www.premieronline.com

DECEMBER

Gulf 12 Hours

Abu Dhabi welcomes the seventh edition of the Gulf 12 Hours, the most glamorous – Le Mans Style - endurance race in the region, hosted at Yas Marina Circuit. When: 15th -16th December Where: Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi Contact: www.abudhabievents.ae

Santa Chase at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club

The Saadiyat Beach Golf Club welcomes runners for a casual fun 5k Santa Chase around the front nine holes of the golf course taking in the sunset on Saadiyat Beach in a natural environment, spotting gazelles and dolphins along your way. When: 16th December Where: Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, Abu Dhabi Contact: www.premieronline.com

DECEMBER

Dubai Desert Road Run 10k & 3k Dec. 2017 First held in February 2012, the Dubai Desert Road Run is held several times a year, appealing to all elements of the running community - from first time social runners, to some of the best UAE based athletes. When: 16th December Where: Dubai Contact: www.premieronline.com

JANUARY

Middle East Extreme Sports Expo

The Extreme Sports Expo is on its third edition and gathers together extreme, action, outdoor and adventure companies and communities for a two-day event in Dubai. Organised alongside four co-located events, the Dubai International Bicycle Exhibition, Dubai Motorbike Festival, One Breath Dive Expo and Photography Expo Dubai, the two day event promises to be packed full of exciting exhibitors, shows and competitions to keep our visitors busy and is a event not to be missed. When: 12th–13th January 2018 Where: Dubai World Trade Centre Contact: www.dwtc.com

MIDDLE EAST’S OUTDOOR, ADVENTURE, TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

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BEST SHOTS Here are the best shots sent in by you for our monthly photography competition! Thank you for all your entries, they were all great and it was hard selecting the best photos this month. Congratulations to the top three winners, who will each receive five free copies of the magazine and the Advance Off-road Guidebook: Alvira Khan, Reste Ismael and Sameena Arif. Well done!

To submit your entries, simply email us at competitions@outdooruae.com with the subject “Best Shots.”

Alvira Khan

Sunkissed Safari

Reste Ismael

Raising the UAE flag high and proud!

OUTDOORUAE

Sameena Arif

Bull’s Eye! While traveling to Iceland and regardless of the way that I’ve been on many flights, I’ve never watched the plane flying at an edge where the shadow of the plane on the clouds/fog was included by a rainbow circle!

EVENT REPORT

Dubai Motorbike Festival

Announced to Take Place in Dubai 2018

Get set for the Dubai Motorbike Festival taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre on January 12th – 13th, 2018. Carefully aligned with the release of the industries 2018 product lines, the festival will showcase the latest models and technologies that the industry has to offer whilst bringing together the leading motorcycling brands, local and regional clubs and motorbike enthusiasts to celebrate everything on two wheels. “The region’s motorcyclists have a lot to look forward to at the Dubai Motorbike Festival, the festival has been carefully planned around the launch of the motorcycle brands product lines and will be a perfect opportunity for visitors to check out what’s new for 2018.“ Said Eben Botha, Event Director at Dubai Motorbike Festival. “We have launched as a consumer exhibition and visitors can expect lots of exciting stuff to enjoy throughout the festival that will shortly be announced. This is set to be a motorcycle event not to be missed!“ Co-located with the 3rd edition of the Extreme Sports Expo, the festival will feature the big names in the industry attracting all the adrenaline seekers and bikers from the UAE and neighbouring countries. Admission is 30 AED per day, 40 AED for a weekend pass and children under 12 are free. Show hours are 10am to 10pm on Friday and 10am to 9pm on Saturday. For more information and to get your tickets please visit www.dxbmotorbikefestival.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for all the latest exciting expo announcements. ■

OUTDOORUAE

EVENT REPORT

One Breath Diving and Spearfishing Exhibition set for January 2018 The third edition of the expo will be takes place on January 12th-13th 2018 at the Dubai World Trade Centre The One Breath Dive Expo is set to take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre on January 12th – 13th 2018 and will feature the top names in diving and spearfishing from around the world. The most important dive event in the Middle East attracts visitors from the UAE and neighbouring countries, providing a platform for the Middle East’s scuba diving, freediving and spearfishing enthusiasts as well as dive professionals and business owners to gather alongside the latest brands and products on the market. Prior to the discovery of oil, the tribes of the UAE and neighbouring countries were known around the world as accomplished pearl divers and today diving remains one of the most popular water sports in the UAE. 10

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Recreational divers, professionals and dive business owners will be travelling from neighbouring countries Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and internationally to make their purchases at the expo for the upcoming year. “Our ultimate goal is to have one of the largest dive exhibitions in the world that gathers the major dive players from the Far East, Africa, Europe and the Middle East here in Dubai” said Zarir Saifuddin founder of the exhibition. “This in turn will undoubtedly increase the popularity of dive sports such as scuba, freediving and spearfishing in the UAE and the greater region. We’re now entering our third edition and this is our biggest expo yet in terms of both exhibition space, the number of exhibitors and an international dive competition we are soon to announce”. The event features the latest products

from brands including Salvimar, Carbonio G.F.T., Sea Sniper, Rabitech, Pelagicamong others. Previous editions of the expo have firmly placed the UAE on the map in the diving world and the expo continues to go from strength to strength. Taking a fresh approach towards creating the best dive show in the world, the expo is collaborating with over 40 regional and international professional diving and spearfishing ambassadors with a combined audience of over 1,000,000 followers. You can find out more about the ambassadors here. One Breath Expo is a part of the 2018 Extreme Sports Expo taking place at the Dubai World Trade Center 12th to 13th January 2018. Admission is 30 AED per day, 40 AED for a weekend pass and children under 12 are free. Show hours are 10am to 10pm on Friday and 10am to 9pm on Saturday. For more information and to get your tickets please visit www.spearo.me and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for all the latest exciting expo announcements. ■

EVENT REPORT

Alia and Zenebu First

at Dubai Women’s Run 2017

UAE’s Alia Saeed Mohammed aced the 10km race and Ethiopia’s Zenebu Checkole came first in the 05km race at the 7th Annual Dubai Women’s Run (DWR) held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of National Olympics Committee. The Run took place at Marasi Business Bay, Dubai. The 10km winner, Alia Saeed finished ahead of Megertu Ifa and Birhane Aregawe, both from Ethiopia, in 35 minutes 05 seconds, and the 05km race was clocked at 16:29 by Zenebu ahead of Olivera Jevtic from Serbia and Alem Gerezhare from Ethiopia. The UAE Athletics Federation, the Dubai Sports Council and the race organizers, Plan b Group, expressed their delight about the event turnout and support received from Alpro and Zomato as Sponsors and the Run’s host Dubai Properties. This edition of DWR had Sonu Sood, Lamia Tariq Malallah AlFarsi, Dareen Barbar and Sana Khan as its brand ambassadors, and Dubai Foundation for Women Children (DFWAC) was on board as the ‘Soul of the Run’. Ahmad Al Kamali, IAAF Council member,

Race Results: 5km

Zenebu Checkole Ethiopia

16mins 29secs

Olivera Jevtic

Serbia

16mins 32secs

Alem Gerezhare

Ethiopia

16mins 37secs

President of the UAE Athletic Federation, Founder and President DWR said, “I am delighted to see the wonderful track performance showcased by the athletes today. This edition of DWR has been able to tap into a wider segment of residents in the UAE this year, and I am confident that we will see a bigger and better event next year”. Harmeek Singh, Founder and Chairman Plan b Group, and Race Chairman DWR said, “Heartiest congratulations to the winners of today’s race as well as all the participants. Besides having top runners take on the track today we have witnessed some true spirit of women from various walks of

life. Differently abled participants, first time runners, women in sarees, mothers to be and mums with babies all stole the show this morning. It has been an honour and delight to organize this edition of DWR, and Plan b looks forward to returning with a grander and more inclusive Run in 2018”. ■

Race Results: 10km

Alia Saeed Mohammed

UAE

35mins 05secs

MegertuIfa

Ethiopia

35mins 06secs

Birhane Aregawe Ethiopia

37mins 26secs

OUTDOORUAE

Experience the Outdoors with COLUMBIA ADVENTURE ACADEMY Words by: Daniel Birkhofer

What is the Columbia Adventure Academy? Forget about the picture of people sitting on school benches and listening to a boring presentation. The Adventure Academy sounds like higher education but the education we are talking about here is how to enjoy the outdoors. There are no handbooks required, you will not sit in a classroom and you will not go home with a degree but with something even better, a great time and memories no one can take from you! Columbia Sportswear Middle East launched this initiative with the support of OutdoorUAE to remove entry barriers and take a small group to exciting places within the UAE. This should not only teach participants of the benefits and use of Columbia Sportswear, it is more about how easy it is to get out there and have fun! To ensure a great experience the groups are small and are considered the adventure academy ambassadors who will share their experience with family and friends and hopefully repeat the activity they have done with us with others. So itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not about giving a small group of selected people a good time, it is about planting the seed and lighting a fire in those 10 people so that they will pass it on and the passion and love for the outdoors will grow. The best thing about the adventure academy is that you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to spend a penny and it is completely free, all it needs to be part of it, is to sign up - www.columbiaacademy.ae - and hope you are one or the 10 lucky people who will join us for the next event.

Columbia Adventure Academy The second Columbia Adventure Academy kicked off in Ski Dubai early November 2017 and 10 lucky girls and guys were selected to take on the challenges in the very non-Dubai like temperature of minus four degrees! If you want to know who is joining the

Adventure Academy, Josefina Fontana is one example of a typical UAE resident. Born and raised in Argentina and move a few years back to Dubai to work as cabin crew for an airline. Josefina and the other participants had to show up early on a Saturday morning to do something, you usually cannot do at Ski Dubai. Before opening to the public, we had the chance to get a real taste of mountaineering in icy conditions when we were hiking up the steep slopes. The first challenge to complete was to run up the slope with a backpack weighing 20kg. Not everyone manages to stay all the time on their feet but all participants had a good morning workout and warm up. With only a short time left before the first skiers will race down the slope, we had to make a quick move but you had to choose your steps wisely and carefully to not end up sliding down on the snow. There was not much time to spare and we changed the hiking shoes for some ski boots and skis. This event was aimed at people who had never been on skis before to give them a taste of snow and winter sports in their first ski lesson. After a short briefing, it was all about getting a feel for those long slim boards connected to your feet. Skiing is not something you pick up in a few minutes and it takes a few hours of practice before you are ready to hit the slopes, which is also what our participants found out quite quickly! Remaining upright was a big enough task so that we changed our initial plan for the second challenge of a slalom to one single turn through a gate. Everyone had three attempts but only half of the group even made it through the gate. While the first challenge was more about strength and speed which was won by

the males, women actually were better with their balance and not only made it through the gate, they also had the fastest time. But the event is not about competition it is about the experience and since we were already at Ski Dubai, why not meet some unique Dubai residents, the Penguins! While we were freezing and learning more about Penguins and the conservation program supported by Ski Dubai our little friends in the black and white suites enjoyed the temperatures and some raw fish as a snack. To finish off the day with some fun and excitement, we went with the chairlift to the first station to choose the fastest available way down - by zip line. This action-loaded morning was over in no time, but the participants could enjoy the rest of the day in the snow park. Even though skiing is not easy to learn, all participants confirmed that they are now planning to take on some lessons after they had their first taste of snow and winter sports. Josefina, who knew already how to ski used the time during the lesson to enjoy the slopes and spend also the rest of the day practicing for the next trip to longer slopes on mountains and her next adventure. If you need winter gear for your Christmas holidays or your next skiing or mountaineering trip, then just visit the Columbia stores this month and check out their sales promotion during December.

MIDDLE EAST’S OUTDOOR, ADVENTURE, TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

Third Columbia Adventure Academy After getting a taste of Snow and winter sports it was time to get true to the region and do something more typical and local. The UAE is known for its endless stretches of sand dunes, rocky moon like flats and arid and rough mountain landscapes. But if you go to the seaside and the creeks in the UAE you find lush green mangrove forests which is a great contrast to the inner parts of the country. There are a lot of birds nesting and feeding in these areas but the mangroves really come to life if you look underneath the water surface. If you ask Dubai residents most have been to the desert but few have been to the mangroves or don’t even know what amazing submarine landscapes and marine life you can find there. The mangroves are greatly influenced by tides and seem to be in a constant change what makes it even more interesting and exciting and the perfect place to show the next lucky group joining the third Adventure Academy. You have to take care when travelling through the water channels not to get out and enter the mangroves forest. It’s very easy to damage their fragile roots and make sure you are

quite to not disturb nesting birds. We met on a Saturday afternoon in Dubai Festival City from where our shuttle bus took us to Umm Al Quaim and from where we would head out into the mangroves. Just have a look at Google maps satellite imagery and you will see the huge area of mangroves you will find there. Access is best by kayak, SUP or in our case as a group by boat. To get to know each other better and enjoy the pleasant winter temperatures we started the afternoon with tug-of-war games and spear training. It was all about having fun since no one would really need to be required to throw a spear. It was also a great natural highlight to see hundreds of birds flying over the area on their migration. At sunset, it was time to get ready for our crab hunt and jump onto our boat to take us into the mangroves. It did not take long to cross the creek from the city into the maze of waterways in the mangroves. It was already pitch black when we stopped and most of the participants where doubting that we are at the right place. The mangroves were hundreds of meters away and we seemed to be still in the middle of the creek when Mohamed one of the participants had the courage to jump out of the boat and prove to everyone that the water was only knee deep. Even though you might not see a single or many crabs during the day, as soon as it gets dark they come out in big numbers if you are in the right spot. To be able to spot them on the muddy sand floor you obviously need light. If you go in a group, it looks like

DECEMBER 2017 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

a science fiction movie - a group of people with some torches wading through the water looking for something elusive! It took us about 15 minutes until we found the first crabs. But even if you see them you haven’t caught them which is what all in the group experienced with their first attempts! The captain gave a helping hand to make the first catches. Crabs move fast and the vision is distorted by the water surface, so some practice is required to be successful. We also saw some cuttlefish and almost got hit by jumping needlefish which added even more to the fun and the hunting fever. After one hour our participant Roddnie was the winner of our hunting challenge with 16 caught crabs. We did not catch the crabs only to satisfy our hunting instincts after we returned it was our reward to have them steamed and eaten with a spicy masala which was a great treat for everyone! This event was a great success and we achieved what the adventure Academy is all about. All participants loved the day and even if most lived for many years in the UAE this was their first experience of Crab Hunting. You can book this activity as a commercial tour or get your torchlight and take some friends on your own little adventure in the mangroves. Just make sure you check the tides to not be surprised by incoming water! If you don’t want crabs to nibble on your toes and wade barefoot in the mud, you can get water sports shoes in Columbia stores as well as appropriate clothing. Quick dry shorts will be perfect and don’t miss out on the sales promotions through Columbia stores across the UAE in the month of December. ■ If you also want to experience something new and enjoy outdoor activities, visit www.columbiaacademy.ae and sign up for the upcoming events. Facebook: /COLUMBIAME Instagram: @COLUMBIASPORTSWEAR_ME

OUTDOORUAE

EVENT REPORT

Over 15,000 UAE Residents Participate in Landmark Groups Ninth Annual

’Beat Diabetes Walk’

• Health activation arranged by Dubai Health Authority and Emirates Diabetes Society raise awareness on ways to manage diabetes • Landmark Group contributes funds raised from walk and through its 590 outlets towards Al Jalila Foundation for diabetes research, awareness and education

The ninth annual edition of the ‘Beat Diabetes Walk’, Landmark Group’s flagship initiative to promote diabetes awareness among UAE residents, saw over 15,000 participants from all walks of life come together to get active and commit to a healthy lifestyle. With the prevalence of diabetes in over 14.7 per cent of expatriates and over 19 per cent in Emiratis in Dubai alone according to the Dubai Diabetes Survey, the ‘Beat Diabetes Walk’ has become a significant highlight in the health and wellness calendar of the country. The 3 kilometre walk was held at Dubai Creek Park with the support of Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Emirates Diabetes Society (EDS), Dubai Sports Council, Hamdan bin Mohammed Community Sports Initiative, Al Jalila Foundation, Dubai Municipality, Children’s City, Roads & Transport Authority and Dubai Police. Renuka Jagtiani, Chairwoman and CEO of the Landmark Group, said: “Over the last 9 years Beat Diabetes has received overwhelming support from our community. Starting from our partners to our youngest 14

OUTDOORUAE

From left: Dr Abdulkareem Al Olama, Saeed Hareb, Dr Madani, Nisha Jagtiani, Renuka Jagtiani and Dr Fatheya Al Awadi

walker, the enthusiasm and commitment to better health is very rewarding to see. As an organisation we are committed to encouraging this healthy lifestyle change in the community and the ‘Beat Diabetes Walk’ is an effort toward achieving that goal.” According to the International Diabetes Federations statistics revealed that around 415 million people in the world suffer from diabetes. Speaking on the prevalence of diabetes Dr. Abdulrazzaq Ali Al Madani, President of the Emirates Diabetes Society and the Chairman of the Gulf Group for Study of Diabetes, said: “While Type II diabetes, which is widespread, has a genetic predisposition, we cannot control this factor. What we can control are factors such as obesity, sedentary lifestyles, smoking, amongst others, to delay its onset and inculcate a culture of good health. “I am thrilled to see the overwhelming response to this year’s Beat Diabetes Walk and applaud the Landmark Group in making this event a success.” Meanwhile, the total rate of those at the Pre-Diabetes Stage (high risk of developing diabetes) among expatriates is 18.6 per cent

and for UAE nationals at 16 per cent making prevention efforts for this demographic even more critical. Dr Fatheya Al Awadi, Chair of DHA Diabetes Committee and Head of Endocrinology Department at Dubai Hospital, said: “Effectively managing blood sugar control, management of HbA1c levels, achieving weight loss and strengthening resolve to manage the disorder is essential for those at the Pre-Diabetes stage. The ‘Beat Diabetes Walk’ certainly highlights these factors and our country needs such initiatives to tackle diabetes eventually leading to a much healthier population.” Participants also benefitted from the free glucose testing services provided at the venue by DHA, the event’s health partners, who also presented practical tips on how to prevent and manage diabetes. After the walk, the ‘Beat Diabetes’ participants enjoyed a host of community-focused fitness and sports activities such as Zumba, yoga, bubble football and archery. A Fun Zone featured Jumble, Landmarks newest game room concept, as well as a bouncy castle, gladiator ring and rodeo bull. ■

ACTIVITY REPORT

Enjoying the Sand after 46km

Midnight 50km Ultra on the Tropic of Cancer

Start at 0100 with Max, Servee (30km finisher) and friends

Words + Photos by: David O’Hara

Running Max Calderan’s Tropic of Cancer 50km Ultramarathon in the Liwa Desert is an epic night event, and not just because of running sand dunes and sabkhas (more on sabkhas later) in darkness. Running in the moonlight of the Empty Quarter is like running on the dark side of the moon – much different than running on rocks in Kalba or at high elevation in Nepal. When you run the desert at night, there are so few landmarks to guide you – you just try to run straight to the lights of the 4x4s marking the turns. Simplicity of Running

The 50km route is simple: run along the sand dunes about 10km until you get to a fence (minor panic thought: how do you see the fence in the darkness?). Turn left at the fence and run up and over more sand dunes about 5km until you get to the salt flats. Turn left and run along the salt flats around 10km. Albert (from @WeekendsWithAlbert fame) is waiting there in his 4x4 with his bright light rack on, and then turn around and run back the same way. There is beauty in the simplicity of having only three turning points in 50km. 25km checkpoint

What is a Sabkha?

Sunset with Camels

Sandals on the Dark Side of the Moon At 01:00, a select group of twenty athletes and adventurers start on the Tropic of Cancer, with only the light of a half moon to guide the way along the sand. Yes, I was carrying a headlamp, but as a minimalist runner (I ran in my fav sandals) I thought it would be so much more fun to run without light. It seems contradictory to run in sandals, but then use a headlamp. I know it may be philosophical, but imagine running with a sense of pure freedom. You do not see where you are going at all, you do not have the luxury of selecting the most efficient route, you do not know what you are going to step on, you cannot even tell if you are running up or down a dune until your foot lands – you only run toward Albert’s 4x4 lights on the horizon. Everything is a different shade of gray – even the sand is gray, with dark gray likely being holes or brush. Light gray is usually hard salt. You cannot distinguish between the soft sand and hard sand, so you have to keep your leg muscles tense for completely different impacts. There is no sense of depth perception when you run in darkness, so when you naturally speed up, you are going downhill, and when you naturally slow down – uphill. Albert’s 4x4 lighting up the Sabkha

Running 20km along the sabkhas (salt flats) is exciting, because you don’t know whether the ground will be crispy salt flats or soft sand – so you just run in what seems to be an empty void. The only noises are the wind, the sound of my sandals landing, and the sloshing of water in my pack. I was thinking that is the most relaxing feeling in the world as I gazed around the gray horizon unable to see anything … except for a large black shadow about ten meters behind me! At first, the shadow appeared to be a tree in a treeless area, until it started moving. Apparently, I found the only camel in the Liwa Desert that was an insomniac and who decided to go for a walk at 03:30 instead of sleeping like normal camels. After the camel stopped stalking me, I found my rhythm again and continued my journey through the darkness.

It happens every morning…

Sunrise is around 06:30 and everything changes in daylight. You see where you are headed, what is the most efficient way to get there, but running becomes so much more complex. After enjoying the freedom of running in darkness where nothing is visible so you don’t need to make any decisions, in daylight there is a sensory overload of information: Are those lizard or rodent tracks? Be careful of the sharp bushes! Why am I running along the side of sand dunes (running along a steep angle is very strenuous on the feet) and not on the bottom where it is flat? When I see the Finish from 3km away, I pick up the pace, becoming the first and only 50km finisher with a time just under six and a half hours. Big thanks to Max, Monviso, Hopasports, and Abu Dhabi Sports Council for supporting such a great event! ■ Climbing dunes before sunrise

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EVENT REPORT

Sheikh Mansoor

leads Star-Studded DXB 24HR Walkathon His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai International Marine Club, led a star-studded line-up for the start of the Dubai Sports Council’s DXB 24HR Walkathon on Thursday morning, as hundreds of enthusiastic hoi polloi mingled with top Dubai Government officials and Emirati celebrities at the second edition of this unique community-focused event. Sheikh Mansoor was joined at the 7:30am start by His Excellency Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council (DSC); Major-General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police; Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the Department of Naturalisation and Residency Dubai (DNRD); and Major General Obaid Muhair Bin Suroor, Deputy Director General of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai and Chairman of the Standing Committee for Labour Affairs. Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), was also there at the starting line-up along with a number of other chiefs of Dubai Government entities, namely HE Abdulrahman Al Saleh (Director General of the Department Of Finance and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dubai Financial Support Fund), HE Khalifa Bin Dray (Executive Director of Dubai Ambulance Services Corporation), HE Helal Saeed Khalfan Al Marri (Director General Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing), HE Ahmed Mahboob Musabih (Director of Dubai Customs), Dherar Belhoul (General Director of Watani Al Emarat Foundation), HE Sami Al Qamzi (Director General of the Department

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of Finance), Ahmed Julfar (Director General of the Dubai Community Development Authority), and Major General Rashid Thani Al Matroushi (Director General of Dubai Civil Defence). Major General Mohammed Saeed Al Marri, Director of Community Happiness at Dubai Police, Marwan bin Ghalita, President of the UAE Football Association, and Emirati CEO and celebrities like Mr Khalaf Al Habtoor, Sultan Bin Mejren, Fayez Al Saeed and Faisal Al Jassim also took part in the Walkathon. “We thank all the participants from the different government and private entities, and, of course, the individual participants, because together, they make this Dubai 24 Hour Walkathon a truly unique event on your sporting calendar,” said Nasser Al Rahma, the Assistant Secretary General of DSC. “The Walkathon is a celebration of our diversity, because today we have seen participants from many different countries, including visiting holidaymakers, from different age groups and different strata of society.

“We are really pleased to see this, because that is our focus – to bring the different sections of the community for a day of healthy fun. “With the guidance and support of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai Government and Dubai Sports Council, Dubai has become a truly vibrant place, challenging and encouraging everyone to take up regular physical activity. “Dubai today is a model for other cities on how to encourage its diverse population to adopt sports, or any other physical activity, as part of their daily routine, especially after this overwhelming success of the Dubai Fitness Challenge 30x30, and this Walkathon aims to keep that positive image going.” Around 2,000 people took part in the second DXB 24HR Walkathon, which finished on Friday at 7:30am on Friday after four loops of a dedicated 25km route past some of Dubai’s most iconic landmarks, including the Dubai Canal. Starting from behind Sunset Mall, the participants walked down the Beach Road to Burj Al Arab before making a U-turn. The route then took them down to the edge of Dubai Canal, into Al Safa Park and then to Marasi Business Bay, from where they turned back for the Sunset Mall. ■

EVENT REPORT

Eleventh Edition of WALK 2017

Attracts Thousands of Participants • Annual walkathon held under patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak • Event hosted by Imperial College London Diabetes Centre, supported by Department of Health – Abu Dhabi

The 11th edition of the UAE’s largest walkathon, WALK 2017, saw thousands of UAE citizens and residents walk along Abu Dhabi’s iconic Yas Marina Circuit today to raise awareness of diabetes. A delegation from Abu Dhabi Police led the way ahead of senior officials and mem-

bers of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council from the UAE, including H.E. Sheikh Abdulla Bin Mohamed Al Hamed, Chairman of the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi, H.E. Mohamed Khalfan Al Rumaithi, Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police, H.E. Dr Mugheer Al Khaili, Chairman of the Department of Community Development, H.E. Dr Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the newly established Department of Education and Knowledge, H.E. Khaleefa Salem Al Mansouri, Undersecretary of the Department of Economic Development –Abu Dhabi, H.E Aref Al Awani, General secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Mohammad Al Hameli, Acting Director General of Department of Health in Abu Dhabi, and Dr Omniyat Al Hajri, Director of the Public Health Division

at the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi. Organised by Imperial College London Diabetes Centre (ICLDC) with the support of Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and sister companies Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and Health point, the annual walkathon was part of ICLDC’s award-winning campaign Diabetes. Knowledge.Action Representing Mubadala Healthcare was Mr Abdulla Al Shamsi, alongside the Centre’s executive team represented by Lawrence Patrick, CEO of ICLDC, Mazen Al Dahmani, Deputy CEO, Dr Saf Naqvi, Executive and Medical Director, Dr Hawaa Al Mansouri, Deputy Medical Director, and Dr Farhana bin Lootah, Internal Medicine Specialist. ■

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ACTIVITY REPORT

Cave Discoveries in Oman Words + Photos by: Simon Cahill

Discovering & Exploring Caves

In the last months, enthusiastic cave explorers have investigated and surveyed three caves near the village of Hail Al Hareem, one of which is a significant discovery for Oman. This article documents the preliminary surveying results and history of exploring these caves. Caves provide important windows to the geological, hydrological, archaeological&

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climatic history of the earth. They have been for long considered as the archives of the past. The carbonate units of the Al Hajar Mountains and the Dhofar Mountains offer large numbers of caves to explore and study. Many of these have been discovered and surveyed, but many are still to be found. For adventurers, the exploration of caves is a challenge and life-time experience that requires dedication and consuming efforts. Whether you are a professional geologist, a pioneering explorer or a weekend adventurer, Oman offers a world-class set of spectacular caves, many of which are unexplored. Since the 1980â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s large caves such as the Majlis al Jinn (Khoshilat Maqandeli), the Selmeh System, Al Hoota Cave (Kahf Al Hoti) and the sinkholes of Dhofar have been discovered and documented. Today we can add another significant cave and two smaller ones to the list of wonders in Oman. Who should claim to have discovered a cave is an interesting topic. Caves have

been around for millions of years, humans have been present for more than 100 000 years, so in the year 2017AD is it right to be the one claiming to have discovered a cave? Pinpointing when a cave was first explored can be a simpler task. if a cave has been entered there are normally signs such as stone steps, wooden pegs, artefacts, remains and in modern times metal climbing aids such as pitons or bolts. All three caves recently explored, were certainly known to and have been named by local inhabitants. Villagers from Hail Al Hareem say the biggest cave, Al Khishil Cave was visited by Westerners in a helicopter many years ago. This report ties in with the 1980â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s explorations by Don Davison & Cheryl Jones in conjunction with the Public Authority for Water Resources. Cheryl has confirmed they would have likely been the Western visitors but they did not enter the cave. In 2011, Tim Harrison, a hiker and photographer took a photograph of the entrance of Al Khishil Cave.

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Al Khishil Cave

By chance, Simon Cahill, a British caver, came across a photograph Timhad posted on Panoramio of a different cave. Simon contacted Tim and Tim replied saying the cave was not deep but referring to the photo taken in 2011 of Al Khishil Cave Tim said he had another image that may be more interesting. Tim had not entered the Al Khishil Cave as it required climbing equipment and technical expertise but thought it was deep. Tim sent Simon the location and in December 2015 after caving on the Selmeh Plateau Simon and Blair Hoover a caver from the USA, stopped off to have a look. Simon and Blair rigged ropes from natural anchors and descended to a depth of 40m. The cave obviously went down a long way but without proper bolting equipment Simon and Blair returned to the surface to plan further exploration. In January 2016 Canadian caver Christopher Pike joined Simon and Blair to explore the cave further. The initial pit with a drop of around 130m was bolted with several rebelays and deviations. Pike, a strong climber and caver took the lead on bolting. The walls of the pit had been polished by water to a fine smooth finish. It became clear nobody had been down there before; it was not possible to descend to the bottom without placing mechanical anchors. Beyond the main pit, the cave plunged again and quickly became varied and technically challenging with difficult climbs, traverses and a maze of tunnels to navigate. The cave opens into a decorated chamber Blair named The Art Gallery. The tunnel leading out from The Art Gallery twists and turns finally arriving at a wide low passage. Next comes a crawl/squeeze through water with an air gap no more than 30cm high. Pike hummed the theme tune to the film Mission Impossible; the crawl section was aptly named “Mission Impossible”. The cave narrows but the roof rises allowing a crawl on your knees rather than the previous squeeze on your stomach. Another tunnel with difficult climbs continues but the team had already explored several hundred meters of cave, with Blair taking survey notes along the way. At 6:35pm it was time to turn back. The cave was proving to be interesting, challenging and potentially dangerous. The nature of the cave constantly changes from tight low passages to open chambers. Mission Impossible is an early and dangerous sump; just a small amount of flood water can close off the way through or rather the way

back! Later explorations have been stopped at this point as the cave has been flooded to the roof.

Survey and Mapping

There have been several expeditions to the cave since 2015 to push exploration further and make surveys. The cave continues to be challenging. There is a lot of technical climbing with and without ropes. The cave is humid for the most part but can be cold after swimming through the numerous lakes and pools. Pike summed the cave up by saying; “the cave is the most technical in Oman by far and took a lot of rigging and sorting out direction as it splits multiple times. This cave is quite full on and the effort to keep the drill dry is unexpectedly hard. At the 60-minute mark there is another point that could easily sump, but a mild duck dive to swim under formations can be done to get through. Later is a tight squeeze descent, then finally the passage continues through one of the most decorated sections of the cave. Toufic Abou Nader, a caver from Lebanon who in 2016 descended Krubera Cave, the deepest cave in the World; pushed the cave further and reached what appears to be the end. It is difficult to know the exact depth and length of the cave until the survey is finished. What we do know is the cave is long and deep and a very significant find for Oman. Surveying and mapping the cave has proved to be a challenge. Blair took the lead

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on mapping, a brave commitment as this was the biggest mapping project she had ever taken on. The initial survey was done with a Disto measuring device specially adapted for use in caves. However, the cave proved too much of a challenge for the Disto; the custom built circuit board burnt out and was destroyed. Blair persevered for months using more traditional survey methods. Using basic equipment Blair surveyed about 500m of passages. Unfortunately, the data did not make a lot of sense when analysed; the compass readings seemed off and made no sense. Possibly the metal on Blair’s harness affected the reading or possibly the amount of iron in the rock had an effect. If these technical challenges were not enough, Blair also had family commitments in addition to being busy planning her wedding. Hergen Meyer a caver from Germany stepped in to help. Hergen crunched the data from Blair’s surveys and came up with a center line plot covering 60 survey points for 300 horizontal meters and a depth of 160m. Paul Emmaus a caver and professional photographer from the Netherlands had been building and developing a 3d scanner that could be used to map caves. Paul’s development had been on hold due to other commitments and another company (Scanse Sweep) bought a similar scanner to market this year. Paul bought one of their units in October and was keen to test it. Simon Cahill, Paul Emmaus, Hergen Meyer and Mikolaj Zielinski a caver from Poland, planned an expedition to photograph the caves and to continue the survey. With a new Disto, the Scanse Sweep 3d scanner and cameras the team was well equipped. The expedition was a huge success and exceeded all expectations. Arriving at Hail Al Hareem on the 30th of October 2017, the team chose to photograph and scan Al Fiqu Cave. The next day’s aim was to take photographs in Al Khishil Cave. A secondary aim was to continue the survey. The team worked hard to take delicate and heavy equipment through the cave. The result after a strenuous and exhausting eighteen hours’ underground was a center line survey from The Entrance to The Fork, a set of incredible photographs and some 3d scans. The 1.3km of passage surveyed, approximately one third of the cave, gives some indication of the complexity of the cave. It will take many expeditions and many more days underground, to produce a fully detailed map.

3D Scan of the Fork (made with Scanse Sweep 3D Scanner

Beyond the Fork

Toufic Abou Nader described the cave and provided a sketch map for the continuations beyond The Fork. Toufic says; “I believe the right fork was the first to be formed, it is very dry and old.” Blair also commented that this section looks very old and her way was obstructed by fragile formations. It is thought the right fork is likely blocked but there are still possibilities to explore. Toufic continues; “to descend through the left fork there is a need to crawl backwards and squeeze through a hole dropping around five meters onto a steeply inclined slab. A further drop, again five meters leads to a crystal clear lake.” However, an easier option discovered on later expeditions is to backtrack twenty meters from the Fork and descend about seven meters through an alternative Drop. This drop avoids the tight squeeze hole and lands you directly on the inclined slab above the Crystal Lake. The temperature at this level gets slightly cooler and less humid. The cave also chang20

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es drastically. The speleothems are wet and active. Flowstone has formed into draperies (curtain like formations). Rimstone dams have formed cascading gour basins full of clear water. Stalactites and stalagmites up to a meter long extend from the floor and ceiling. Soda straws are active and dripping water. Helictite, a wispy hair-like fragile speleothem appears as if grown in zero gravity. Frostwork a delicate needle-like growth of calcite is present and the trained eye will find cave pearls. Beyond Crystal Lake the passage to the bottom of the cave is inclined and has a further four vertical drops ranging from five to fifteen meters giving a further elevation loss of around 150m. After the Crystal Lake a boulder section for one hundred meters leads to a ten-meter drop. From this drop a meander connects to a small room containing the gour basins. A small streamon the left runs towards the

end of the cave, sometimes it is visible and sometimes it disappears between the rocks. The room connects to a crawl section before opening to a large room (100m wide and 50m high). The floor of the room is covered with very slippery boulders. The room narrows and the roof drops to form another crawl passage for approximately fifty meters leading to the next vertical drop. This drop leads to another meander that connects to the final vertical pitch. A chamber opens up to a large room similar in size to the pervious room. This room appears not to have any passages leading out. But it leads to a small pond with a solid rock bottom; a feature known as a “Cave Table”. Water must drain here somewhere, but it is not obvious where, maybe through a number of small cracks. An altimeter reading of 1120m was taken, suggesting the cave is about 330m deep and possibly up to 3km long.

Al Fiqu Cave

Al Fiqu Cave was shown to the expatriate cavers by Hassan Ibrahim Almaeeni (United Arab Emirates), himself a keen caver. Hassan had been a member of the exploration team for Al Khishil Cave and during those exploration trips the local villagers told him about other caves and guided him to Al Fiqu Cave. This cave is important for its impressive flow stone decorations. This cave at 47m deep is small compared to other caves in the area but is technically challenging to enter due to a lack of stable rock around the entrance. The speleothems extend from just below the surface to the cave floor (150m2) in huge flowing formations.

Al Naqqah Cave

The group of expatriate cavers who explored Al Khishil Cave & Al Fiqu Cave invited two Omani cavers to visit these caves and take part in a training day with a view to entering Al Khishil Cave. Several months later some Omani cavers returned and spoke to the local villagers. The villagers guided six Omani cavers to the entrance of Al Naqqah Cave, the third cave to be discovered.

Naming the Caves

The naming of important geological features is a controversial topic. In a discussion with Dr. Mohammed Al Kindi and Simon Cahill, Mikolaj Zielinski said that it is important correct names are researched and used. The highest mountain on Earth was named Everest in honour of the British surveyor George

Everest. Africa’s largest lake was named Victoria after England’s Queen Victoria. Yet to the local people the highest mountain on Earth already had names; Tibetans call it Chomolungma and the Nepalese call it Sagarmatha. Africa’s largest lake was called Nam Lolwe or NalubaaleI in local languages. With the ease of travel today, communication and information data bases there is no excuse for not doing the necessary research and finding correct names. Simon Cahill said; the first person to allegedly discover or explore an important geological feature should not feel they have the right to name it freely as they wish. It is for this reason the names used above should be the ones the caves are known by.

Acknowledgements

Exploring caves takes a huge commitment by many people. A large technical and potentially dangerous cave such as Al Khishil Cave makes the task even more challenging. Exploration and documentation requires fit strong teams with a wide range of skills, knowledge and specialist equipment. More than 20 people have been involved with the exploration to date. Special acknowledgment goes to; Tim Harrison for posting the photograph that lead to the exploration. Simon Cahill for research and leading the initial exploration teams, Blair Hoover for being there all the way through and supporting in every possible way, Christopher Pike for taking the lead on bolting the entrance pitch, Alan Goddard (Australia) & Rayan (Lebanon) for being strong members

of the early push and rigging teams, Toufic Nader for pushing beyond what anyone else has been able to do so far and reaching the bottom of the cave, Hergen Meyer for going out of his way to crunch Blair’s data and then join the team to get a centre line survey in one day, Paul Emmaus for taking photographs & scans in an extremely challenging environment, Mikolaj Zielinski for making himself available for almost every trip and hauling bags of kit when the old guys got tired. Hassan Ibrahim Almaeeni (United Arab Emirates) for being a strong push team member and communicating with the local villagers to locate Al Fiqu Cave. A special thank you goes to the local residents for their kindness and guiding us to two of the caves. The villagers have been welcoming and helpful and shown an interest in the exploration. ■

EVENT REPORT

14,000 take part to sell out this year’s THE COLOR RUN The Color Run Dream World Tour brought the color to Dubai The Color Run presented by Daman’s Activelife returned to the UAE today with another recordbreaking turn out. Celebrating its 5th year in the UAE, runners donned their most colourful outfits and ran, danced and skipped their way through the Happiest 5k on the Planet. This year, Color Runners were invited to ‘Dream in Color’ and experience the all new Foam Zone, which proved to be a huge hit. Elsewhere on the course, Color Runners were covered from head to toe in an array of brand new colors in more Color Zones than ever before along the 5k route. An incredible day out for the entire family, friends and colleagues, Color Runners showed their aspirations on the brand new Dream Wall as well. The event culminated with the ultimate color party at the Finish Festival and the famous color throws! Greg Sproule, Managing Director of IMG Middle East said: “We are thrilled with another huge turnout for the Color Run presented by Daman’s Activelife this year, marking our 5th year in the UAE. The new Foam Zone and Dream Wall were a great addition to the experience and together with all the Color Zones, we created a truly magical 5k run.”

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Dr. Michael Bitzer, Chief Executive Officer at National Health Insurance - Daman, presenting partner of the event said: “We were delighted to see such a wonderful turn out for this years Color Run presented by Daman’s Activelife. We aim to create healthy communities through our ongoing Activelife initiatives that enables people to lead a healthy and active lifestyle. Today’s event is

a perfect platform that encourages friends and families to get together and exercise in a fun-filled environment”. Since its inception in 2012, The Color Run has become a global phenomenon and is now the largest running series in the world. Continuing to innovate the Happiest 5k on the Planet genre each year, The Color Run has been experienced by over 6 million people worldwide in 35+ countries and has donated a staggering $5 million dollars to charity to date. In keeping with the event’s community focus, $1 from every entry at The Color Run™ presented by Daman’s Activelife was donated to Friends of Cancer Patients through the Just Giving platform. ■

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ACTIVITY REPORT

1 more sleep and we start the weekend… This was definitely what all 280 participants had in their heads 24 hours before what was going to be the largest off-road event ever organized by Ultimate Jeep Club! On the 17th of November 2017 Ultimate managed to gather a total of almost 200 jeeps from not only around the United Arab Emirates, but also from the neighbouring Oman and Saudi Arabia. All coming together for one purpose, “Sandrenaline Rush”! As early as 8:00am Jeeps where already encountering each other in the roads leading to the scenic Maleaha Archeological Center in the Emirate of Sharjah which has become a star host in these types of events. The arrival was even more spectacular and definitely exceeded the expectations of all attendees. Offroad Zone, Ramy Automotive, Offroad House, BF Goodrich, Trading

Enterprises, Green Auto works, Keno Carwash, Toptune Shocks, Above Sandboards, MySixPak, Al Millionaire rent a car, Check Point Auto Repair and MonViso water. All congregated at the entrance of the venue to welcome the participants, offer different testing’s, tastings, impressive shows and

amazing opportunities for the jeepers to upgrade their beloved cars. Ultimate, had set high objectives this year and organized an event not appropriate for the faint hearted! Dune bashing is definitely the thing to do with a Jeep, hence the team at Ultimate had prepared an astonishing course for all participants to raise their adrenaline level to heights. The convoys where divided into 3 categories of driving levels to suit all jeepers joining, (Intermediate Convoy, Beginners Convoy, Family Convoy). What to say about the after drive surprise? Well, simply unforgettable. Maleaha Archeology Center had converted their back yard into a Bedouin camp for attendees to enjoy local foods. This was a great opportunity for Jeepers to share their off-road stories, experiences and show off their modifications! A total of 57 gifts worth more than 71K AED were raffled during the final stages of the dinner. Included were; modifications, body paint, dinners, sand boards etc. This without a doubt was the cherry on the cake for this remarkable event. Let’s be honest…. It’s WAS amazing! ■

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EVENT REPORT

Nakheel conquers Jebel Jais for Dubai Fitness Challenge Company walks 1,900 metres to the peak of fitness as 30x30 campaign draws to a close Nakheel has climbed to new heights in the Dubai Fitness Challenge, with300 staff hiking 15 km to the summit of Jebel Jais to mark the grand finale in the company’s month-long line of sports activities. The group ascended 1,900 metres to the peak of the UAE’s highest mountain, topping off more than 300sporting events by Nakheel over the last four weeks, and consolidating the company’s position as Dubai Fitness Challenge the group corporate leader in its category. The event, held in conjunction with RAK Tourism Development Authority, was won by Julius Odhiambo, a fitness instructor from Nakheel’s Hospitality department, who completed the course in one hour, 44 minutes and 36 seconds. Second place went to John Davidson, General Counsel (1:48:39), with Ahmed Raza, Customer Service Executive (1:51:08) in third. Nakheel staff clocked up more than 11.3 million moves during the month, with over 300 hours of physical activity as part of the

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company’s efforts to help make Dubai the most active city in the world. Nakheel Chairman Ali Rashid Lootah, who led the Jebel Jais expedition, said: “I am immensely proud of my teams for their dedication and drive throughout the Dubai Fitness Challenge. This innovative initiative, which has taken the city by storm, has encouraged newfound fitness, friendship and fellowship at our company, and I am overwhelmed by our winning performance in our corporate group.

“Health, wellbeing and sport are integral to our strategy and psyche, so it was only natural for us to sign up and accept the challenge. Over the last four weeks, staff have got fit, made new friends and adopted a greater sense of teamwork. They have also seen that sport has no boundaries: everybody – whatever their age, job title or background or ability – can succeed.” Nakheel events for Dubai Fitness Challenge included everything cycling to swimming, community walks to kayaking, bootcamps to badminton and aqathons to aerobics. Over the last four weeks, employees have cycled 500 kilometres, walked 150 km, run 30 km and kayaked 10 km, among a host of other activities. They have spent more than 120 hours at bootcamp, training or aerobics sessions, 40 hours walking, 16 hours on their bikes and nearly 100hours on other sports. All activities took place outside office hours. ■

EVENT REPORT

Dubai Fitness Challenge Closes To Resounding Success • 30-day initiative came to a spectacular end during closing weekend carnival at Dubai Festival City on 18 November • Appearance by World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Anthony Joshua • Guinness World Records verified new record set by attendees • Incredible fireworks display brought DFC to a close

The first Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC)came to a spectacular close over the weekend, capping an immensely successful month of the inaugural movement that saw Dubai residents and visitors energised to clock in at least 30 minutes of daily activity for 30 straight days. This global first, which launched on 20 October with the aim of making Dubai the most active city in the world, closed with the last of its series of high-octane fitness carnivals at Dubai Festival City on 17-18 November. The event capped off the month-long challenge with a spectacular celebration of the people’s individual and collective achievements with a stunning fireworks display sponsored by Al Zarooni Group. With His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai Government and Dubai Sports Council, challenging the city to adopt the initiative and get active, DFC garnered overwhelming support and enthusiastic engagement from across government, public and private sector and the community of Dubai’s residents and visitors. Stakeholders from across multiple sectors come together in various capacities to not only participate and encourage their own teams and clients to join the city initiative, but equally enabled the delivery of a full month of diverse, and free fitness activities that was accessible to all age groups and fitness levels at multiple locations across Dubai. Performing at the events and endorsing the movement actively were a host of international and regional celebrities who participated in the Challenge and helped encourage participants to boost their physical activity and commit to a healthy lifestyle. Sporting talents included World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Anthony Joshua, former Manchester United footballer Rio Ferdinand, and award-winning fitness instructors, entrepreneurs and online personalities Cassey Ho and Kayla Itsines to name a few.

Commenting on the festivities, World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Anthony Joshua said: “I was very excited to be part of the inaugural Dubai Fitness Challenge. It’s a great initiative that encourages people to get active for 30 minutes daily for 30 days and it was amazing to see so many people participating at Dubai Festival City this weekend.”

Rio Ferdinand, who played 81 times for England and is the winner of six Premier League titles and one Champions League medal said: “I was very happy to be involved in the Dubai Fitness Challenge, to share my training tips and to motivate people to remain active as part of their lifestyle.”

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Several Guinness World Records were set including a mass participation one at Dubai Festival City in association with New Balance for the ‘Most People Attempting Squat Jumps’ with 497 participants breaking the existing record of 473. Nilesh Ved, Chairman of Apparel Group said: “Apparel Group is proud to be part of the Dubai Fitness Challenge - an inclusive community initiative that has surely set Dubai on the journey to be the most active city in the world. By flagging off this initiative, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai has set a huge ball rolling which has gathered tremendous momentum in the last one month. To contribute to the Dubai 30x30 campaign, New Balance partnered with DTCM to attempt the Guinness World record at the closing ceremony of Dubai Fitness Challenge and with the support of the community we were successful in setting a new record.”

Other highlights of the final weekend included action-packed Dragon Boat races on the shores of Dubai Creek plus a host of exciting free fitness activities and workouts from Les Mills’ Body Combat classes to Zumba Fusion with Gold’s Gym across Festival City, providing plenty of opportunities for Dubai’s residents to achieve their 30×30. HE Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said: “What an incredible month of fitness this has been. Dubai Fitness Challenge was conceived to motivate Dubai residents of all ages and abilities to adopt a more active lifestyle as we embarked on our quest to become the most active city in the world. We were confident our people would get behind the initiative wholeheartedly, yet what we have witnessed over this 30-day period has been truly overwhelming. It has been incredible to see how many people have taken part in the huge range of events and activities and their commitment to maintaining the fitness momentum over the duration of the Challenge. We are not only immensely proud of all the citizens, residents, government organisations, schools and businesses that have engaged in this programme, but are also humbled by the

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determination and perseverance of so many that have shared their inspiring journey of transformation towards a healthier life serving as a motivator to the wider community to make a positive change. “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his inspiration and vision, and all the partners, sponsors, sporting talent and teams and most of all the people of Dubai, who made this unprecedented initiative come to life. While the Challenge has now have drawn to a close, we urge everyone to keep going and maintain the healthier, more active lifestyle as a choice for life.”

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Each of the five signature weekend fitness carnivals running over 2-3 days took place at iconic Dubai locations including Safa Park, Kite Beach, Skydive Dubai, Burj Park and Dubai Festival City. Thanks to the support and generosity of Al Futtaim, Dubai Holding, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Emaar, Meraas, Nakheel and Skydive Dubai, the pulling power of these impressive locations drew in the crowds as they flocked to get involved in DFC, try new sports, push themselves to greater achievements and meet their fitness goals. A huge range of partners, sponsors and fitness organisations joined the DFC movement, putting on a total of 1,500 free fitness classes at 85 locations across the city on a 28

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scale never before seen in Dubai. Each of the five signature weekend fitness carnivals drew in huge crowds with over 25,000 attending the opening weekend at Safa Park, reflecting the truly inclusive nature of participants from children to people of determination to seniors and varying levels of fitness abilities. Featuring a huge range of sports from beach cricket, cycling and football, to paddle boarding, team sports, walking, yoga and everything in between, the carnivals were completely FREE. Each event showcased a variety of stage performances, entertaining high-octane routines, celebrity fitness professionals that shred tips and interacted with the crowds, and even had picnic zones with healthy food

options to make it a weekend out with family and friends for all. A number of existing and highly successful partner events being hosted during the 30-day period in Dubai were also brought into the DFC fold, including Dubai Color Run, Dubai Mass Swim, Pink Ladies Run, Dubai Schools Fitness Games and Yogafest, among others. DFC mobile fitness units brought fitness to every resident, popping up in over 75 different spots across the city including malls such as The Dubai Mall, Mercato and Ibn Battuta, lifestyle destinations like City Walk and The Beach at Jumeirah Beach Residence, as well as residential neighbourhoods including Jumeirah Lake Towers, Jumeirah Village Triangle and Al Barsha.

Other special events hosted during the month-long initiative including the XSpartan Workout and the X-Dubai Sunrise Yoga session in the middle of the Skydive Dubai runway. DFC also saw Dubai’s first ever Superhero Walkathon, which saw Dubai Marina transformed into a scene straight out of comic book wonderland with participants dressed up as their favourite caped crusader, battling it out for fitness supremacy. Children were further spoilt for choice with

the XDubai X3Junior Triathlon at Kite Beach encouraging kids of all ages to participate in a fun fitness environment. In addition to official events under the DFC umbrella and the many organised events that were part of the Dubai events calendar, stakeholders ranging from government bodies such as Dubai Sports Council and public service entities, to educational institutions, healthcare and utility providers, and private-sector businesses large and small, unanimously pledged their commitment to the movement, encouraging their employees and customers to get involved through a variety of special fitness activities, events and stunts to ensure that every day had a jampacked schedule of fitness opportunities for

the city to be engaged with. DFC was created to motivate Dubai’s citizens, residents and visitors to boost their physical activity and commit to 30 minutes of daily activity for 30 days. The challenge ran from 20 October to 18 November 2017 and encompassed all forms of activity – from walking, team sports, intense fitness regimes, paddle-boarding and aerobics to football, yoga, cycling and everything in between. All ages and fitness levels were encouraged to participate individually or together with friends, family and colleagues, enjoying new and exciting ways to improve their fitness levels. Participants tracked their performance and their contribution to the city on the DFC app. ■

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ACTIVITY REPORT

As Part of its Nationwide Terrestrial Conservation Programme

Emirates Wildlife Society-WWF Discovers

FIRST ARABIAN EAGLE-OWL IN UAE The Emirates Wildlife Society in association with WWF (EWSWWF) has confirmed its recent discovery of a previously unsighted owl species in the UAE — the Arabian Eagle Owl (Bubo africanusmilesi) — among the rich wildlife currently inhabiting the Hajar Mountains in the Eastern Region. Discovered during an owl survey conducted by Anthony Stoquert, a scientist from EWS-WWF’s Terrestrial Conservation Programme— with the support of Sami Majeed, a Wadi Wurayah National Park ranger from Fujairah Municipality— the sighting of the Arabian Eagle Owl is particularly significant, as it highlights the need for more in-depth research and studies on the UAE’s rich biodiversity. Commenting on the discovery, Jacky Judas, Manager & Scientific Advisor – Terrestrial Biodiversity, EWS-WWF, stated: “This recent finding has been quite exciting for the EWS team, as it is undoubtedly just one of many undiscovered species that call the UAE home. In spite of a hot and arid climate, a wide variety of resilient and

fascinating species, thrive in our deserts and mountain areas —not only species resident in the Arabian Peninsula, but also wintering or migrant species on their way between Asia and Africa! Unfortunately, the rapid pace of development has become a major threat to many of these creatures. Thus, it is crucial— now more than ever— that we ramp up collective efforts to protect and safeguard key habitats and endangered species, all of which constitute the UAE’s rich natural heritage.” He continued: “If a large bird, 45cm in height, weighing 600 to 800g— even if nocturnal and elusive— went unnoticed up to the beginning of the 21st century, what about much smaller species of animals and plants, or under-surveyed taxonomic groups? We have very little doubt that so much more is still to be found in the Hajar Mountains.” In 2015, the discovery of a single singing individual of Omani Owl in Wadi Wurayah National Park, inspired EWS-WWF to organize a more comprehensive owl survey in the Hajar Mountains of the UAE and Oman— with an aim to better understand the status of owls in the area. Funded by the Mohammed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, the owl survey is part of a wider biodiversity survey of the Hajar Mountains also initiated by EWS-WWF, which intends to gather information on the many species living in the Mountains, including their status, distribution and abundance. The ultimate goal of this research, is to contribute to the creation of a network of Protected Areas, focusing on biodiversity hotspots— which are areas with the greatest number of species, or that shelter species of higher conservation concerns (rare, threatened or endemic species). The Arabian Eagle Owl typically inhabits

different parts of Dhofar, Oman, but few scattered records also attest its presence in the Hajar Mountains of Oman. It is also found in Yemen and in the Asir Mountains of Saudi Arabia, along with the Red Sea coast. A subspecies of the widespread Spotted Eagle-Owl (Bubo africanus) — which ranges from Kenya, Uganda up to South Africa— the Arabian Eagle Owl tends to live in open woodland, rocky hillsides with scattered thorny shrubs. Its diet in Africa is composed of large insects, small mammals, birds and reptiles. Very little is known however, on its ecology and behaviour in the Arabian Peninsula— reinforcing the need for continued research on owl species in the region. EWS-WWF’s Terrestrial Conservation Programme focuses on safeguarding landbased ecosystems (such as wetlands, mountains, and desert shrub lands) and species, by working with key players to secure its long-term vision of a nationwide protected area network that ensures environmental connectivity. EWS-WWF is looking for like-minded organizations and individuals to collaborate with. To learn about corporate membership programs, volunteer programs and other opportunities to get involved, please visit www.howyoucanhelp.uae.panda.org/ ■

EVENT REPORT

Words + Photos by: Aldrin Francisco

The Emirates RC Off-road a fast growing local group of RC Hobbyist and enthusiast held its 6th RC race event sponsored by Hobby Sportz Dubai on 18th November 2017 at the beautiful sand dunes of Exit 55 along Emirates Road. The group started last 6th of June 2017 with six members who met on social media with common leisure interest. From there, it grew to have more than 50 members owning different scales and categories of Remote Control cars. Members and spectators alike enjoyed the 6th event where they experienced the thrill

Winners: Xmaxx Circuit Race

1st place

Fill Crop

2nd place

Larry Sulc

3rd place

Joe Martinez

Xmaxx Drag Race

1st place

Larry Sulc

2nd place

Aljune Pacete

3rd place

Lulu Akl

of the main event featuring the gorgeous line up of RC Monster Trucks, 1/5th Scale Off-Roaders Traxxas Xmaxx in the circuit race and drag race. On the sidelines, owners of 1/8th, 1/10th and 1/16th 1/8th Scale scale RCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also showcased 1st place Mark Louie their driving skills. More than 30 RC drivers 2nd place Alaa Khalil compete and were awarded 3rd place Fill Crop with trophies and certificates during the successful event. 1/10, 1/16th Scale The event ended up with 1st place Kim Orias some family bonding and a barbeque party while enjoy2nd place Aljune Pacete ing the cool weather of the 3rd place Tope Amita evening! For those who have the same passion and common interest the group is open to all and you may visit their page for more info. www. facebook.com/EmiratesRCOffroad â&#x2013;

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ACTIVITY REPORT

Stairway to

Heaven

Words + Photos by: Tima Deryan

I have been a training for high altitude mountains including the 7 summits for the past 3 years now. Besides the cardiovascular and weight training, it is very important to be on a mountain to train for another mountain. Living in the UAE does not make it very easy when it comes to training on mountains since more than half of the country is a desert. However, Ras Al Khaimah offers great mountains ranging from an easy hike to a hard one. The highest mountain known in the UAE is Jabal Jais, but have you heard of Stairway to Heaven? Stairway to Heaven is the toughest mountain in the UAE located in Wadi Ghalila next to the Oman borders. It stands at an elevation of around 1,800m with a distance of 19km roundtrip and it’s known for its exposed paths. So far, I have hiked up to the summit more than 15 times during both winter and summer, I go almost every weekend to train. This keeps me in good shape for my upcoming mountains abroad and there is always something new to learn every time I’m on the mountain.

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Here are some key takeaways that I have collected from the mountain so far & would like to share it with everyone interested in hiking up to its summits. Stairway to Heaven has been known for its dangerous exposed route however, this is not the case anymore. The path has been fixed and throughout the route you can find Stone Cairns marking the ascent from start to end. Yet, you should always stay cautious because there are 3-4 parts that have loose rocks or a messy slippery stair. Given the fact that I have been on the mountain during both winter & summer, I would always suggest to start the hike as early as possible. It’s nice to start as the sun rises so you can complete the maximum distance possible in shade until the sun is completely up. It is usually harder to hike when the sun is up because it drains all your

energy and leaves you dehydrated. Hiking up the summit is always great during winter, you can start around 7 am and enjoy the weather. However, during summer, you have to be very experienced and have a very high tolerance level because the heat and humidity can be as high as 45 degrees Celsius with 70% humidity. Usual start the

hike at 5.30 am to finish as much distance as possible before the sun is up. The summer hike is only for experienced climbers who have to train and have no other choice otherwise, there is no reason for anyone to be on the mountain from June to September. Since the mountain is a tough one, there are different options to hike it based on your fitness level. What I usually do is go up and down the mountain within 4 hours and 45 minutes. When I take a group, the average time is around 8 hours. Group member are usually fit but hiking a steep mountain requires strong legs with high stamina. Another way to hike up to the summit is splitting the hike for 2 days. I haven’t done that previously as I like to let the group individuals be aware that they can push their limits. I know it is tough on them sometimes, but the positivity and excitement of the group individuals after the hike is done is just amazing! Stairway to Heaven offers great views, the higher you go the better the view gets. I have met some villagers there and one of my good friends now “Saeed” who was born on the mountain and is 48 years old now always meets up with me either on the summit or on the way down. He is usually there every Friday picking up a specific plant to cook for lunch! It is very funny when Saied & I communicate as the language barrier is our main issue but we still understand each other! Saied believes that stairway to heaven is his home, He told me about every area name

at the mountain, where his friends on the mountain live and how they manage their daily life. An Inside piece of information is that there is water almost every 2km on the mountain but they hide it so that nobody can see it except them! If you ever plan to hike the mountain, try to find him and if you do make sure to share some energy bar because he loves them! Stairway to Heaven is one of my favourite mountains in the UAE, I always suggest the hike to people that I think can do it based on their fitness level and stamina. This mountain is not for everyone and it requires a lot of effort to complete. I suggest you only do it with someone who is experienced and has done the mountain previously. We should always respect the mountain to avoid injuries! However, if you are a mountaineer or training for your upcoming mountain, Stairway to heaven will be your perfect playground! With its tough ascent, the mountain will make sure you are ready and well trained. ■

ACTIVITY REPORT

Dubai to be First Official Foil Center

SeaYou Dubai launches the world’s first ever Wind Foil Center On November 14th, SeaYou Dubai helped launched Starboards first ever foil center with an inaugural opening that took place at the Retreat, Palm Dubai, MGallery by Sofitel resort & spa. Over 15 top local windsurfers from the UAE were invited to the launch where they were treated to a free seminar from Starboard’s head of board design, Tiesda You and Thewes De Boer from Severne Sails. Windsurfers also got the chance to try the all new Starboard foil 147 Technora and the Ultracore reflex carbon board with the GT and race foil as well as the all new NCX and Turbo sail from Severne sails. Headquartered in Thailand, Starboard have made a name for itself for becoming the leading SUP, surf and windsurf brand in the world having over 68 distributors worldwide selling some of the best boards in the market. Before the launch, Starboard’s head of design Tiesda You was quoted as saying; ‘Flying over the sea without a sound,

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MIDDLE EAST’S OUTDOOR, ADVENTURE, TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

zipping along silently close to thirty knots. What could be more fun? The foil adventure begins’. It takes very little wind to lift the board from 6 knots and once you are up on the foil, the feeling you get is as if you’re floating above water. Star Board’s foil center will be based out of the Palm Jumeirah, a man-made island in Dubai home to many luxury hotels and homes. The foil center will be a one of a kind and a first to the Middle East which will be managed by SeaYou Dubai, a non-motorised water sports center that have been operating in the UAE the last 5 years. To attract windsurfers around the world, SeaYou Dubai will partner up with a 5-star hotel to put together attractive hotel & flight packages which will see guests from all over the world flying to Dubai and experience Starboard’s first ever foil center. Guests, from beginners to experienced windsurfers, will get to enjoy lessons and rentals on Starboard’s newest foil collection with all the Starboard foils available on site. For more information and photos check out www.starboardfoilcenter.com ■

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TRAVEL & ADVENTURE

in Mount Elbrus h g u o T d e t s e T Words + Photos by: Fadi Hachicho

“I don’t have a name, I just have a dream, and my dream is not about achieving something, but about doing something which makes me happy; makes me feel connected to the universe and that ensures I live my life fully.” Climbing Mount Elbrus was always a goal of mine as is a part of my life dream to climb the seven summits of the world. Having recently completed Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa and Everest Basecamp in Nepal as part of my work as a certified mountain guide for Adventurati Outdoor, it was a natural progression for me to climb Mount Elbrus in Russia.

What is your mountain?

When you are up there climbing, when you are in the midst of the journey, you find a hidden sense of elevation; a sense of moving slightly beyond what you are. In that time your brain is working at its hardest due to the physical and mental challenge, and you are at your most determined and focused. Climbing the mountain is the focus of your mind and you are very much living every moment in the present. Every mountain is an incredibly different experience in terms of challenge and experience. You cannot compare one to another; they are all unique and extraordinary in their own way. Some mountains are not particularly high, but very different in terms of technicality, the skills required to climb it and the challenges it poses you. The key to any high altitude climb is to be as hydrated as possible at all times. The most important of all, is having the right mindset for a climb. In my honest opinion,

if we had to put a percentage on it, high altitude mountains are 65% mental challenge and 35% physical challenge. This assuming that you are fit for the challenge and have trained well to prepare your mind and body for the challenges that lay ahead. I do a lot of stair climbing with heavy weights and a training mask to simulate the conditions of a tough mountain climb as closely as possible. This is a key part of my training. On the mountains, there are so many factors beyond your control, so don’t waste your time trying to fight it but rather accept and adapt to change. Personally, I find the best way to stay positive and on top of my mental game is by letting go of all expectations and simply living in the moment and drinking in my surroundings, it’s like a form of meditation. My climbing partner Eby and I have a philosophy that laughter is indeed the best medicine for any challenge! We climb the mountains with the intention of enjoying our time and making unforgettable memories.

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If we happen to summit then great; if not, the mountain will always be there for us to return for another attempt. Laugh, dance and entertain yourself on the trail or at high camps. Music lifts my spirit and I always have it with me on every climb. It fills your soul with positive energy and it is contagious, reaching out to everyone around you. Elbrus might be the biggest peak in Europe but to us it is just another pile of rock and snow at least that is the way we mentally perceived it during our climb to mentally subdue the enormity of the reality of the mountain. What happens when wind picks up on a mountain that stands in complete solitude? You will question yourself and your mortality. ‘Do I really want to go through with this?’ Or ‘Should I head back?’ The mountain will always challenge you in unexpected ways. You will have to prove you have been tested tough every time and adapt to unforeseen

circumstances. Mount Elbrus is a brutal and demanding climb, not because of the terrain itself but mostly, if not entirely, due to its bipolar weather change. On a normal day winds can vary from 30kmh to 100kmh with temperatures as low as -20C on summit night. Winds at that speed are strong enough to whip you off your feet. That is why it is important to be fitted with the right gear that will keep you warm so you can focus on achieving your goal. I have only good experience and trust in that regards Columbia gear. The best way to learn is through experiences, 10 days on Mount Elbrus was the ultimate learning experience, like an intensive course. The bipolar mountain weather can drastically alter the levels and intensity of a climber’s altitude sickness. During one of our acclimatization climbs from high camp to higher Pastukhov rocks, we got hit with a thunderstorm. It went from scattered clouds to black sky in less than an hour. Shortly after it began to snow and we could see lightning in the distance and hear the roaring thunder. I was not prepared for the sudden and extreme headache that these conditions brought about. At the time, I could not understand why it was so sudden and not gradual. Nonetheless, I continued to climb assuming this was the effect of a normal altitude sickness feeling and I should handle it as I always do on high altitude climbs. I stayed calm and was trying to stay positive, hydrated and focused on being present in that moment. Our local guide on the other hand was not so comfortable. She asked us to head back to high camp, keep all our electronics packed away and drag our trekking poles low. I did

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not understand her behavior until we made it back safely. Turns out thunderstorms generate a lot of electric fields in the atmosphere, which worsens the effect of altitude sickness. Also being within a dense electric field you are highly vulnerable and exposed to being struck by lightning that is why it is important to put away your electronics and keep your trekking poles down. Better safe than sorry. I learnt a lot that day. Every mountain has its own beauty, but being situated in the heart of the Corcases mountain range, Elbrus is indeed one of the most breathtaking mountains I have ever seen and had the privilege to climb. With every mountain I learn something new and experience a deeper connection with our majestic planet. ■

TRAVEL & ADVENTURE

Words + Photos by: Hanady Alhashmi

Have you ever wondered what it is like to go hiking in high altitude? A few years back, before I left for Kilimanjaro for my first ever high-altitude trek, I did not know what to expect, I asked lots of friends around me and did my research on Google, read so many articles and blogposts about what high altitude was, what it felt like to hike in high altitude and how to prevent getting high altitude sickness. What I discovered was that you basically won’t really know what it is and how much it will affect you until you are up there, no one really knows why it affects some people more than others and why some people have different symptoms than others (from mild to severe), regardless of their fitness level or even how many times they’ve climbed. It is still better though to be well informed prior to leaving on your first high altitude Aconcagua summit trip on how it can affect you and how to better reduce symptoms so it won’t From my own experiences, I affect your whole trip. have felt some usual symptoms So, what exactly happens and such as headaches that ranged what does it mean to your body? from mild to so strong, it affectWell the higher on a mountain ed my mood, I felt like people you get, the lower the air prestalking and the sunlight were a sure becomes, meaning there are disturbance. I have on other ocfewer Oxygen molecules holding casions felt nausea. I have been themselves together and thus lucky though as I have also seen harder for your body to absorb others get severe symptoms; and it just starts to feel like you from respiratory problems to are not getting enough oxygen. hallucinations, and the best way for them to It may start to affect your body and how get relief was being helicopter out of there it is used to doing its normal daily functions on to lower altitudes. on sea level. But your body soon starts to adapt or “acclimate” with time. I have many So, what can we do about it? times forgotten that we are at a higher altitude and I walk off somewhere in my normal The following are some things that have sea level speed, only to stop half way just to helped me: catch my breath; what was just a few steps, • I stay hydrated and drink lots of water, felt like I just sprinted a mile! soup and tea

Camp Denali

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• Eat well, even if I lose my appetite, I force myself to eat the whole plate • Have some slices of lemon with me; good for nausea • Go slow, in Kilimanjaro, the saying is POLE (Swahili for “Slow, Slow”) • don’t get angry and stay calm. You don’t want to get your blood pressure high up • Sleep well Most importantly, I found it imperative to be honest with yourself and the guides. If you are taking any medication, or experiencing anything out of the ordinary, let them know. They might try to accommodate and take it slow so you get more time to get used to it. Follow me in my adventures around the world through Instagram: @hanadyalhashmi ■

Jabal Shams, highest mountain in Oman

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TRAVEL & ADVENTURE

Sea Shepherd 40th Anniversary and UAE launch Marine conservation organisation Sea Shepherd has launched into the Middle East with a United Arab Emirates chapter. Celebrating 40 years in operation, Sea Shepherd is known globally as a direct-action organization focusing on innovative tactics to investigate, document, expose and confront illegal activities on the high seas. Some of Sea Shepherd’s most successful campaigns have seen Sea Shepherd work with authorities to arrest illegal fishing operations in places such as Africa, East Timor and even in Antarctica. Recently, the organisation, in a joint operation in partnership with the Liberian Ministry of National Defence to tackle illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the Republic of Liberia, West Africa, assisted the Liberian Coast Guard in the arrest of a notorious fishing vessel the F/V Labiko which is on three different international blacklists. Since September 17 this year, the marine conservation organization has been patrolling the waters of the Republic of Liberia in West Africa in an operation under the coordination of the Honourable Minister Brownie Samukai. Sea Shepherd’s vessel the MY Sam Simon is patrolling Liberia’s coastline with 19 crew under Captain Bart Schulting, in addition to ten Liberian Coast Guard sailors with the authority to board, inspect and arrest ships suspected of violating Liberian law, and two Israeli maritime advisors and conservationists providing training assistance. But the fleet of Sea Shepherd ships, which now numbers 11 and the crew of volunteers offshore is not just what Sea Shepherd is about. By also having access to volunteers onshore, the organization ensures local issues as also being addressed.

Sea Shepherd UAE Managing Director Natalie Banks

For Sea Shepherd UAE these issues include marine debris whereby volunteers assist with beach and ocean clean up days as well as promoting the use of their replacement merchandise to combat single-use plastics. Sea Shepherd globally has partnered with Keep Cup to promote reusable take away coffee cups, while also offering replacements for plastic water bottles and plastic bags through the sale of stainless steel flasks and canvas bags in additional to a great deal of high quality, eco-friendly merchandise. Since officially being registered as a notfor-profit in September, Sea Shepherd UAE has already held a number of pop up stalls such as those at the Dubai Creek Pre-owned Boat Show and the SeaYou Watersports Challenge. They have also partnered with a number of key stakeholders to host beach clean ups, movie screenings and educative days. The 1st December saw the chapter celebrate its launch while also celebrating 40 years on the frontline of marine conservation for Sea Shepherd globally. With a video from the founder, Captain Paul Watson welcoming the chapter and the future direction of Sea Shepherd globally shared by the group’s Asian Director, Gary Stokes, the night was filled with memories from veteran crew member Trevor Van Der Gulik as well as footage of the successes throughout the history of Sea Shepherd. The UAE chapter, headed by shark conservationist and PADI Scuba Diving Instructor Natalie Banks looks to have a bright future, with plans to obtain a support vessel for the organization’s campaigns, including marine debris, which could also provide training skills for those interested in offshore campaigns. There are also already talks taking place about plans to work with authorities to assist in the removal of ghost nets (fishing nets left in the water) which consistently ensnare and kill marine life. Natalie herself is excited to have the chapter operating in the United Arab Emirates.

Captain Paul Watson

“It’s an exciting time to be involved in marine conservation in the Emirates and I’m really looking to working with authorities and stakeholders to defend, conserve and protect the marine environment,” Natalie said By safeguarding the biodiversity of the delicately balanced oceanic ecosystem, Sea Shepherd works to ensure its survival for future generations. Natalie is supported by an enthusiastic and passionate board as well as having 28 volunteers register locally since officially launching. “The enthusiasm our onshore volunteers have for marine conservation and the networks we are building is what continues to motivate me everyday to improve and at this stage, build Sea Shepherd UAE,” Natalie said. “We have had volunteers from all walks of life join us, from lawyers, pilots and air hostesses to at-home-parents, scuba divers and surfers and that is the beauty of Sea Shepherd; you only really need to have a strong commitment to marine conservation to become a volunteer and from there the opportunities are endless.” Natalie herself started as an assistant to the Managing Director of Sea Shepherd Australia before working her way up to being an adviser to the Board of Sea Shepherd Australia regarding shark conservation and now President/Managing Director of Sea Shepherd United Arab Emirates after being involved in three offshore campaigns. “Volunteering for our global offshore campaigns is one of the most exciting adventures a person will experience at sea,” Natalie said. “You get to be a part of a crew all focussed on saving the marine environment while also learning new skills on the job and making friendships that can truly last a lifetime.” To show your interest or express your support of Sea Shepherd, please email uaeadmin@seashepherdglobal.org ■ Sea Shepherd volunteers Ryan and Rachel remove debris from their local beach

TRAVEL & ADVENTURE

The Arab Pulse:

Mt Toubkal – Morocco Part 1

Words + Photos by: Fahd Abu Aisha

Day 1 Summiting Mt Toubkal in Morocco was the first of 7 challenges I had set myself as part of an initiative I am driving to promote a healthy and active lifestyle in the region. Aptly named ‘The Arab Pulse’ campaign, my mission is comprised of a series of trials that include summiting the highest mountain in the Arab world - Mt. Toubkal and participating in marathons and triathlons in an array of different Arab countries. With the support of Rahhalah (my go to adventure specialists) they organized the trip to Morocco over the course of the Eid Al Adha holidays. As per usual due to hectic work commitments I did not have adequate time to manage my quest-prep in advance. On the eve of my flight taking off in Abu Dhabi - a tiresome niggling factor since I’m based in Dubai- I rushed from work to buy some gear, supplies, a Jafar-inspired shave and Aladdin haircut to ensure the most important factor of all: Being Instagram ready! I had just a smattering of time to, eat dinner, clean my house and finally pack. These frenzied few hours were spent in a most On Rooftoop of Riad Palais Sebban

uncomfortable fashion of me fretting that I would certainly forget something important! I called a taxi and informed him we were going to Abu Dhabi, to which he responded with glee saying that he was not feeling very well and was glad that this one trip would be sufficient to cover his shift for the night. I was exhausted having not slept properly the night before. I had also run 16km, something I hadn’t done in 3 years, in preparation for the first marathon race I would be running in Amman, Jordan. I tried to rest in the car but the driver kept yammering away. Like the cruel sleep deprivation torture methods used on criminals, I would be deceitfully lured into a prolonged period of silence, only to be suddenly disrupted by loud unnecessary small talk from the driver who had now become my enemy. It was a painfully excruciating hour to the terminal! I finally boarded the plane, launched my bag into the overhead compartment and collapsed in my seat. The plane was empty but I was told the flight was fully booked. Judging by how long it took to get on the bus and board the plane I assumed we would be delayed for at least an hour. I Courtyard of Riad Palais Sebban

would never know because once my head was pressed up against the window I was out cold. I woke up to the soundtrack of the first album of the Black Keys. It must have looped 30 times while I was in a deep slumber. Looking out of the window I saw nothing but white hills, as if we were flying over a snowy canyon in the sky. I couldn’t make out if they were mountains or just beautifully designed clouds. I was praying for the latter, because I hate the cold and was dreading more freezing nights up in the mountains. I looked up at the plane’s tracking map which highlighted the cities in Arabic. We were firmly in Moroccan territory - the little plane symbol a few centimetres away from a city called Dar Al Beidaa. In one of those eureka moments in which I could not believe I could not connect the dots at any earlier point in my life Casa Blanca - White House - Dar Al Beidaa. I was buzzed with excitement believing I had discovered something revolutionary. My guide Hussein whom I would meet on arriving in Marrakech would later tauntingly challenge me to answer why I thought it was named that way.

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Riad Palias Sebban

As the plane descended I was thankful that my mind had just been playing its usual tricks on me, as those white hills were nothing more than clouds. We plunged through them like a hot knife cutting through butter, with the views opening up below. Four minutes away from our destination - according to the screen - and all I could see below me was farmland with a few houses scattered sparsely across the fields. Where was the city? The runway itself seemed to pop out of nowhere in the middle of these fields. As I disembarked from the plane I looked around confused that I could not see a single high rise building in sight. This was the main airport; Mohammed V International Airport but it was a good 45 minute drive away from the city. I went through all that general public transfer business - connecting flights formalities before sitting at the domestic gate waiting to board for Marrakech. The tiredness had crept up on me again. I was too scared to sleep, worried that I would hibernate through the announcements and miss my flight. I thought up a strategy of walking to the cafeteria, buying some ice cream and walking around the hall while eating it. I would try a different flavour every time I got up, to keep my brain excited and distracted from the weariness. I did this 3 times, a feat made more awkward by the expressions on distraught children’s faces I passed, who gazed pitifully each time I walked by with a new scoop! The flight to Marrakech felt like 5 minutes instead of 50 as I passed out again for the duration of the flight. This time we had landed earlier than expected so the driver was not yet there to receive me as I walked out of the terminal. I was desperate to sleep some more so I laid down my duffle bag on the pavement and nestled my head comfortably on it before the driver appeared to stop the slumber party. He launched me and my luggage into his car and off we drove into the city. As we drove past the walls of the old city and past the Mamounia Hotel - one of the largest and arguably best hotels in North Africa, I was trying to maintain my whereabouts and sense of navigation. That possibility increasingly evaporated the more we weaved in and out of the narrow cobbled streets and

Riad Palias Sebban Reading Outdoor UAE in Courtyard

alleyways. We eventually stopped at the door of my hotel, discreetly hidden within the red walls of the street like a secret door to an even more secretive garden. My guide Hussein was waiting for me at the secret entrance, and pushed through the massive wooden door to lead me into the hotel. The Riad (traditional hotel) had a historical palatial atmosphere. To my delight it turned out to actually be a palace. The Palais Sebban was constructed around the magnificent residence of Caid (Governor) Sebban. Beautiful Islamic geometric patterns adorned every inch of the magnificent property, lining the walls, floors, multiple courtyards and sitting areas on the roof, which had a splendid view of the Andalus Mosque and the red rooftops that littered the skyline. Feeling like James Bond on one of his exotic overseas escapades, I briefly contemplated skipping the mountain altogether and just staying put for the duration of the trip. Hussein informed me we would go out in the city for dinner later in the evening, until then I had a few hours to kill. I had no idea how far the hotel was from the main road or how to get to the main landmarks and I was not going to risk getting lost exploring, given the state I was in so I slept (again) instead. Hussein walked me through the main square Jemaah Al-Fnaa; it was bustling with people - tourists, locals, pop up shop owners accompanied by their bursting stalls, street performers and snake charmers to name a few. We took a sharp right off the main swarming high street called ‘Prince Street’, walking up to the terrace of a restaurant that overlooked the street. The dinner was delicious considering I had spent the previous 36 hours living off

processed plane food and ice cream. I devoured the brochettes with relentless gusto and gulped down tasty flavoured curry sauce on the rice. Moroccan teem (dates) and sugary biscuits followed to ensure everything within my bowels was digested in a cooperative fashion. I was intrigued by our waiter’s ability to pour the tea into my cup from a meter above my almost thimble sized cup. He told me that this age-old tea pouring practice increased the zest and flavour in the tea when served as such. Pondering over the red skyline I wondered how many more theme coloured cities were in the country. Marrakech was red, Casablanca was white. Hussein told me of the Moroccan city Chefchaouen where all the buildings were blue (another one to add for the bucket list). This country was more fascinating than I had previously imagined. Hussein and I assessed our journey on a map. Fortunately for me and my skin sensitivity to disagreeable weather he had forecasted only warm weather to come and it was only after hearing his brief - because of course, rather than read the itinerary myself I prefer having it recited to me the day before an expedition- I discovered that we would be sleeping in a refuge on the mountain INDOORS! This was music to my ears. We walked a different route around the main square and back to the hotel and slowly I began to familiarize my bearings. We were to leave tomorrow morning at 9am to the village of Imlin. This gave me sufficient time to fully recuperate and make up for lost sleep.

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Day 2

I woke up at 6am, which was considerably earlier than I had expected to. It was still pitch black outside leaving me briefly disoriented. The first serving of breakfast was at 7:30am and I had slept well enough to not fall back asleep. Trying to kill time I began stretching and doing some morning pushups thinking that this last minute strengthening would help me surge up the mountain. I dragged my bags to the reception desk for check out and found Hussein waiting to assist stowing my luggage in the van. Finally, we were set to begin our journey to the town of Imlin. It would be a 90-minute drive from Marrakech I discovered. As we peeled out of the Old Gates and the Old City, I admired red block after red block passing by us until we steered onto an open highway with the Atlas Mountains sprawled over the horizon getting larger and more magnificent the closer we approached. The road began to ascend and we steadily crept up the slopes of the mountains, weaving through while escorted by stunning views of the valley beneath us. Eventually, the car slowed down and the driver masterfully manoeuvred the vehicle through a bustling marketplace in the middle of the road. Hussein explained that every Saturday, the locals would bring out their fresh produce as well as clothes, jewelry and textiles to showcase and sell. Since it was also the first day of the Eid Al Adha, it was more crowded than usual - the locals were out and about buying gifts for their family and friends. 42

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Rachid’s village

For a few more minutes we soldiered on and finally reached our drop off point in the village of Imlin. Hussein introduced me to my guide Rashid, my companion who would be climbing with me to the summit

of Toubkal. The sun was scorching hot but I was not complaining. It was a welcome change on these mountain adventures, instead of the disgustingly freezing temperatures I had endured on recent trips. I threw on some sun cream, strapped on my backpack and off we went continuing a little higher up the road to the starting point of the trail. It only took five minutes of walking on the gently ascending slopes before I started to feel a dreaded strain in my thighs. This cannot be happening already I thought, and I tried to brush of this nuisance of discomfort by slowing my pace a little. We walked by a small textile and clothes shop and I looked to Rashid to go inside because I wanted to buy a local Berber dress to wear at the summit and to prep for the ‘Insta-famous’ glory. The shopkeeper was wearing a colourful gallabiyah with a rainbow patterned turban wrapped around his head and dropping to his knees. A beautiful mess I thought - he reminded me of one of the dishonest shopkeepers in the marketplace in Aladdin as he smiled crookedly at me. ‘Come in my friend,’ he gestured. The ‘friend’ was a nice touch as I knew I was in for a serious bout of haggling. He presented me with a ‘vintage’ Berber gown I instantly fell in love with and according to the shopkeeper was worn by the locals on special occasions. A few back and fourth’s on price and a matching hat thrown in sweetened the deal, satisfying for both parties. ‘It was a pleasure doing business’, his grin stretching to the back of his jaw.

With Aladdin Salesman and Vintage Berber Dress

Rashid and I carried on our path up the trail through a small cluster of woods. After about half an hour we emerged onto an open plain and found a quaint band of houses perched on a ridge overlooking the valley we were standing in; ‘That is my home!’ Rashid exclaimed. He had only recently been married and pointed out the house in the distance, where he and his wife lived. He then carried on, explaining that he climbed Mt. Toubkal 2-3 times a week. His first time to summit was when he was 15 years ago. This was his home and his mountain. I was relieved I was in good hands. We pushed onward and upward, traversing across the slopes of the ridges overlooking the valley. After we had climbed over, we found another vast and deep ravine below us. Toubkal was in our sights but it was painfully disheartening to think that we were at the final hurdle of a hill, only to find another gorge to cross.

After an exhausting few hours, we set up a picnic in a flat area next to the trail to have some delicious Moroccan lunch - Kofta Tagine. There were other tourists at this spot which appeared to be the designated ‘lunch spot’ - French, Canadians, Belgians; all French speaking. Rashid and I talked about our previous adventures. By coincidence we discovered that one of my previous guides, Lisa, who had taken me to the summit of Elbrus was a friend of his. She had come to Morocco in the winter, to climb Toubkal 5 times and then ski down. What a very small world we live in. Two more hours of walking and we had finally reached the refuge. I was feeling extremely blessed and grateful; we were sleeping indoors and there was a working toilet. We had popcorn while sitting in the main lounge of the refuge and I exchanged stories with some of the other travelers waiting for dinner. We had more tagine (beef this time) and some warm tea, making me gloriously drowsy. Rashid advised me to sleep early, warning that he would wake me up at 3am so we could attempt to reach the summit by sunrise. I crawled into my sleeping bag and tucked myself in for an early night’s sleep. Ecstatic as I was at the prospect of sleeping in a warm indoor shelter, feelings of dread overtook me almost instantly as I started pondering leaving the refuge and inevitably sleeping out in the open. I was dozing off, eyes closed and my brain slowly succumbing to my will when

suddenly the door swung violently open, crashing against the wall with deafening force as a bundle of bags clonked and clattered to the floor. In walked a group of 5 travelers who were going to be spending the night as well. The rest of the tenants grumbled and griped in their cots but didn’t confront these hooligans. How could they have possibly arrived at the refuge now so late at night and from where? Hurling their bags on the top level of the bunk beds with a loud thud, the metal frame holding the beds above my head squeaked with the sudden impact of the weight. They climbed up and began chirping to each other in high pitched whispers. By this time, everyone in the room had awoken. Just as their mindless chatter started withering out, they decided to have a communal visit to the bathroom. One by one, they creaked down the bunk beds and relieved themselves. Between their movements, and gurgles coming from the bathroom and the rustling of their plastic bags as they frantically searched for whatever it is people frantically tear through their belongings for in the middle of the night - I was seconds away from challenging them to a dual. I cannot recall the point at which my body gave in and fell asleep but I remember being woken up by disturbingly loud snoring, again coming from above me. I do remember fantasizing pulling out my pocket knife and slitting all their boot laces so they wouldn’t be able to follow me in the morning as well, giving me enough comfort to lose consciousness! ■ To be continued

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THE

OFF-ROADERS corner

Name: Louise Adamson Nationality: British Occupation: Creative Director /Race Director Vehicle: Land Rover Defender 2009

What modifications have been made, performance and cosmetic wise?

How often do you use your car, and what activities do you take part in?

Tell us the background story of the car…

Do you have something that you consider to be a ‘special feature’ of the car?

Are you planning any future modifications?

I grew up always wanting one. Grew up and got one! Bought it from a French national who kept it hidden away from all the shiny bling I was about to decorate it with. He was horrified and believed Defenders were meant to be minimalist. I had other ideas. Quite a lot of them!

Performance? Not much. I believe they are the way they are for a reason. Slow, diesel, clunky, noisy = Capable, fun, powerful, and ruggedly handsome.

A swing-out outdoor shower. Homemade from broom handles and plumbing angles for 295 AED, I can shower anywhere and not frighten any onlookers! Just add diesel - the car is ready to go, anytime, anywhere. It is completely standalone ready for any adventure. (The custom-made attachable Lights bar is pretty special too).

It is used extensively over the winter season, for camping and off-road adventures. Mainly used during our outdoor trail run races. Exploring new routes, route marking, race director vehicle duties, photography and video assignments.

Possibly a heated shower. When we drive it overland from the UAE to Europe, we will no doubt need water a little warmer than air temperature of the UAE. Not much, it is pretty much perfect as it is.

What 4x4 do you dream of owning? I already own it! ■

What were your other options before you bought this car?

None. It came on the market and it was an impulse buy!

Want your 4X4 to be the next feature? Just send us an email at editor@outdooruae.com with the subject “Off-Roaders Corner” and you and your car might just be the next one on this page! 44

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$100 Cash REWARD Share your routes with OutdoorUAE and receive a reward of USD100 if we will publish your route.

es Rout ED T WAN

Your routes will be available online for everyone to download for free on outdooruae.com/route. You will be credited as the author of the routes. All we need from you is the GPS (gpx) route file, a few photos and a short description. We are looking for hiking, off-road, MTB, trail running, MX and any other outdoor related routes. Routes should be from the UAE and border regions. Help us to get more people outdoor, active, healthy and happy be able to enjoy the beauty of this region. You can upload your route at outdooruae.com/add-route and we will get back to you within a few days if your route will be published and how to collect your reward. For more details email us at routes@outdooruae.com

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Habitually Healthy

Two-Wheel Camping Words + Photos by: Robert Jahn

It really is strange. People hear ‘Dubai’, and think of an amazing urban environment, towering skyscrapers, and unlimited luxury. But if you take a ride off the beaten track you’ll discover the UAE has much more to offer. Camping in the desert is extremely popular this time of year, with the cool, winter evenings making the outdoors bearable. And you don’t always need an oversized 4x4 to access the top camping spots. Completing your journey on a robust bike can add another dimension to your desert adventure. The Cycle Hub in Dubai have a range of Specialized Mountain Bikes available to hire on a daily basis, or take Specialized bike ready for road

the plunge pick up a new set of wheels. Pack your tent, and enjoy a night under the stars and roasting marshmallows around the campfire. Of course, your body will need to refuel. If you are riding the trails to your chosen camping grounds, you’ll need something practical to pack. One of my favourite, and super-quick recipes is for Paleo Granola. It’s

gluten, dairy and refined sugar-free making it a healthy choice too. Easily eaten as a snack or for an early breakfast while watching the sunrise from the comforts of your tent. It’s easy to store, easy to eat, and high in nutritional value to keep you going. And you don’t have to worry about liquids spilling or your food getting smashed! ■

RECIPE

Paleo Granola 4 portions (or 12 handfuls for snacking) • 100g almonds with skin on • 50g coconut flakes • 50g walnuts • 50g hazelnuts • 50g raw pistachios • 10g sesame seeds (white) • 20g honey or maple syrup Mix all ingredients in a bowl, make sure that the honey or maple syrup is spread nice and even and is coating the nuts equally. Spread out on an oven tray, make sure nothing is overlapping, this will ensure that it browns evenly. Place in a preheated oven at 160c for 15 minutes or until its nice and browned. LET COOL before trying! As hard as it is to resist trying it, the sugars in the honey or maple syrup will be super hot and you will burn your mouth. Once cool store in an airtight bag or container. The mix will then last up to 4 weeks if stored correctly. Serve with almond milk, or eat dry as a snack.

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Located at The Cycle Hub, Dubai Motor City Call: 04 425 3000 Website: www.thecyclehub.com info@thecyclebistro.com facebook.com/thecyclebistro instagram.com/thecyclebistro The Cycle Bistro GPS location: Latitude: N 25° 02.792 Longitude: E 055° 14.384

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PRODUCTS A ROUND-UP OF QUALITY PRODUCTS AVAILABLE RIGHT HERE IN THE UAE

For Men

Bugaboo™ Casual Interchange Jacket

Caldorado™ II Trail Running Shoes

499 AED | Was: 699 AED

239 AED | Was: 439 AED

Available at Columbia stores across the region

Features • Omni-HEAT™ thermal reflective • Omni-TECH™ waterproof/breathable critically seam sealed • Zip-in and 3-point Interchange System • Synthetic insulated liner • Attached, adjustable hood • Chest Pockets • Interior security pocket • Zippered hand pockets • Adjustable sleeve cuffs • Drawcord adjustable hem

The ideal balance of support, traction, and cushioning, with amazing fit, feel, and design, all in a comfortable and lightweight package.

Fabrics • Shell: 100% polyester matte melange. • Liner: 100% polyester. • Insulation: 100g Omni-Heat™ • Thermal Insulation. • Lining: Omni-Heat™ Reflective lining • 100% polyester

For Women

Upper Seamless upper, coupled with cushioning collar foam, fully integrated gusset, and reinforced toe cap provide comfort and protection. Midsole • FluidFOAM midsole for exceptional cushioning, flexibility and support. • Patented Fluid GUIDE technology for enhanced midfoot stability and a smooth ride on the trail. • Ride heights: 19mm heel / 11mm forefoot. Outsole • Full length rubber outsole. • TrailSHIELD protection plate integrated with forefoot flex grooves. • Multi-directional lug patterns provide traction on varied surfaces. • 4mm outsole lug height

Snow Eclipse™ Mid Jacket

Minx™ Slip II Omni-Heat™

249 AED | Was: 399 AED

249 AED | Was: 349 AED

Available at Columbia stores across the region

Features • Water resistant fabric • Synthetic down insulation, 150g • Removable hood • Interior security pocket • Zippered hand pockets • Comfort cuffs • 2-way centerfront zipper

A slip on silhouette that is easy to wear and offers great function and style.

Fabrics • Shell: Storm-Lite DP II 100% polyester. • Lining: 100% nylon 210T taffeta. • Insulation: synthetic down 100% • polyester.

Upper • Waterproof woven synthetic textile and medial zipper • Soft faux-fur lining collar • Omni-TECH™ waterproof breathable seam-sealed membrane bootie construction • 200g insulation • Rated -25F/-32C • Omni-HEAT™ reflective lining Midsole • Removable contoured PU footbed Outsole • Omni-GRIP™ non-marking traction rubber

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PRODUCTS Alpinestars Neck Brace BNS PRO BK/WH/RD

Alpinestars Tech 10 Red Aqua Anthracite White

Available only at Al Yousuf Motors Across UAE

The BNS Pro is constructed from a high-performance glass fiber compound to offer optimized structural integrity and frame strength. BNS Pro provides heavy impact energy diversion capabilities in the event of a crash.

Specification • Exclusive dual compound sole is seamlessly integrated to the multi-density foot base structure with built-in support. The sole offers superior durability, grip and feel while riding. • The central sole insert is easily replaceable and Alpinestars offers a full sole replacement and boot repair service. • New buckle closure system includes high-impact aluminium bridge closures, with memory and a quick release/locking system with self-aligning design for easy, precise closure and improved riding performance and security. All buckles are easily replaceable • Soft microfiber gaiter helps seal out excessive water and dirt entry. • Poly-fabric lining with 3D open cell foam incorporates anti-slip suede on heel area to keep foot located inside the boot.

Jobe Aero SUP Inflatable Package

Nolan N44 Evo Special N-Com [027]

2,995 AED | Was: 4,295 AED

1,495 AED

1,195 AED | Was: 1,350 AED

SUP in style

Made in Italy

Available only at Al Yousuf Motors Across UAE

Specification Either beginner or advanced lightweight user you can find your way into SUP with this super lightweight and highly accessible board. Making use of a non-detachable thruster fin system the 9.4 SUP is ready to go as it is and supremely maneuverability. Unzip your accessory SUP bag, inflate the board and you’re good to go and start paddling! This SUP is perfect for flat water conditions.

The Nolan N44 EVO is a fully modular helmet, ideally responding to the needs of expert motorcyclists and suitable for both summer and winter use. Designed for urban riding, the Nolan N44 EVO is equally at home on a long journey or weekend getaway, and has a unique style that is at home on any bike.

Length: 9’4 Width: 30 Thickness: 4 Board volume: 165L Recommended Rider Weight: up to 80 kg Board Weight: 7.2 Kg Package includes Inflatable Board, Paddle, Air pump, Fins, leash, repair kit and bag

2,500 AED

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Features • Polycarbonate shell • Ultrawide UV400 Pinlock-ready face shield gives the rider a greater field of vision • Pinlock insert lens included • 2 position VPS inner sun shield • 2 shell sizes: 2XS-LG and XL-3XL • Protective chin guard • Central ventilation system • AirBooster airflow system • Microlock2 double lever retention system • Clima Comfort liner • Cheek pads with new, monolithic shap and integrated chin strap • Visor Air intake • DOT

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PRODUCTS Benq GS1 Portable Outdoor Video Projector

Bicycle Rack for Car Rooftop with Suction Cups

1,999 AED

Starting from 630 AED

Available at major retail stores e.g. Jumbo Electronics, Sharaf DG

Available at: www.dturman.com

The first BenQ projector designed to bridge the gap between indoor and outdoor space, giving you endless entertainment possibilities. Try something new and transform your camping experience into one that you’ll never forget. The GS1 is packed with all the benefits of an indoor projector. So bring the GS1 along and set up camp wherever you want!

Brand: Rockbros Color: Black, Blue, Green and Red Style: 1, 2 & 3 bikes Weight: 2-5kg Name: Bicycle Rack Features: • Simple installation • Lightweight • Without any harm to the car • Applicable to any car • Low wind noise Installation steps: • Clean up car and sucker • Press cylinder rod until you can't see the white part • Fixed the fork • Confirm the rear wheel position • Fixed rear wheel and pedal Tips: • If it is installed on a car sunroof, please don't open the skylight. • Speed less than 120km/h • Check every 4 hours

Led Lenser MH6 Rechargeable LED Headlamp

Led Lenser MT18 Rechargeable LED Flashlight

Available at GO Sport stores in UAE and Qatar

• Light output 200 lm • Beam range 120 meters

• Light output 3000 lm • Beam Range 540 meters

245 AED

899 AED

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Available at supermarket across the UAE Call: Tel: (00971 2) 6324507 | PO Box: 314, Abu Dhabi, UAE Capacity: 6 Persons Rooms: 1 Set Up: Fastpitch Structure: Cabin Poles: Steel Ground Sheet Polyethylene: 1000D Outer Fabric: Taffeta 150D & Polyester Mesh Seams: Taped Carry Bag: Included Pack Size: 12X24x24cm Dimensions: 2745X305cm Center Hight: 183cm Weight: 9.6kgs Water Column: 660m Rain Fly: With Out Rain Fly Brand: Coleman Origin: USA

Oztrail Skygazer 4XV

Oztrail Deluxe 3.0 Gazebo Blue

Available at Adventure HQ Times Square Center, Dubai; Yas Mall & Dalma Mall, Abu Dhabi

A convenient, lightweight & compact 4 person dome tent that's easy to set up in just minutes - ideal for festivals, weekends away or just for the kids to have their own privacy away from Mum & Dad. The spacious enclosed front vestibule provides extra room for your gear out the front. Extra head height means more space to enjoy.

The 3 x 3 m standard for market stall tents & shelters - tough, durable & easy to set up marquee. Portable shade for camping or beach. Silver Coated UVtex® 2000 Sun Tough canopy fabric - the UVtex® treatment not only protects the canopy from harsh UV rays, it also doubles as a waterproof barrier. 300 Denier fabric thickness. Factory heat taped seams keep the gazebo waterproof by preventing seam leakage.

499 AED

Coleman Instant Tent

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995 AED

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PRODUCTS LiFEVENTURE Thermal Mug

Vango Rocket 120 Bluetooth Lantern

Available at Adventure HQ and Healthy Sports

Available at Adventure HQ

A thermally induced vacuum ensures that drinks hold their temperature and can be enjoyed hours later.

Premium CREE LED Light provides a brilliant white light.

95 AED

Features • Vacuum insulated to keep drinks hot or cold for 4 hours • Made from 18/8 food-grade stainless steel • Double-wall construction with screw-on lid • Conforms to British Standards • 330ml capacity • Available in 15 different color

Bestway 4-Person Traverse Tent 649 AED

Available at: Al-Futtaim ACE stores and online at www.aceuae.com/en/ace-uae/942732 Travel with your buddies and bask in the outdoors using the Bestway 4-Person Traverse Tent. This amazing tent has a new-age sturdy design that sets up easily. It has a streamlined structure that provides stability even in windy conditions. It is weatherproof and has a detachable roof for those hot, summer days. There are side doors and windows for free movement and ventilation. The high-quality 190T polyester with PU2000 mm coating makes it sturdy and durable. Features • Side doors and windows • Rain-resistant, fire retardant tent with insect net • Collapsible and portable design • Durable outdoor tent for four people

375 AED

Features • 2 settings: Low - 40 lumens/High - 120 lumens • Built in 3.7v 1600mAh rechargeable lithium ion battery • Smart power indicator - Indicates remaining charge in torch • Car adaptor included - Recharge from the car • Bluetooth connection - Built-in wireless speaker (range 8m) • Charge your phone or tablet using the USB port • Carry handle • Hanging Hook - Easy to attach • Charge time: 2 ½ hours • Runtime: Low - 16hrs/ High - 6hrs (dependent on battery quality)

Folding Bed (Black) 199 AED

Available at: Al-Futtaim ACE stores and online at www.aceuae.com/en/ace-uae/941635 Sleep comfortably while on a camping, fishing or hiking trip using this Folding Bed. This instant folding bed is superior in terms of both, construction and comfort. It uses a sturdy metal frame that folds and sets up easily for convenience. The durable fabric that stretches out on the frame is highly comfortable to sleep on. It comes with a side storage pocket and headrest for extra convenience. Features • Also adds up as an additional bed in the family for friends or visitors • Superior construction gives comfort and makes it suitable for outdoor use • Comes with a side storage pocket and headrest for extra convenience • Keeps you protected from rodents

OUTDOORUAE

OUR EXPERTS

Words by: Daniel Birkhofer

After covering in the November issue how to prepare and what essentials to take with you, we will now leave the tarmac and get a first taste of off-roading. As mentioned before, the best way to get started is with someone who is experienced or with a club. Offroading is like so many other activities you need practice to master your discipline, so start with easy routes and work your way upwards until you are a pro yourself! Before going off-road, you should know your car! A lot of people drive their 4x4 for months or even years and don’t really have an idea how to use all the options their car is offering to go off-road. So make sure, you know how to engage 4WD if it is not a permanent 4WD. Know how to switch off and on any driving aids which might be useful on the road but not off-the road. It is quite common, that the first problems with new drivers start at the beginning simply because they have not put the car in the right driving mode. The options differ a lot between cars but things you should look up:

• Switch off traction control • Switch off stability systems • Switch on differential locks • How to choose gears manually in an automatic transmission car? • And last but no least you should have a good feeling for your car, every car handles differently which might not be a big issue for experience drivers but if you never been off-road you should be familiar with your car, know how much engine power you can expect, how the brakes feel etc, otherwise it will just add the risk of getting unnecessarily stuck.

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32PSI Tire Footprint

It is commonly known that you should reduce tire pressure but most people don’t know why. Observing the car after releasing some air from the tires looks not much different than before so people often underestimate the huge difference it really makes. Even if you see not much difference from looking High range ratio 3:1 to the side of the (the shows (4 high or car, 4hi or 4 graphic ) how much surface contact tire will onmore the road and for higher the speed have if pressure is released). There are many ways to release air, you can get deflators or just simply press in the small pin in the valve to release pressure. You can count down to 30sec and then check the pressure again until you reach the desired value. Once you have done this a few times, you will know how many seconds your tires approximately need to be deflated. The pressure value depends on many factors, e.g. the terrain is gravel, rocks or soft sand but most of all on personal preferences. If you ask a few pros they might all give you different values, so from engine to driveline it’s not an exact science it’s more a personal preference. But a good range would be between 20-25PSI for rock and gravel and 16-20PSI for sand. If you are stuck in sand you can even deflate further but the lower the pressure in the tire, the higher the risk that a tire might pop off the rim.

15PSI Tire Footprint

Getting back to step 1. You should know by now how to do all these steps and not take out the manual before leaving the road. Turn on 4WD. High or low range - If your car has the option to choose a High1:3 or Low gear ratio you Low range ratio should benefit, which ones (4 lowunderstand or 4lo or 4 their ) you is based on speeds preference and exforchoose more torque but low perience. High range will give you more top speed which is used commonly on the road. Low range ration will give you less speed but much more torque (at low speeds) which is usually beneficial in off-roading condi32PSI 15PSI Tire Footprint Tire Footprint tions. High range ratio 3:1 (4 high or 4hi) - on the road and for higher speed Low range ratio 1:3 (4 low or 4lo) for more torque but low speeds Low range ratio 1:3 High range ratio 3:1 to driveline from engine (4 low or 4lo or 4 ) (4 high or 4hi or 4 ) on the road and for higher speed

The differential compensates thefrom different engine to driveline distances each wheel has to travel at any turn rc

for more torque but low speeds

from engine to driveline

The differential compensates the different

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Gears - The trick in sand is to always keep momentum, not speed. Avoid any sudden changes, so get going in 2nd gear not the 1st to avoid the tires from directly spinning. Unless you need to accelerate to make it up a dune, drive in low gears with steady momentum in lower RPM. Low gears and low RPM reduce the strain on the engine, avoid overheating and uses less fuel. If you descend dunes use your engine break in 1st or 2nd gear and not the foot break.

I sh nne or r ar ter c

Differential lock 32PSI - First this needs a bit expla15PSI Tire Footprint Tire Footprint nation to understand the concept and use of it. In cars the differential allows the outer drive wheel to rotate faster than the inner drive wheel during a turn. This is necessary when the vehicle turns, making the wheel that is traveling around the outside of the turning curve roll farther and faster than the other.High The average of the rotational speed of Low range ratio 1:3 range ratio 3:1 (4 lowinput or 4lo orrota4 ) (4 high or 4hi or 4 wheels ) the two driving equals the for more torque but low speeds the road and for higher speed tionalonspeed of the drive shaft. An increase in the speed of one wheel is balanced by a decrease in the speed of the other. This is good on the road but off-road this can turn into a nightmare since it lets only the wheel spin which has no traction. The wheel with the least amount of resistance (the wheel which has no traction and is spinning) suddenly from engine to driveline from engine to driveline but only when the traction under each wheel receives 100% of available torque, resulting differs significantly. Your car might have in 100% loss of traction on the 3 wheels still several locking options front, back, central if in contact with the ground. (See graphic) it is equipped with a differential lock. Most common is a central lock on 4WDs. The differential compensates the different If this sounds too confusing all you need distances each wheel has to travel at any turn to know, if you are stuck and only one wheel or two wheels are spinning and the others rc ra don’t move at all, you need to lock your dife g lar ferentials. r te u You should never drive with the diff-lock(s) O locked on the road, it will take control from you and makes the car hard to steer.

A locking differential is designed to overcome the chief limitation of a standard open differential by essentially “locking” both wheels on an axle together as if on a common shaft. This forces both wheels to turn in unison, regardless of the traction (or lack thereof) available to either wheel individually. A locked differential can provide a significant traction advantage over an open differential,

Driving Aids - For most conditions especially sand switch off the “traction control” - traction control will stop tires from slipping and spinning and will take throttle from the tires to counter act the slipping. Since momentum is essential, you need to be in control of the throttle at all times therefore it’s better to switch traction control off. Some cars automatically turn of traction control when you switch in Low ratio. Ascending a gravel road and in some other conditions, traction control can be very useful, so in that case you might want to switch it back on.

The same applies for ESP, off-roading is not what these computers are programmed for so they might work against what you are wanting to do so it’s better to switch all these aids off. If you use some off-road modes or differential lock some cars switch off these aids automatically. 3. Check your instruments; Even if you made a check before you leave your home, always check again before you go off-road and also always keep an eye on your dash board. Monitor the engine temperature, fuel level and other important parameters your car can provide both before and while you are off-road. Now you should have a basic idea how to set your car before leaving the road. As mentioned, off-roading is not an exact science and you need practice and experience and this series of article should just help you with some basic theoretical information. In the next article we finally hit the dunes! ■

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OUR EXPERTS

Words by: Mike Nott Photos by: Colin Campbell, Mark White, Dave Shennan, Adam Davidson & Mike Nott

As far as mountaineering expeditions go, the world's tallest sand dune is merely a pimple. The summit of the dune, found in the Ramlat Jadilah desert of western Oman, is 455m; not Earth shatteringly high. However, it does lie in one of the most spectacular areas of dune desert in the world; the Rhub al Khali or Empty Quarter. 10km from the Yemen border and 30km from the Saudi border it, fortunately for us, lies within the benevolent and accessible borders of the Oman. In 2009 my good friend Colin Campbell (the best off-road driver I've had the fortune to meet) led an off-road trip following successively the Oman/UAE border, the Oman/ Saudi border and then the Oman/Yemen border. All went well until we were shot at and captured by Yemeni militia, interrogated and then finally released into Omani hands. My 16-year-old son, who was with me, found it difficult to convince his school friends that this had been exactly what had happened during his October half-term holiday. This final part of the route was completed the following year, without mishap. It was thanks to Colin's planning and these two trips, that this eventually became 'Route 14 Oman Empty Quarter' in my guidebook. Fast forward 8 years and Colin invited me on a 10 day trip into Oman to retrace old steps but

Part 1

also to visit the world's highest dune. Having left the UAE in 2014 I didn't envisage such an opportunity and didn't hesitate in telling him I would definitely be coming. There were four vehicles: Colin and son Ryan in their Mercedes G55, Mark and son Campbell in their Nissan Patrol, Dave in his Toyota Prado and Adam and I in his Ford F150. The first part of the plan was to enter the desert via Fahud and then follow the sand and gatch track across the Um as Sumeem, south of the oil fields at Yibal, and then into the dunes of the Empty Quarter; paralleling the Oman/Saudi border. The initial target was the oasis at Muqshin. We refuelled at

the small and almost hidden fuel station in Fahud and then entered the labyrinth of roads around the oil industry installations in Yibal. It was here that we were to have our only imposed diversion of the entire 10 days; a stroke of bad luck. We were intercepted by a local police patrol just south of Yibal. Though very friendly, they insisted on taking us to the police station, taking our details but then, thankfully, prescribing a diversion that didn't take us too far out of our way; perhaps another 10km from our original route. This allowed us to carry on Colin's intended route but also meant having to camp earlier than intended.

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It was during the drive to Muqshin that one of Mark's almost new BF Goodrich AT tyres burst. This necessitated a diversion to Haima; the nearest town where we might find a replacement tyre (we didn't) and get Mark's second spare fitted to the wheel (we did). We headed back to Muqshin, lunched and then headed into the dunes beyond and towards the Oman/Saudi border. This initial section of dunes was the trickiest we were to come across. Tight lines, very soft sand and ridge after ridge blocking our way. We pulled up for the night next to a large sand mound, with ghaf trees and mucho scorpions. The following day we were trying to trend northwesterly but had to accept that our only option was to head north easterly and follow the line of the dune ridges. Eventually, Colin found a series of low saddles and passes through these ridgelines and we made good progress and hit waypoint OE45 of the Oman Empty Quarter route. From here we hoped to be on, or close to, the route but because of delays at Yibal and Haima, we were a day behind schedule, so Colin pressed on and we took a more direct route through the most stunning

red dunes that this part of the Empty Quarter has to offer. The chance to again traverse this sublime area of red dunes for four days was the motivation for me to accept Colin's invitation. I found that after a three-year absence, my love for this area was undiminished, and wished that I could stay there for much longer, but we had a 'dune' to find. While we crossed this area we stumbled up on remarkable landscapes; limestone eruptions, outcrops of desert rose, mounds of geodes and solidified muds. Colin was doing a brilliant job leading us, particularly through the huge ridge-lines. Mark had a second puncture, which we rapidly swapped and by the fifth day, we were nearing our target. We needed to head west and the dune ridges were running north south and slowing us down. Colin turned south west and we popped out of the dunes and into gravel and rocky plains. We quickly crossed this area but then had to penetrate more dune lines to get closer to the 'dune'. We probed several ridge-lines but the sand softened and became more intricate. Eventually, we ended up on the old border track between Yemen and the Oman and followed it to a judicious junction with a track that took us towards our target. From here a short hop over a low ridge-line and we arrived at the base of the 'dune'. It was tall and clearly higher than others we could see around us.

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We lunched, waited for the temperature to drop and then all headed up to the top on foot, from which we were rewarded with the most stunning views; into Yemen, Saudi and all around. Camping in view of the world’s highest dune was a tremendous treat only to be improved by the Halloween decorations brought by Ryan and Campbell. The following day our route now took us back towards the gatch track and onto the border town of Mazyouna. As we approached the new and tarmacced road we stopped to inflate and whilst doing so we were intercepted by a roving military patrol. The normal questions were asked and because knowledge of the ‘dune’ was becoming more widespread they accepted our reasons for being there but indicated that should we come again, could we please stop at the military base and let them know! Mazyouna was easily reached, Mark bought another spare tyre, we enjoyed ice creams, resupplied our fuel and food and headed off into the Dhofar Mountains. We passed our fateful turn off towards Yemen, along which we’d been captured 8 years before, and headed south to the coast. We were about halfway through our 10-day journey. ■

The Omani Coast - Part II follows next month.

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OUR EXPERTS

A year in Oman Words + Photos by: Marina Bruce

My first big trip in Oman was in February to the Umm As Sameem – the sandstorm edition. There was bad weather forecast but having crossed the border and paid for visas everyone was still keen to go. Having done a risk assessment based on the forecast we concluded that there was no danger to our group, so off we went. Usually when we cross the Umm As Sameem I suggest to my group that they might like to imagine a cloudy day with no sun, and how difficult and dangerous it would be to navigate with a camel train; well, we may have had modern-day camels, i.e. capable 4x4s and a track to drive on but they didn’t need to stretch their imaginations hard to visualize my scenario – the visibility was 100 meters in places. Our friends Nikos and Yanis cycled the last 100kms of the track with their fat bikes and you can read about their adventure in the March 2017 edition. Early in March we made our first trip to the famous Sugar Dunes in Khaluf, heading south via the Wahiba Sands followed by the enigmatic Barr Al Hickmann, and we enjoyed this area so much we returned later in the month. February/March was a particularly busy time for me and at one point I had driven 14,000kms in 33 days; two days on the beach with no driving was called for – although we did use the car to get to the Ramlat Jadilah - highest sand dune in the world

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Walking on Jebel Akhdar

shop some 15kms away – up the beach! Having chilled out for a couple of days we continued our journey to Salalah via the Muscat-Salalah Coastal Highway; this must be the best road in Oman! Beautiful scenery, enough shops, roadside restaurants and petrol stations to make the journey comfortable, and plenty of interesting places to stop and you can read about this route in the OutdoorUAE July (“check this”) edition. For the Ascension day holiday in April we ran a trip in the Starfish dunes based on the route in Mike Nott’s book, followed by an overnight in a beautiful Wadi near Yanquil. There are some huge oasis lining the road between Dank and Yanquil and these make great exploration walks; dates, bananas and corn grow abundantly here. Before we knew it, the hot weather was here and there was nothing for it but to head for the hills, the lovely cool green mountain, Jebel Akhdar in fact. The first of two summer trips with walks, drives and visits to fruit farms and rosewater factories! Over the summer months, we also explored Wadi Bani Auf, Wadi Sahtan and the beautiful Wadi Hawqayn; you can follow the last one’s route on the OutdoorUAE website. An easy Wadi where you have the chance to drive through water year-round, it is also a straightforward drive through wonderful scenery. If you have a head for heights and would like a more challenging drive then the

Jebel Akhdar

route from Al Hoota caves over to Rustaq via Wadi Bani Auf and Snake Gorge should be on your to-do list; awesome scenery, tiny little villages clinging on to the side of the mountain and amazing geology! October saw a return to the Starfish dunes; one of the best sand dune areas in Oman and so accessible to UAE drivers – very well worth a visit. In November we made our last visit of the year to the beautiful Rub Al Khali, this time enjoying the best weather we have had there – comfortable temperatures and clear blue skies, lots of stars at night including a few Perseid Meteors! 2018 will see me returning to the UAE where I plan to get in as much sand driving as possible! Having driven in the sea, over rocks, through rivers and over huge salt flats, the Desert Diva has concluded that the sand dunes of the UAE are indeed her natural environment! ■

TIPS & TRICKS

Cycling Guide to Abu Dhabi Words + Photos by: Pedro Gomes

With a growing interest from those living in the United Arab Emirates in cycling and triathlons and because there is a lot of information about cycling options in Dubai but there seems to be a lack of online resources regarding Abu Dhabi, I decided to do a little digging and discover where could one get his daily fix over the two wheels. I asked my friend Justin “Danny” Dance, an avid cyclist himself based in the city, for a little insight and while there are other options, here are the top places for riding in the city: Al Wathba Cycle Track

Located South of Abu Dhabi, and about 20-30 minutes drive away for those living in the city, it is a 24/7, open to the public, the dedicated cycle track in the desert. My initial thoughts when I first visited was that the track felt very similar to Al Qudra cycle track in Dubai. It is indeed a shade smaller in length but has good light conditions around the most common loops so one can come early in the mornings or enjoy it very late at night. If you have never been to Al Qudra either, it’s a similar dedicated bike path/track with good and smooth pavement, mostly flat that also stretches out through the empty desert but in Dubai. The Al Wathba track is free of charge and parking is easy and open. Amenities include a bike shop, changing and shower rooms, pray room and a small groceries shop. This traffic free track consists of five anti-clockwise loops of 8, 16, 20, 22 and 30km, which all begin and end at the same parking lot, are clearly signed at the turning points and with distance markers. If you choose to take advantage of the track at night, beware that some of the amenities have closing hours (10pm for the groceries shop I believe) and 58

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not all loops are lit at night. Loops are all linked and as long as you keep riding anticlockwise, you will end back to your starting location without much trouble. During the day, mostly early mornings and late afternoons, it’s common to find multiple other enthusiasts riding a bike and between amateur cyclists, fanatic roadies or triathletes, you can surely find a partner for your weekly excursions. A popular ride is the “full Monty”, where you ride all loops consecutively for a total of just under 100 km.

Yas Marina F1 Circuit

This is probably the trademark ride when it comes to cycling in Abu Dhabi. Located on Yas Island, the F1 track, the same where Sebastian Vettel or Lewis Hamilton (and others like them) burn rubber riding their top of the line F1 race cars, you can both run, cycle and enjoy some of the free activities provided by the circuit on a weekly basis. While the F1 track is home for a series of events throughout the year, it is usually open for run/cycle every Sunday and Tuesday evening from 18:00 to 22:00 and again on Wednesdays for female only. As there are some other recurring events and special dates at the track, I strongly encourage you to check their website before visiting and see what days of the week the track is actually open for runners/walkers. From my

experience, they do a very good job not just updating the website but answering to inquiries regarding the use of the track. The track itself is a fascinating experience to do on a bike (or running/walking) – it consists of a 5.5km loop that you can do multiple times and for as long as you want during the opening hours. Because it’s open mostly late afternoon and night, you go through the same motions as the F1 race drivers go when they race the F1 Abu Dhabi Gran Prix – also held late in the afternoon/ night – just, maybe, slightly slower! If you are just visiting Abu Dhabi and didn’t travel with a bike, no problem as you are able to rent one of the track’s bikes free of charge! Amenities include food vendors for a postworkout recovery meal over laughs and talks with friends. While access to the track is free of charge, you must read the waiver regarding the use of the track and you must go on their website beforehand to register and enter your details for safety reasons. You will be provided with a code/card that you must scan/present at the entrance. The track is very popular among locals mostly due to accessibility and location, being just a short drive away from the center of Abu Dhabi, and it can get very busy during the winter time when is peak season for cycling and running in the United Arab Emirates.

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Al Bateen Beach

Located on the West side of Abu Dhabi, the Al Bateen beach is an area that has grown in popularity among locals mostly due to the little traffic and good access for those on that side of the city. While there is no dedicated bike path/lane for cyclists and you are riding on the actual open to traffic road, it is a relatively safe and quiet, making it an option if you wish to get a quick (or not) ride in. If you go early mornings or late afternoons, it is very likely to find others riding along it as well. The beach itself is free of charge and it has become an appealing location for triathletes as you cannot just bike, but swim and run as well. Parking is free, there is a coffee shop at the beach and the road where you can ride stretches for 10km, up and down for one lap. If you have never been there, I would suggest navigating to the beach location and park your car as you get there. The road where you can ride is the final stretch before you arrive to the parking.

Friday Group Rides

While I’m sure there are other groups in Abu Dhabi, there are two predominant ones: The Raha group ride and the Yas Cycles group ride. Raha Cycling is a road cycling club based in Abu Dhabi, established in 2009, when a group of about 6 riders got together and started riding from Raha International School on Khalifa City. Their group has grown massively ever since and they get together regularly for rides with the Friday (and Saturday) ones being the most popular. Yas Cycles is a bike shop, also in Abu Dhabi, which provides local customers with the finest all bike related services. Not only that but they also have a cycling and triathlon women’s only team and while the Friday ride goes on the streets of Abu Dhabi and is extremely popular, they also organise group sessions at the Yas F1 circuit when the track is open. Both these rides follow similar routes, and road bikes are encouraged, starting from Khalifa City heading down to Al Reef, Al Falah and then back through Al Bahia and Yas Island. While these rides tend to follow

the same roads, beware that they change slightly every now and then and starting times also change. Therefore, I strongly advise you to find both on Facebook (Raha Cycling group and Yas Cycles page) and keep an eye on them for the latest news, updated routes and start times. This is a rough guide for what Abu Dhabi has to offer for any cycling enthusiast. There is one particular route that I left out of this guide, but you can also explore, especially for an easy spin or for a stretch of the legs: The Corniche in Abu Dhabi has a dedicated bike lane that stretches out along the bay. The pavement is a bit rough and bumpy but it is extremely popular for running and walking, particularly among tourists, therefore not ideal for fast and steady rides or for those looking to get a hard workout in. Rather dust off your cruiser bike, ride along the Corniche at a chilled pace and enjoy the view. With the growth of the sport in the United Arab Emirates, I’m confident more options will pop up in the future and if you are ever tired of the options in Abu Dhabi, you can always drive a little South to Liwa oasis – still part of the Abu Dhabi emirate for a taste of quite roads, a few punchy hills and magnificent sand dunes! ■

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PEOPLE

is a Way of Life Name: Stef Economides Nationality: British Age: 55 years old Profession: Sales Manager, Challenging Adventure

Words by: Bandana Jain Photos by: Supplied

Stef Economides’ best memories date back to his first Ironman in Sweden. A triathlete who thought he would never be able to do an Ironman (combo of swimming 3.8km, cycling 180km and running 42.2km)after he suffered a shoulder injury trained for two years to get the mobility back and finally made it to the event. For him, running down the finishing chute with the brilliant supporters cheering on, is just the best feeling ever! What does triathlon mean to you?

Triathlon is a way of life. The training means you have to stay focused and driven, even if you don’t feel like getting out of bed at 4am before work or go to the pool later in the evening. It’s a brilliant way to keep the weight down, stay fit and generally feel good about yourself. You have more energy and a positive outlook as a result. The social life and networking is great too and it’s a

very supportive and inclusive sport for people of all abilities.

What has kept you hooked to triathlons?

I did my first triathlon in the mid-90s as a step-up from marathon running. I felt I wanted a new challenge and entered the London Triathlon without knowing how to swim! I had about six months to learn and worked hard at it, but failed to put up a satisfactory performance, particularly in the swim part of the event. I was hooked though and stuck with it for a few years before personal circumstances took me away from the sport for what ended up being quite a long time.

What does your training involve?

A proper training regime is vital, whether 60

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you’re trying to win a race, beat a personal best time, qualify for the World Championships or even just complete the race distance. Fitting two sessions a day around work and home life is often difficult, but this is the reason for participating in a race or even just doing a triathlon! So as triathletes, we ensure we can do our training despite everything that life throws at us. I remember being inspired by Chef Gordon Ramsay, who obviously has a ridiculously busy life but still manages to fit in his marathon training….. he just gets up at 4am every day to do it! My weekly training schedule is anywhere from 9 -14 hours and usually consists of 3 swims sessions, 3 run sessions and 3 bike rides. There are also some general strength, conditioning and flexibility sessions to help keep injuries at bay and in my case, hold

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back the ageing process! All the sessions are designed to help build a mixture of speed, endurance and technique. They are intense enough to progress, but not so hard that you over-train and get ill or injured.

which has definitely helped to build stability in key areas and also to keep me relatively sane!

Any challenges that you might have faced?

Next up for me is Bahrain 70.3 in November, as long as I can stay fit and healthy of course. There are some really amazing triathletes here in Dubai, I’m certainly not one of them but I would like to put in a good showing in my age group. I did the event three years ago and enjoyed it tremendously so am very much looking forward to going back to see what I can do this time around. For next year, I plan to do a couple more 70.3 (half-Ironman) distance races and then maybe the following year have another go at the full distance Ironman. The training for that is such that it really calls for a big commitment so it’s not a decision to take lightly.

My biggest challenge comes from injuries which have dogged me for a long while .To say, it is frustrating would be a massive understatement especially as one of the keys to being progressively faster or stronger is consistent training, something I just don’t seem to be able to achieve. Trying to work through the problem has helped me to stay focussed during the long breaks away from full training. Over the past 14 months, I’ve been doing up to one and a half hours a day of strengthening and stretching exercises

Which events are you looking forward to?

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Any words of advice for readers contemplating Triathlon?

Triathlon is fun! It’s a sport that suits all abilities and by mixing three sports (running, cycling and swimming) into one, helps maintain a healthy lifestyle. Ironman is swimming 3.8km, then cycling 180km then running 42.2km. Honestly, if I can do it then anyone can, really. Give it a try and you’ll surprise yourself as to what you can achieve. You need some equipment to start out but don’t need to buy a fancy bike or spend a lot of money to enjoy the sport. Triathlon is inclusive, supportive and friendly, especially here in the UAE, so you’ll have all the help you need to get you going. We were all beginners once and definitely know how it feels to start out! The best thing to do is to get a coach who will build structure into your training, which will repay you in bucketloads. ■

How have triathlons impacted your personality?

Working very hard to reach a goal always gives me a great sense of satisfaction and often, the bigger the challenge, the bigger the sense of achievement you feel. Triathlon has helped me stay focussed and driven. There are a lot of hurdles in life and being involved in the sport has helped me to learn how not give up so you can overcome problems and take on a “can-do” attitude to things. Once you’ve done an Ironman, you feel like you can achieve just about anything.

You have been lucky enough to visit a few countries for Triathlons. How is UAE as a ground for triathlon? There are so many races around the world that I’d love to do but as is often the case, time and money are restrictive factors. However, I have raced in Sweden, Austria, South Africa, Vietnam, Indonesia, Bahrain, Italy, with Sri Lanka and Spain possibly on the list for 2018. The UAE has fantastic facilities for Triathlon and the sport is understandably quite popular here.

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Vol. 6, No. 4 April 2016

www.OutdoorUAE.com

Arabs with Altitude

Dive centre roundup

Meet the people who thrive on challenges for your biggest dose of inspiration yet

EDA Digital Online 2016

Making history on the seven summits

Yoga and raw cuisine in Ubud

Diving in the Damaniyats

Do The Maldives live up to their hype?

Action Against Poaching

Protecting Elephants and Rhinos in Mali

The Red Sea

The wonderful end to Will’s journey

Cycling in Iceland

Circumnavigating the stunning Land of Fire

Saving UAE Dolphins

Trekking in Bhutan

Thailand

Adventure above and below sea level

Surfing in Wadi Adventure

15 Things to Save the Waters! Learn to Kitesurf Splashdown

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Vol. 6, No. 8 August 2016 www.OutdoorUAE.com

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MIDDLE EAST’S OUTDOOR, ADVENTURE, TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

DECEMBER 2017 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

UAE DIRECTORY General Sports Equipment Megastores

Adventure HQ, Dubai Times Square Center, Sheikh Zayed Rd, toll free: 800-ADVENTURE, +971 43466824; The Beach on JBR, Dubai: +971 44304419; Dalma Mall, Abu Dhabi: +971 24456995, www.adventurehq.ae Decathlon, Dubai, Mirdif City Centre, +971 42839392, www.decathlon.com Go Sport, The Dubai Mall: +971 43253595; Abu Dhabi Mall: +971 26454595; Bawabat Al Sharq Mall, Abu Dhabi: +971 25868240; Yas Mall: +971 25650812; MOE: +971 4395 8951, www.go-sport.com Peiniger BMT Est., CBD, Khalifa Street, Yateem Optician Bldg., Abu Dhabi, UAE, +971 26262332, www.peiniger.org Sun and Sand Sports, most shopping centres, +971 43599905; Online store: +971 43149001; Retail store: +971 43504400, http://en-ae.sssports.com

Adventure tours and desert safaris

Alpha Tours, P.O. Box 25718, 27th Floor, Burlington Tower, Business Bay, Dubai, +971 47019111, www.alphatoursdubai.com Dadabhai Travel, SR 1&2, GF, Gulf Towers, Oud Metha Rd. Dubai, +971 43885566, www.dadabhaitravel.ae Desert Rangers, P.O. Box 33501, Dubai UAE, +971 44569944 or 507035111 www.desertrangers.com Desert Road Tourism, Office 503, 5th Flr., Al Khor Plaza, Dubai, +971 42959429, www.desertroadtours.com Dreamdays, First Floor Rm. 107 Ibn Battuta Gate (Offices) Sheikh Zayed Rd., Dubai +971 44329392 or 44329393, www.dreamdays.ae Dream Explorer LLC, JLT, Dubai, P.O. Box 214576, +971 44563390 www.dreamexplorerdubai.com Dubai Relax Travel, P.O. Box 37459, National Towers: Churchill Tower Suite #614, Business Bay, Dubai, +971 528996307, www.dubairelaxtours.com Explorer Tours, Umm Ramool, Dubai, +971 42861991, www.explorertours.ae Gulf for Good, P.O. Box 506006, 1/F, Building 4, Dubai International Humanitarian City, Dubai, +971 43680222, www.gulf4good.org Gulf Ventures, Dnata Travel Centre, +971 44045880, www.gulfventures.com MMI Travel LLC, Mezzanine Floor, Dnata Travel Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, +971 4 4045999, www.theemiratesgroup.com Net Group, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, +971 26794656, www.netgroupauh.com Oasis Palm Dubai, P.O. Box 181258 Dubai, Office 404, Royal Plaza Building Al Rigga Street, +971 42628889 or 42686826, www.opdubai.com Rahhalah, Shata Tower – 27th Floor, Office No. 2711, Media City, Dubai, +971 44472166, www.rahhalah.com Clubs Abu Dhabi Fishing, Camping, Kayaking, & Adventure Club, +971 5 04920860, mohammed.almahrouky@gmail.com

Air

Balloon Adventures Emirates, Office 123 Oasis Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, +971 43884044, www.ballooning.ae Dubai Paragliders, +971 552120155 or 552250193, www.microaviation.org Jazirah Aviation Club, Ras Al Khaimah, +971 72446416 or 555531318, www.jac-uae.net Seawings, Dubai,+971 48070708, www.seawings.ae Skydive Dubai, The Palm: Al Seyahi St, Dubai Marina, +971 43778888, www.skydivedubai.ae

Boating & Sailing

Manufacturer Al Fajer Marine, Dubai, Al Quoz, +971 43235181, www.alfajermarine.com Al Jeer Marina, RAK border Musandam, +971 72682333 or 504873185, www.aljeerport.ae Al Shaali Marine, Ajman, +971 67436443, www.alshaalimarine.com Al Yousuf Industrial, LLC, +971 4 3474111, www.aym.ae,

DUBAI The Dubai Mall

04-4341280

Mall of the Emirates 04-3478277 Mirdif City Centre

04-2843143

Dubai Outlet Mall

04-4264967

Ibn Battuta

04-3669777

ABU DHABI Al Wahda Mall

02-4437397

Dalma Mall

02-5507372

/ColumbiaME /ColumbiaSportswear_ME yamboats@alyousuf.com Elite Pearl Charter, P.O. Box 214173, Saeed Tower 1, office #3102, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, +971 43889666, www.elitepearlcharter.com Gulf Craft, P.O. Box 666, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Street, Ajman, +971 67406060, www.gulfcraftinc.com Distributors and Dealers Art Marine LLC, Al Quoz Industrial Area, Sheikh Zayed Road, 3rd Interchange +971 43388955, www.artmarine.ae or www.artmarinechandlery.com Azure Marine Dubai, +971 4 3706886, www.azuremarine.net Luxury Sea Boats, Showroom #8, The Curve Building, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, +971 4 3284629, www.luxuryseaboats.com Macky Marine LLC, Box 37594, Ground Floor, Marina Yatch Club, Office # 5, Dubai Marina, Jebel Ali, Dubai, +971 505518317, www.mackymarine.com Nautilus Yachts, Sharjah, +971 553419494 or 503419494, www.nautilusyachts.com The Boat House, P.O. Box 71628, Al Quoz, Dubai, +971 43405152, www.theboathouse.ae UAEBoats4Sale, Dubai Marina, +971 42932465, 567001801, www.uaeboats4sale.com Western Marine, P.O. Box 52938, Sheikh Zayed Road, Knotika Marine Mall, Dubai, +971 44327870 Equipment Ali Khalifah Moh Al Fuqaei, Ground Floor, Tara Hotel Building, Abdul Nasser Square Street, Dubai, +971 42263220 Al Masaood Marine, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, +971 43468000, www.masaoodmarine.com Blue Waters Marine, Shop 11, The Curve Bldg., Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, +971 43808616 or 553899995, www.bluewatersmarine.com Extreme Marine, Dubai Marina Branch, +971 43992995, www.extrememarine-me.com Japan Marine / D1 Marine, WS # 110, Dubai Maritime City, +971 4 4426395 or 55 1666035, www.japanmarine.co Rineh Emirates Trading LLC, Al Quoz, Dubai, www.rinehemiratesme.com, +971 43391512 Repairs and Maintenance Extreme Marine, Jebel Ali Branch, Jebel Ali, Industrial Area, P.O. Box 97705, Dubai, +971 48830777, www.extrememarine-me.com Rineh Emirates, Sheikha Sana Warehouse 1, Al Quoz, +971 43391512, SNS Marine, Dubai Creek & Yacht Club, Dubai, +971 501405058, www.snsmarine.ae The Boat House, P.O. Box 71628, Al Quoz, Dubai, +971 43405152, www.theboathouse.ae Cruise Operators Al Bateen Marina, Abu Dhabi, +971 26665491

Al Marsa Travel & Tourism, P.O. Box 32261, Sharjah, UAE, +971 65441232; Dibba, Musandam, Oman, +968 26836550 Bateaux Dubai, Dubai Creek opposite the British Embassy, +971 48145553 Bristol Middle East, Marina Heights Tower, Dubai Marina – Marina Walk,Dubai, +971 4368 2480, www.bristol-middleeast.com Captain Tony’s, Yas Marina, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, +971 26507175, www.captaintonys.ae Delma Industrial Supply and Marine Services, Al Bateen Jetty, Abu Dhabi, +971 26668153, www.delmamarine.net Eden Yachting, Dubai Marina, +971 43282930, 50 3716377, www.edenyachting.com Emirates Yatching, P.O. Box 8380, Dubai, +971 42826683 El Mundo, Dubai, +971 505517406, www.elmundodubai.com Four Star Travels and Tourism, Dubai, +971 561012599, www.4startravels.com 4 Yatch Chartering LLC, Toll Free: 800 YACHT (92248), Office #4, Dubai Marina Yatch Club, Dubai, www.4yachtchartering.ae Fujairah Rotana Resort & Spa, Al Aqah Beach, Fujairah, +971 92449888, www.rotana.com Ghantoot Marina & Resort, Abu Dhabi, +971 529933153, www.ghantootmarina.com Happy Days Sea Cruising LLC, Dubai, +971 48706668, www.happydaysdubai.com LY Catamaran, Bur Dubai, +971 566506683, www.lycatamaran.com Marine Concept, P.O. Box 282586, Office 611, Al Barsha Business Centre, Dubai, +971 43958022, 559603030 www.marine-charter-concept.com Nautica1992, Habtoor Grand Beach Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection, Dubai Marina, +971 504262415, www.nautica1992.ae Noukhada Adventure Company - P.O. Box 73373, C/O Ali & Sons Real Estate LLC, Plot No. 29, Abu Dhabi – Al Ain Rd, Um Al Nar, Abu Dhabi, UAE - +971 25581889 www.noukhada.ae RAK Marine LLC, Ras Al Khaimah City Hilton Marina, +971 72066410, 504912696, 507682345 Sea Hunters Passenger Yachts & Boats Rental, Dubai Marina, +971 42951011 Smoke Dragon of London Yacht, Abu Dhabi International Marine & Sports Club, +971 507011958 or 504546617 Summertime Marine Sports, Dubai, +971 42573084 The Club, Abu Dhabi, +971 26731111, www.the-club.com The Yellow Boats LLC, Dubai Marina Walk – opposite Spinneys, Intercontinental Hotel Marina, 800892, www.theyellowboats.com Marinas Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club, Abu Dhabi, Breakwater, +971 26815566, www.adimsc.com Abu Dhabi Marina, Abu Dhabi, Tourist Club Area, +971 26440300 Al Jeer Marina, RAK Border, Musandam +971 72682333 or 504873185, www.aljeerport.ae Al Wasl Charter & Fishing, Airport Road, Al Qwais Bldg., Off. 207, Dubai, UAE, +971 42394760 or 42959477, www.cruiseindubai.com Dubai Creek Marina, Deira, Dubai, +971 43801234, www.dubaigolf.com Dubai International Marine Sports Club, Dubai Marina, +971 43995777, www.dimc.ae Dubai Marina Yacht Club, Dubai, +971 43627900, www.dubaimarinayachtclub.com Dubai Maritime City Harbour Marina, Dubai, +971 43455545 Dubai Offshore Sailing Club, Dubai, +971 43941669, www.dosc.ae Emirates Palace Marina, Abu Dhabi, +971 26907725 Fujairah International Marine Club, Fujairah, +971 92221166, www.fimc.ae Intercontinental Abu Dhabi Marina, Al Bateen, Intercontinental Hotel, Abu Dhabi, +971 26666888, www.intercontinental.com Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa Marina, Jebel Ali, Dubai, +971 48145555 www.jebelali-international.com Pavilion Marina, Dubai, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, +971 44068800 Umm Al Quwaim Marine Sports Club, Umm Al Quwaim, +971 67666644, www.uaqmarineclub.com

Dragon Boat Groups Dubai Dawn Patrol Dragon Boating, Dubai, +971 508795645, www.facebook.com/DubaiDawnPatrol Dubai Diggers, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, pier next to 360, Dubai, +971 501547175, www.dubai-diggers.com UAE Dragon Boat Association, +971 507634008, www.dubaidragonboat.com

Camping & Hiking

Equipment Blingmytruck.com, +971 505548255, www.blingmytruck.com Gulf Camping, Dubai, UAE, +971 551222252 or 502550666, www.gulfcamping.com Jack Wolfskin, Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi, +971 24437802 Tresspass, 2nd floor above ice rink, The Dubai Mall, +971 43398801 Urban Peak, PO Box 9587, Office 502E, Ibn Battuta Gate Offices, Dubai, +971 44548805, www.urbanpeak.com Tour Operators Arabia Outdoors, Dubai, +971 559556209, www.arabiaoutdoors.com Absolute Adventure, Dubai, +971 43926463, www.adventure.ae Desert Road Tourism, Al Khor Plaza – 503, Dubai, +971 42959428, www.arabiatours.com Libra Travel & Tourism LLC, +971 43397700, www.facebook.com/ LibraTravelDubai Mountain High Middle East, Dubai, +971 506595536, www.mountainhighme.com Sheesa Beach, Musandam, Dibba, +971 50336046, www.sheesabeach.com

Caving

Mountain High Middle East, Dubai, +971 43480214, www.mountainhighme.com

Climbing

Equipment Adventure HQ, Sheikh Zayed Rd., Dubai Times Square Center, toll free: 800-ADVENTURE, www.adventurehq.ae Barracuda Fishing and Outdoor, Street 13A 1, Al Safa 1, Dubai, +971 43466558, www.barracudadubai.com Global Climbing Trading LLC, Dubai Investment Park 1, Dubai, +971 48829361, www.globalclimbing.com Jack Wolfskin, Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi +971 24437802, www.jack-wolfskin.com Services Absolute Adventure, Dubai, +971 43926463, www.adventure.ae Adventure HQ, Dubai Times Square Center, Sheikh Zayed Rd, toll free: 800-ADVENTURE, www.adventurehq.ae

OUTDOORUAE

MIDDLE EAST’S OUTDOOR, ADVENTURE, TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

Diving

Al Shaheen Adventure, Abu Dhabi, +971 28137444, www.alshaheenme.com Arabia Outdoors, Dubai, +971 559556209, www.arabiaoutdoors.com Dorell Sports Management, Dubai World Trade Centre, +971 43065061, www.climbingdubai.com E-Sports UAE, Dubai, +971 43697817, www.esportsuae.com The Club, Abu Dhabi, +971 26731111, www.the-club.com Information UAE Climbing, +971 506456491, www.uaeclimbing.com

Mountain Biking & Cycling

Equipment/Dealers Bikers JLT, Unit H6, Cluster H, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, UAE, +971 526221888 Cycle Sports, Shop No. 1, Al Waleed Bldg., Al Barsha 1, Dubai, +971 43415415, Fun Ride Sports, 301, 3rd floor, Mushrif Mall, Abu Dhabi, Rm. 4, Mezzanine floor, C-13 Bldg., Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi, +971 24455838, www.funridesports.com Micah’s Bike Shop, Warehouse No.4 6th St. Al Quoz 3, Dubai, +971 43805228 Probike, Dubai, Al Barsha 1, +971 43255705, www.probike.ae Rage Shop, Al Ghurair Centre: +971 4294 8634; MOE: +971 43413388; Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi: +971 24437617, Dubai Mall: +971 44341549, www.rage-shop.com Revolution Cycles, Shop G05, Apex Atrium, Motor City, Dubai, +971 43697441, www.rcdxb.com Ride Bike Shop, Sheikh Zayed Road: +971 43395602; Mirdif City Centre: +971 42840038; Al Seef Village Mall, Abu Dhabi: +971 26337172, www.ridebikeshop.com Sportz Unlimited, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, + 971 43388644 or 43391333 Tamreen Sports LLC, Khalifa Street, Abu Dhabi, +971 26222525, www.tamreensports.com The Cycle Hub, Motor City, Dubai, +971 505528872 or 44256555, www.thecyclehub.com Trek Bicycle Store, Seih Al Salam, Al Qudra Road, Dubai, +971 48327377; Shop #5, Reemas Building Al Quoz 1, Exit 46/47, Sheikh Zayed Road Dubai, +971 43211132, www.trekbikes.ae Trikke UPT, P.O. Box 53527, Dubai, + 971 43434499; P.O. Box 33869, Abu Dhabi, +971 26333377, www.trikkeme.net Wolfi’s Bike Shop, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, +971 43394453, www.wbs.ae Operator Absolute Adventure, Dubai, +971 43926463, www.adventure.ae, info@adventure.ae Clubs Abu Dhabi Tri Club, www.abudhabitriclub.com Cycle Safe Dubai, Dubai Autodrome www.cyclechallenge.ae Dubai Roadsters, +971 43394453, www.dubairoadsters.com

OUTDOORUAE

Equipment Al Boom Marine, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, +971 42894858, www.alboommarine.com Al Hamur Marine and Sports Equipment, Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai, +971 43444468 Al Masaood Marine, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, +971 43468000, www.masaoodmarine.com Al Yousuf Motors, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, +971 43390621, www.aym.ae/yamaha Blue Waters Marine, +971 43808616, Dubai, www.bluewatersmarine.com Gulf Marine Sports, Abu Dhabi, +971 26710017, www.gulfmarinesports.com Premiers for Equipment, Sheikh Zayed 1st. Road, Abu Dhabi, +971 26665226, www.premiers-uae.com Dive Shop.ae, Building #123, Street 26, Area 369, Al Quoz Industrial Area 4, Dubai, +971 43414940, www.diveshop.ae Scuba 2000, Al Bidiya Beach, Fujairah, +971 92388477, www.scuba-2000.com Diving Centres Al Boom Diving (equipment), Dubai, Al Wasl Rd, +971 43422993, www.alboomdiving.com Al Jeer Marina, RAK Border, Musandam, +971 72682333, www.aljeerport.ae Al Mahara Dive Center, near Muroor St. across from main bus terminal, +971 26437377, info@divemahara.com, www.divemahara.com Arabian Diver, Hilton Marine, Ras Al Khaimah, +971 72226628 or 502428128 www.arabiandiver.com Arabian Divers and Sportfishing Charters, Al Bateen Marina Resort, Abu Dhabi, +971 506146931, www.fishabudhabi.com Coastal Technical Divers, glenn@coastaltechnicaldivers.com, www.coastaltechnicaldivers.com Deep Blue Sea Diving, International City, Dubai, +971 44308246, www.diveindubai.com Desert Islands, Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE, +971 28015454, www.divemahara.com Divers Down, +971 559888687, Dubai; Fujairah, Rotana Al Aqah Hotel Resort & Spa, +971 92370299, www.diversdownuae.com Emirates Divers Centre, Abu Dhabi, near Meena Fish Market, +97126432444, www.edc-ad.ae Freediving UAE, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, +971 506130486 contactus@freedivinguae.com, www.freedivinguae.com Freestyle Divers, Al Corniche Street, Dibba, Fujairah, +971 504514259, www.freestyledivers.me Fujairah Rotana Resort & Spa - Al Aqah Beach, Al Aqah Beach, Fujairah, +971 92449888, www.rotana.com Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, Dibba Road, Fujairah, +971 92449000, www.lemeridien-alaqah.com Neptune Diving, +971 504347902, www.neptunedivingcentre.com Pavilion Dive Centre (equipment), Dubai, +971 44068828 Scuba 2000, Al Bidiya Beach, Fujairah, +971 92388477, www.scuba-2000.com Scuba UAE.com, +971 502053922, www.scubauae.com 7 Seas Diving Center, Khorfakkan, +971 92387400, www.7seasdivers.com Sharjah Wanderers Dive Club, Sharjah, +971 506683430, www.bsac406.com Sheesa Beach, Dibba, Musandam, +971 503336046, www.sheesabeach.com Sky & Sea Adventures, Dubai, Hilton, Jumeirah Beach Road, +971 43999005, www.watersportsdubai.com Clubs Atlantis Underwater Photography Club, Dubai, +971 44263000 Desert Sports Diving Club, Dubai, www.desertsportsdivingclub.net Emirates Diving Association, Diving Village, Al Shindagha, Dubai, +971 43939390, www.emiratesdiving.com Filipino SCUBA Divers Club (FSDC), Dubai, UAE, +971 566952421, www.facebook.com/FSDCuae Freediving UAE, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, contactus@freedivinguae.com, www.freedivinguae.com Sharjah Wanderers Dive Club, Sharjah, +971 507840830, www.bsac406.com

DECEMBER 2017 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

Fishing & Kayaking

Equipment Al Boom Marine, Abu Dhabi & Dubai, +971 42894858, www.alboommarine.com Al Hamur Marine and Sports Equipment, Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai, +971 43444468 Al Masaood Marine, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, +971 43468000, www.masaoodmarine.com Al Yousuf Motors, Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Rd, +971 43390000, www.aym.ae/yamaha Arabian Divers and Sportfishing Charters, Al Bateen Marina Resort, Abu Dhabi, +971 506146931, www.fishabudhabi.com Barracuda Fishing and Outdoor, Dubai, Street 13A 1, Al Safa 1, +971 43466558, www.barracudadubai.com Blue Waters Marine, Shop 11, The Curve Bldg., Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, +971 43808616 or 553899995, www.bluewatersmarine.com Challenging Adventure, Wadi Al Bih Ras Al Khaimah, +971 561060798 or 44538386, contactus@challengingadventure.com Global Climbing Trading LLC, Dubai Investment Park 1, Dubai, +971 48829361, www.globalclimbing.com Ocean Active, Dubai, Garden Centre, +971 502898713, www.oceanactive.com Operators Absolute Adventure, Dubai, +971 43926463, www.adventure.ae Al Boom Diving, Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, Fujairah, +971 43422993 Al Hamra Marina and Yacht Club, Al Hamra, Ras Al Khaimah, +971 72432274, www.alhamramarina.com Al Mahara Dive Center, Downtown Abu Dhabi, +971 501118125, www.divemahara.com Al Wasl Charter & Fishing, Airport Road, Al Qwais Bldg., Off. 207, Dubai, UAE, +971 42394760 or 42959477, www.cruiseindubai.com Al Shaheen Adventure, Abu Dhabi, +971 26429995, www.alshaheenme.com Al Wasl Charter & Fishing (Al Wasl Passenger Yachts and Boats Rental LLC), Airport Road, Al Owais Building, Dubai, +971 42394761, www.cruiseindubai.com Arabian Divers and Sportfishing Charters, Al Bateen Marina Resort, +971 506146931, www.fishabudhabi.com Arabia Outdoors, Dubai, +971 559556209, www.arabiaoutdoors.com Barracuda Diving Centre, Fujairah International Marine Club, +971 503366224 Belevari Marine, Abu Dhabi, +971 26594144 Captain Tony’s, Yas Marina, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, +971 26507175, www.captaintonys.ae Fun Beach Water Sports, Dubai, +971 507050433 or 506947764, www.seaworlddsf.com Happy Days Sea Cruising LLC, Dubai, +971 48706668, 503960202, www.happydaysdubai.com Hiltonia Beach Club, Hilton Abu Dhabi Hotel, Abu Dhabi, +971 26811900 Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, Dibba Road, Fujairah, +971 92449000, www.lemeridien-alaqah.com Nautica 1992, Dubai, +971 504262415, www.nautica1992.ae Noukhada Adventure Company, Villa 332/7, Al Meena Street, Abu Dhabi, +971 25581889, www.noukhada.ae Ocean Active, +971 504592259, www.oceanactive.com Sheesa Beach, Dibba, Musandam, +971 503336046, www.sheesabeach.com Soolyman Sport Fishing, Umm Suquiem, Fishing Port No. 2, Jumeirah Beach, +971 508866227, 508866228 or 503402379, www.soolymansportfishing.com Summertime Marine Sports, Dubai, +971 42573084, www.summertimemarine.com Xclusive Yachts, Dubai, Dubai Marina, +971 44327233, www.xclusiveyachts.com Clubs Abu Dhabi Camping, Fishing & Kayaking Club, mohamed.almahrouky@gmail.com Dubai Surfski & Kayak Club, Kitesurfers’ Beach, Umm Suqeim 1, Dubai, +971 554986280, www.dskc.hu

General Sports Equipment Distributors

Adventure HQ, Dubai Times Square Center, Sheikh Zayed Rd, Toll free: 800-ADVENTURE, www.adventurehq.ae

Al Yousuf Motors, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, +971 43390621, www.aym.ae/yamaha 800 Sport, Al Quoz, Dubai +971 43467751, www.800sport.ae Flip Flop Arabia, +971 556881793, 501084010, www.flipfloparabia.com Global Climbing Trading LLC, Dubai Investment Park 1, Dubai +971 48829361, www.globalclimbing.com Highbury Trading FZE LLC, P.O. Box 16111, RAK Free Trade Zone Authority, Ras Al Khaima, +971 526799506, www.highburytrade.com Jack Wolfskin, Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi, +971 24437802 Ocean Sports FZE, +971 559352735, www.kitesurfsup.com Picnico General Trading, near Sharaf DG Metro Station, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, +971 43951113 Portable Shade UAE, Jebel Ali, Dubai, UAE, +971 508897125, www.portable-shade.net Sport in Life Distribution, Nad Al Hammar Rd., Ras Al Khor, Dubai, UAE, +971 42896001 or 42896002, info@sportinlife.ae, www.sportinlife.ae Tresspass, The Dubai Mall 2nd floor above ice rink, +971 43398801

Horse Riding

Equipment Al Asifa Horse Equestrian Equipment & Requisites Trading P.O. Box 77282, AL Khawanij 1st , Dubai, +971 554733110, www.asifa.ae Black Horse LLC, Baniyas West, Near Empost Abu Dhabhi, +971 25866205, www.blackhorseuae.com Bonjour Equestrian Supplies, Nad Al Hammar Rd., Ras Al Kho, Dubai, UAE, +971 42896001, +971 42896002, info@bonjourequestrian.com, www.bonjourequestrian.com Cavalos Equine Care and Supplies, 16th Street, Al Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi, +917 22222433, www.cavalosuae.com Emirta Horse Requirement Centre, Sheik Zayed Rd., Dubai, +971 43437475, www.emirtahorse.com Equestrian Clubs/Centres Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Al Mushrif, Abu Dhabi, +971 24455500, www.adec-web.com Al Ahli Riding School, Al Amman Street, Dubai-Sharjah Rd., +971 42988408, www.alahliclub.info Al Forsan International Sports Resort, Abu Dhabi, +971 25568555, www.alforsan.com Al Jiyad Stables, Behind Dubai International Endurance City, Dubai, +971 505995866, info@aljiyad.com, www.aljiyad.com Al Sahra Desert Resort Equestrian Centre, Dubai, +971 44274055, equestrian.centre@alsahra.com Desert Equestrian Club, Mirdif, Dubai, +971 503099770 or 501978888 Desert Palm Riding School, Near Al Awir Road (going to Hatta-Oman), Dubai, +971 43238010, www.dubaipoloclub.com Dubai Polo Academy, Dubai, +971 508879847, www.dubaipoloacademy.com Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, Dubai, Arabian Ranches, +971 43618111, www.poloclubdubai.com Emirates Equestrian Centre, Dubai, +971 505587656, www.emiratesequestriancentre.com Ghantoot Polo & Racing Club, Exit 399, Abu Dhabi/ Dubai Highway, Abu Dhabi, +971 25629050, www.grpc.ae Golden Stables Equestrian Club, Al Khawaneej, Dubai, (Nouri) +971 555528182 Hoofbeatz, located just inside the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, Dubai, +971 569424551, www.hoofbeatz.com Mushrif Equestrian and Polo Club, Mushrif Park, Al Khawaneej Road, Dubai, +971 42571256, www.mushrifec.com Rahal Ranch, Al Wathba Racing Area, Abu Dhabi, +971 565066741, www.rahalranch.com Riding for the Disabled, Dubai, lessons@rdad.ae, www.rdad.ae, Sharjah Equestrian & Racing Club, Sharjah, Al Dhaid Road, +971 65311188, www.serc.ae

MIDDLE EAST’S OUTDOOR, ADVENTURE, TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE Racecourses Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Al Mushrif, Abu Dhabi, +971 24455500, www.adec-web.com Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, Exit 399, Abu Dhabi/ Dubai Highway, Abu Dhabi, +971 25629050, www.grpc.ae Jebel Ali Racecourse, off the main Abu Dhabi - Dubai Highway (Sheikh Zayed road) beside the Emirates Golf Club, Dubai, +971 43474914 Meydan Grandstand and Racecourse, Al Meydan Road, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, +971 43270000, www.meydan.ae Sharjah Racecourse, Al Dhaid Road, Sharjah, +971 65311155, www.serc.ae

Jet Ski Dealers

Al Masaood Marine, Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, +971 43468000, www.masaoodmarine.com Al Yousuf Motors, Sheikh Zayed Rd., Dubai, +971 43390621, www.aym.ae/yamaha Japan Marine General Trading, Al Garhoud Road, Liberty Building, Dubai, +971 44426395, uday@japanmarine.jp, www.japanmarine.co Liberty Kawasaki, Interchange 4, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, Direct: +971 45019442, 45019412 or 43419341, www.libertykawasaki.com

Motocross & ATV’s

Dealers Al Badayer Rental (Rental), Dubai-Hatta Road, +971 68861161 or 507842020, www.albadayerrental.com Al Shaali Moto, Ras Al Khor, +971 43200009, www.alshaalimoto.com Al Yousuf Motors, Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Rd, +971 43390621, www.aym.ae/yamaha Golden Desert Motorcycles, P.O. Box 47912, E-44 Hatta road, Al Badayer Madam, Sharjah, +971 529484616 or 505 033 800 KTM, Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, exit 42, +971 43468999, www.ktm.com Liberty Kawasaki, Interchange 4, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, Direct: +971 45019442, 45019412 or 43419341, www.libertykawasaki.com Motoventure, Hobbies Club, Al Awir, Hatta Road, Dubai, +971 555437392, www.motoventure.net Elite Dune Off Road Motorcycles Rental L.L.C. (MXDUBAI / Just Gas It), Falcon Oasis Desert Safari Camp, Al Awir, Dubai info@mxdubai.com / enquiries@justgasit.net +971 552622707 / 552621377 Polaris UAE (atv’s), Ras Al Khor, Nad al Hamar Road, Al Ghandi Complex, Dubai, +971 42896100, M4, Sector 13, 10th Street, Mussafah Industrial, Abu Dhabi, +971 26441478, www.polarisuae.com Sebsports, Al Quoz Industrial Area 1 Dubai, +971 43393399, www.sebsports.com Equipment Sandstorm Motorcycles (Rental), Al Quoz, Dubai, +971 43395608, Sebsports, Dubai, Al Quoz Industrial Area 3, +971 43393399, www.sebsports.com 2XWheeler, Motorcity Dubai, +971 44548388, www.2xwheeler.com

Motorcycling

Distributors and Dealers Al Yousuf Motors, Sheikh Zayed Rd., Dubai, +971 43390621, www.aym.ae/yamaha Ducati, Al Salam Street, Abu Dhabi, +971 24918593, www.ducati.ae Duseja General Trading Co. LLC, Warehouse No: B3, Alquoz Ind Area #3, Umm Suqeim Road next to Max Garage

Diagonally opposite Lulu Hypermarket Al Barsha, +971 43476712, www.dusejamoto.com Harley-Davidson, Mussafah 4, Street 10, Abu Dhabi, +971 25540667, hd.auh@harley-davidson.ae, www.harley-davidson-abu-dhabi.com Liberty Kawasaki, Interchange4, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, Direct: +971 45019442, 45019412 or 43419341, www.libertykawasaki.com Polaris UAE, Al Ghandi Complex, Nad al Hamar Road, Ras Al Khor, +971 42896100, www.polarisuae.com Tristar Motorcycles, Al Awir Road, Nr Oman Transport, +971 43330659, www.tristaruae.com Workshops and Services Al Forsan International Sports Resort, Abu Dhabi, +971 25568555, www.alforsan.com Dubai Autodrome, Dubai, +971 43678700,www.dubaiautodrome.com Emirates Motorplex, Umm Al Quwain, +971 67681166 2xWheeler Adventures, Dubai, +971 44548388, www.alainraceway.com Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, 800 YAS (927) or +971 26599800, www.yasmarinacircuit.com

Off-Road

Dealers Bling My Truck, +971 503634839 or 505548255, info@blingmytruck.com, www.blingmytruck.com 4x4 Motors LLC, Shk. Zayed Rd, Dubai, +971 43384866, www.4x4motors.com Liberty Automobiles, Dubai, 800 5423789, www.libertyautos.com Repairs and Services AAA Service Centre, Al Quoz, Dubai, UAE, +971 4 2858989, www.aaadubai.com Icon Auto Garage, Dubai, +971 43382744, www.icon-auto.com Mebar Auto, Al Quoz, Industrial Area 2, Dubai, UAE, +971 43469600, www.mebarauto.com Off Road Zone, Dubai, Al Quoz, +971 43392449, www.offroad-zone.com Saluki Motorsport, Dubai, +971 43476939 www.salukimotorsport.com Equipment Advanced Expedition Vehicles,

DECEMBER 2017 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

Dubai & Abu Dhabi, +971 43307152, www.aev.ae Al Yousuf Motors, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, +971 43390621, www.aym.ae/yamaha ARB Emirates 4x4 Accessories, Dubai International City, +971 4 4327190 & Musaffah, Abu Dhabi, +971 2 5553600 www.arbemirates.com Bling My Truck, +971 503634839 or 505548255, www.blingmytruck.com Heartland UAE, Al Mafraq Industrial, Abu Dhabi, +971 569796524 or 506472447, www.heartlanduae.com Icon Auto Garage, Dubai, +971 43382744, www.icon-auto.com Mebar Auto, Al Quoz, Industrial Area 2, Dubai, UAE, +971 4 3469600, www.mebarauto.com Wild X Adventure Shop, Dubai-Hatta Road, Dubai, +971 48321050, Yellow Hat, Nad Al Hamar, and Times Square Center, Dubai, +971 42898060, www.yellowhat.ae Tour Operators Arabian Adventures, Dubai & Abu Dhabi, +971 43034888, www.arabian-adventures.com Desert Road Tourism, Al Khor Plaza – 503, Dubai, +971 42959429, www.desertroadtours.com Oasis Palm Dubai, Dubai, +971 4 2628832 or 4 2686826, www.opdubai.com Clubs Abu Dhabi Off- Road Club, www.ad4x4.com ALMOST 4x4 Off-Road Club, +971 507665522, www.almost4x4.com Dubai Offroaders, www.dubaioffroaders. com JEEP Wrangler JK Fun Club, suffian.omar@yahoo.com, www.jk-funclub.com ME 4X4, www.me4x4.com

Running

Clubs ABRasAC, Dubai, www.abrasac.org Abu Dhabi Tri Club, Abu Dhabi, www.abudhabitriclub.org Abu Dhabi Striders, admin@abudhabistriders.com, www.abudhabistriders.com Al Ain Road Runners, Abu Dhabi, +971 504188978, alainroadrunners@yahoo.co.uk Mirdif Milers, Dubai, www.mirdifmilers.info Dubai Creek Striders www.dubaicreekstriders.org Desert Road Runners www.desertroadrunners.club

Stand up Paddling, Kite & Surfing, Wakeboarding

Equipment Al Boom Marine, Abu Dhabi & Dubai, +971 42894858, www.alboommarine.com Al Masaood Marine, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, +971 43468000, www.masaoodmarine.com Kitesurf Dubai, Kitesurf Beach, Umm Suqueim and Jumeirah 3 +971 505586190, www.kitesurfdubai.ae Picnico, Al Fairdooni Building, Sheikh Zayed Road, Near Sharaf DG Metro Station and Mall of Emirates, +971 43951113 Surf Dubai, Umm Suqeim, Dubai, +971 505043020, www.surfingdubai.com Surf Shop Arabia, Building 1, Al Manara Road (East), Interchange 3, Dubai, +971 564716180, www.surfshoparabia.com Surf School Arabia, +971 556010997, www.surfschoolarabia.com UAE Kite Surfing, +971 505626383, www.ad-kitesurfing.net Distributors Kitepeople Kite & Surf Store,

International City, Dubai, +971 504559098, www.kitepeople.ae Ocean Sports FZE, +971 559352735, www.kitesurfsup.com Operators Al Forsan International Sports Resort, Abu Dhabi, +971 25568555, www.alforsan.com Dubai Kite Surf School, Umm Suqeim Beach, Dubai, +971 504965107, www.dubaikitesurfschool.com Duco Maritime, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi, +971 508703427, www.ducomaritime.com Dukite, Kitesurf Beach, Umm Suqeim, Dubai,+971 507586992, www.dukite.com Kite Fly, Dubai, +971 502547440, www.kitesurf.ae Kitepro Abu Dhabi, Yas Island and Al Dabbayyah, Abu Dhabi, +971 505441494, www.kitepro.ae Nautica1992, Dubai, +971 504262415, www.nautica1992.ae Shamal Kite Surfing, Umm Suqueim Dubai, +971 507689226, www.shamalkitesurfing.com Sky & Sea Adventures, Dubai, Hilton, Jumeirah Beach Road, +971 43999005, www.watersportsdubai.com Surf School UAE, Umm Suqeim Beach and Building 1, Al Manara Road (East), Interchange 3, Dubai, +971 43791998, www.surfschooluae.com Watercooled, Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa, Dubai, +971 48876771, www.watercooleddubai.com Water Cooled, Watercooled Sports Services LLC, Hilton Beach Club, Abu Dhabi, +971 26395997, www.watercooleduae.com Clubs Abu Dhabi Stand Up Paddle, www.abudhabisup.com UAE SUP and Surf Association, +971 26665588, www.ridersuae.com

Water Parks

Aquaventure Atlantis, Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, +971 44260000, www. atlantisthepalm.com Dreamland Aqua Park, Umm Al Quwain, Emirates Road, +971 67681888, www.dreamlanduae.com Wadi Adventure, Jebel Hafeet, Al Ain, +971 37818422, www.wadiadventure.ae Wild Wadi Water Park, Dubai, +971 43484444, www.wildwadi.com

Other leisure activities

Abu Dhabi Golf Club, P.O. Box 51234, Sas Al Nakhl, Abu Dhabi, +971 28853555, www.adgolfclub.com Al Tamimi Stables, Sharjah, +971 67431122 or 44370505, www.tamimistables.com Blokart Sailing, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, +971 556101841, www.blokartme.com Children’s City, Creek Park Gate No.1, Dubai, +971 43340808, www.childrencity.ae Dolphin Bay Atlantis, Dubai, +971 44262000, www.atlantisthepalm.com Dubai Dolphinarium Dubai, Creek Park Gate No. 1, +971 43369773, www.dubaidolphinarium.ae iFly Dubai, Dubai, Mirdif City Centre, +971 42316292, www.iflyme.com Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, +971 25578000, www.sbgolfclub.ae Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club, Sharjah, +971 65487777, www.golfandshootingshj.com SkiDubai, Dubai, Mall of the Emirates, +971 44094000, www.skidxb.com Spacewalk Indoor Skydiving, Abu Dhabi, +971 26577601, adcountryclub.com/ spacewalk/about-spacewalk/

Health, Safety & Training

Safety Lessons Marine Concept Yacht Charter & Sea School, Rania Business Centre, Dubai, +971 559603030, www.marine-charter-concept.com Sport and Health Centres Bespoke Wellness, Dubai, +971 553724670, www.bespoke-wellness.com

OUTDOORUAE

MIDDLE EAST’S OUTDOOR, ADVENTURE, TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

DECEMBER 2017 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

Original Fitness Co., C6 Tower Al Bateen Bainunah St, Abu Dhabi, +971 2406 9404; P.O. Box 126469, Office 508 The Fairmont

Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, +971 43116571 www.originalfitnessco.com Orthosports Medical Centre, 5B Street,

Jumeira Beach road, Dubai, 800 ORTHO (67846), www.orthosp.com The Physio Center, Suite 405, Building 49,

Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai, +971 44370570, www.physiocentre.ae

OMAN DIRECTORY

Al Sawadi Beach Resort, P.O. Box 747, Barka - Al Sawadi, Oman, +968 26795545, www.alsawadibeach.info Diving UAE & Oman, www.dive-uae-oman.com Euro Divers CAYC Oman, Marina Bandar Al Rhowda, P.O. Box 940, Muscat, Oman, +968 97899094, www.euro-divers.com Extra Divers Musandam, PO Box 498, PC 811 Khasab, Musandam, Oman, +968 99877957, www.musandam-diving.com Global Scuba LLC, +968 24692346, www.global-scuba.com Khasab Musandam Travel & Tours, P.O. Box 786, PC No. 811, Khasab, Musandam, Sultanate of Oman, +968 91713449, info@tourkhasab.com Al Mouj Marina, Muscat, Oman, +968 24534554, www.almoujmarina.com Moon Light Dive Center, P.O. Box 65, Madinat Qaboos, Muscat Oman, +968 99317700, www.moonlightdive.com Nomad Ocean Adventures, +968 26836069, Dibba, Oman; Fujairah, +971 508918207, www.discovernomad.com Diving Centres Euro-divers Marina Bandar Al Rowdha, P.O. Box 940, Postal Code 100 Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, +968 98194444, www.euro-divers.com Extra Divers Zighy Bay, Oman, Musandam, +968 26735555, www.extradivers.info

Moonlight Dive Center, Near Grand Hyatt Muscat, Shati Al Qurum, Oman, +968 99317700, www.moonlightdive.com Oman Dive Center, Muscat, Oman, +968 24284240, www.omandivecenter.com Oman Dive Center Resort, P.O. Box 199, Medinat Sultan Qaboos, Oman, +968 24824240, www.omandivecenter.info Omanta Scuba Diving Academy, Al Kharjiya Street, Al Shati Area, Muscat, Oman, +968 99777045, www.omantascuba.com Oxygen Diving and Adventures, P.O. Box 1363 PC130 Alazaiba, Muscat, Oman, +968 92537494 or 9723 2661, www.o2diveoman.com Scuba Oman, Oman, +968 99558488, www.scubaoman.com Seaoman, P.O. Box 2394, RUWI PC 112, Oman, +968 24181400, www.seaoman.com

Camping & Hiking

Stand Up Paddeling, Kite & Surfing, Wakeboarding

Boating & Sailing

Equipment, Operators Kiteboarding Oman, Sawadi Beach, P.O. Box: 133, PC 118, Muscat, Oman, +968 96323524, www.kiteboarding-oman.com Oman’s Kite Center, +968 94006007, www.kitesurfing-lessons.com

Manufacturer Saphire Marine, PO Box: 11, Post Code 118, Muscat, Oman, +968 24568887, 24566566, 24561619 or 24568881, www.sapphire-marine.com Marinas Marina Bandar Al Rowdha, Muscat, Oman, +968 24737286 (ext 215), www.marinaoman.net

Clubs

Horse Riding

Fishing & Kayaking

Adventure tours and desert safaris

Bike and Hike Oman, P.O. Box 833, Ruwi, Postal Code 112, Oman, +968 24400873, www.bikeandhikeoman.com Dolphin Qasab Tours, P.O. Box 123, P.C. 811, Khasab City, Musandam, Oman, +968 26730813, www.dolphinkhasabtours.com Go Dive Oman, Marina Bander Al Rowdha Dive Center, +968 9548 3813 or 98194444, www.godiveoman.com Khour Shem Tourism, Oman, +968 91713449, www.khourshemtours.com Nomad Tours, PO Box 583, Postal Code 100, Muscat, Oman, +968 95495240, www.nomadtours.com Oman Trekking Guides, PO Box 917, NIZWA, Oman, +968 95741441, http://omantrekkingguides.tumblr.com Cruise Operators Sheesa Beach, Dibba, Musandam, +968 26836551, www.sheesabeach.com

Diving

Equipment Al Marsa Musandam, PO Box 44, Dibba, Sultanate of Oman, +968 26836550; UAE: +971 502124100, www.almarsamusandam.com

QATAR DIRECTORY Adventure tours and desert safaris

Al Mulla Travels, P.O. Box 4147, Doha, Qatar, +974 44413488, almullatrvls@qatar.net.qa Alpha Tours, P.O. Box 13530, Doha, Qatar, +974 4344499, info@alphatoursqatar.com Al QAYED Travel & Tours, PO Box: 158, Doha, Qatar, +974 44072244, www.alqayedtravel.com Arabian Adventures, PO Box 4476, Doha, Qatar, +974 44361461, www.arabianadventureqatar.net Black Pearls Tourism Services, P.O. Box: 45677, Doha, Qatar, +974 44357333 E2E Qatar Travel and Tours, PO Box 23563, Doha, Qatar, +974 44516688 or 444515995, www.e2eqatar.com Falcon Travels, PO Box 22031, Doha, Qatar, +974 44354777, www.falcontravelqatar.com Gulf Adventures Tourism LLC, P.O. Box 18180, 29 Aspire Zone Street, Aspire Zone Al Ryyan City, State of Qatar Switchboard: +974 44221888, www.gulf-adventures.com Net Tours Qatar, P.O. Box 23080, Doha, Qatar, +974 4310902, www.nettours.com.qa Regency Travel & Tours, +974 44344444, www.regencyholidays.com Qatar Adventure, P.O. Box 13915, Doha, Qatar, +974 55694561, www.qataradventure.com Qatar Inbound Tours, P.O. Box 21153, +974 77451196, www.inboundtoursqatar.com Qatar International Tours, P.O. Box 55733 Doha, Qatar, +974 44551141, www.qittour.com Qatar Ventures, Barwa Village Bulding #12 Shop #33, Doha, Qatar, +974 55776679, www.qatar-ventures.com

Cycling, Running & Triathlon Qatar Chain Reaction, www.qatarchainreaction.weebly.com Qatar Sandstromers, +974 77775207 or 77776634, www.facebook.com/ QatarSandstormers Velostar Doha, https://www.facebook.com/ groups/587539064642288/ Doha Bay Running Club, www.dohabayrunningclub.com TriClub Doha, www.triclubdoha.com

General Sports Equipment Megastores

Galaxy Sport, City Centre Mall, 3rd Floor, Qatar: +974 44822194; Villagio Mall, Qatar: +974 44569143; Ezdan Mall, Qatar: +974 44922827, The Pearl(Parcel 9) +974 40027513, Souq Jabor +974 44430322. Office: +974 44417935, www.galaxysportqatar.com GO Sport Qatar, City Centre Mall, 3rd Floor, +974 44631644; Villaggio Mall, +974 44157463, www.facebook.com/gosport.qatar Sun & Sand Sports Qatar, City Centre Mall, +974 44837007; Dar Al Salam Mall, +974 44510179; Mustafawi Exhibition, +974 44935183, en-ae.sssports.com

Boating & Sailing

Equipment Regatta Sailing Academy, Katara Beach +974 55503484 www.regattasailingacademy.com Distributors and Dealers Speed Marine, Speed Marine, Museum Road, P.O. Box 9145 Doha, Qatar, +974 44410109, www.speedmarinegroup.com Marinas Four Seasons Marina, Doha, Qatar, +974 44948899, www.mourjanmarinas.com Lusail Marina, Lusail City, Qatar, +974 55843282, www.mourjan-lusailmarina.com The Pearl–Qatar Marinas, Doha, Qatar, +974 44953894, www.ronauticame.com

Add your free listing to the 66

OUTDOORUAE

Equestrian Clubs/Centres Al Shaqab, P.O. Box 90055, Doha, Qatar, +974 44546320, www.alshaqab.com Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club, Racing and Equestrian Club, P.O. Box 7559, Doha, Qatar, +974 44197704, www.qrec.gov.qa

Diving

Equipment/Centres Al Fardan Marine Services, Najma Street (near Al Fardan Exchange), Doha, Qatar, +974 44435626 Doha Sub Aqua Club, Doha Sub-Aqua Club, PO Box: 5048, Doha, Qatar, +974 50483794, www.dohasubaquaclub.com Extreme Adventure, P.O. Box 33002, Shop 3, 4 Ahmed Bin Ali Street (Bin Omran), Doha, Qatar, +974 44877884, www.extreme.qa GoSport, City Centre Mall, 3rd Floor, Qatar: +974 44631644; Villagio Mall, Qatar: +974 44517574, www.facebook.com/gosport.qatar Pearl Divers, P.O. Box 2489, Doha, Qatar, +974 44449553, www.pearl-divers.org Poseidon Dive Center, P.O. Box: 11538, Ras Abu Abboud Street, Al Emadi Suites, Showroom #2, Doha, Qatar +974 66084040, www.pdcqatar.com Qatar Scuba Center, 187 Al Mansoura Street, Al Mansoura Area, Doha, Qatar, +974 66662277, www.qatarscubacenter.com Q-Dive Marine Centre, Souq Al Najada cnr of Grand Hamad and Ali bin Abdulla Street; +974 55319507 or 4375065, www.qdive.net World Marine Centre, PO Box 6944, Doha, Qatar, +974 44360989, www.worldmarinecenter.webs.com Qatar Divers, Marriott Hotel Marina Near Old Airport, Ras Abu Aboud Area, Doha, Qatar, +974 55246651, 40405156, www.qatardivers.com Qatar Marine, Go Sport City Center West Bay, P.O. Box 16657, Doha, +974 55319507, www.qatarmarine.net Qatar Scuba Centre, 187 Al Mansoura Street, Al Mansoura Area, Doha, Qatar, +974 66662277 or 44422234, www.qatarscubacenter.com

Tour Operators Safari Desert Camp, P.O. Box 117, Postal Code 421, Bediyah, Ghabbi, Oman, +968 99310108, www.safaridesert.com

Caving

Muscat Diving & Adventure Centre, Oman, +968 24543002, www.holiday-in-oman.com Oman World Tourism, Oman, +968 24565288, www.omanworldtourism.com

Fishing & Kayaking

Equipment Az’Zaha Tours, +968 99425461, www.azzahatours.com Water World Marine Oman, P.O. Box 76, Muscat, 113, Sultanate of Oman, +968 24737438, www.waterworldoman.com

Equipment Al Kashat, Fishing and Hunting Equipment, Souq Waqif, next to the Falcon Souq, +974 70057489 Al Mamzoore Marine Equipment, P.O. Box 6449, Old Salata, Doha, Qatar, +974 44444238, almamzoore@qatar.net.qa Extreme Adventure, Shop 3,4 Ahmed Bin Ali Steet, Doha, +974 44877884, www.extreme.qa Fish World, P.O. Box 1975, Doha, Qatar, +974 44340754 State of Qatar (QatarSub), Souq Waqif, next to the Falcon Souq, +974 4431234, www.stateofqatar.com Operators Paddle Qatar, +974 55490895, www.paddleqatar.com

Stand Up Paddeling, Kite & Surfing, Wakeboarding

Equipment, Operators Fly-N-Ride, Ras abu Aboud, Doha, +974 33117089, Flo Kite School, Westbay, Doha, +974 33155628, www.flokiteschool.com Kitesurfing Qatar, +97430179108, www.kitesurfingqatar.com QSUP, Qanat Quartier, Costa Malaz, The Pearl-Qc, Doha, Qatar, +974 66602830, www.qsup.me

Cycling (Road & Off Road)

Bike Servicing, Equipment Carbon Wheels Bike Shop, Al Maha Center 10, Salwa Road, Doha, +974 44419048, www.facebook.com/CarbonWheelsQTR Flash Bike Shop, Mesaeed New Souq, Shop C.06, +974 6600 9116, www.flashbikeshop.com Skate Shack, Salwa Road, South Doha, +974 44692532, www.skate-shack.com Galaxy Sport, City Centre Mall, 3rd Floor, +974 44822194; Villaggio Mall, +974 4456 9143; Ezdan Mall, +974 4492 2827, www.galaxysportqatar.com Sportswell, Salwa Road, South Doha, +974 44151687

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