OutdoorUAE - March 2018

Returns for 2018

Pink Caravan Ride Embarks on Nationwide Journey

Crossing Saudi Empty Quarter Running 300km in 10 days

What Women Want

Have a Target, a Goal, a Vision...

Nepal - Cycling to the Roof of the World The Off-Roaders Corner

Meet Mohammed and Salaudin

Plenty of

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ANATOMY OF A ROLLOVER

How to reduce the risk of a rollover happening to you?

SEVENTH ANNUAL CITIZEN SCIENCE EXPEDITION

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

MARCH 2018 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

OutdoorUAE Team

With the average air temperature at 28 degrees centigrade and the average sea temperature at 22 degrees centigrade throughout the month of March, the weather in the UAE is still cool enough to get out there and take part in adventure sports but we should all understand that it is getting hotter as we leave the winter months and head towards the summer!

A lot of us have young families and we like to take our kids along on adventures with us so it’s important that we all realize that small children aren’t as tough as their parents and need to be observed closely. Kids often won’t think to drink or to put on sun tan lotion or to wear a hat or to wear long sleeves to protect their skin from the sun, they are too busy having fun playing and we may not want to spoil that fun, but what’s worse? Being made to wear a funky hat on the beach or ending up in hospital?

Mums and Dads should always carry extra water (Coke and soft drinks don’t count!) and it’s easier to drink more if you can keep drinks cool in an ice box in the car. Spray sun tan lotion is great if you are an adult and take time to rub it in but giving your kids a spray lotion and expecting them to put it on properly is probably a lost cause! Make sure you get behind those ears and under the chin and nose where sun reflected up (Albado) from sand or sea can burn those under parts too. Long sleeved shirts like the “Fishing / Trekking Shirts” sold by Columbia are brilliant for outdoor adventures and the sleeves can be rolled up and secured with a button when short sleeves are really needed. Fully closed shoes help to protect little feet from burning sands and sunglasses will protect young children’s eyes from the suns glare which is getting stronger as we head back into summer. If you like trekking and you have young kids and you use a papoose or backpack to carry them, consider investing in one of the add on sun shades that can be attached, this will give you peace of mind and allows your kids to sleep on your back in the shade – lucky them, I wish I could be carried up the Hajar mountains like that!

As always have fun in the beautiful UAE Outdoors and share your adventures with us each month but more importantly stay safe out there!

Dan Wright Staff Writer and Outdoor Guide

Ireneo ‘Jung’ Francisco Photographer and Designer 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 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

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

Mobile: 055 9398915 sales@outdooruae.com

© 2018 Outdoor UAE FZE Vol. 8, No. 3, March 2018

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: Jon Walley Photography

All contents are copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any form without prior written permission. © 2018 Outdoor UAE FZE Reg. at Creative City Fujairah P.O. Box 4422, Fujairah, U.A.E.

David O’Hara Ultra Runner and Extreme Endurance Junkie

Kit Belen Our Fishing Pro

Bandana Jain Outdoor and Lifestyle Contributor

www.OutdoorUAE.com Facebook.com/OutdoorUAE

Nico de Corato Dubai Blogger and Athlete

Twitter.com/OutdoorUAE Instagram.com/OutdoorUAE Youtube.com/OutdoorUAE

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.

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Daniel Birkhofer Founder and Managing Director daniel@outdooruae.com

Nicky Holland Personal Trainer

Pedro Gomes Professional Triathlete

Denise Ostermann Outdoor Travel Contributor

WHEN YOU’RE DONE READING, PLEASE RECYCLE!

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

MARCH 2018 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

CONTENTS

09 DXB PADDLING

10 NEW KINGS OF EFG SAILING ARABIA – THE TOUR

14 BOULDERING CAMARADERIEIN ATSWAZILAND HAJAR ULTRAMARATHON 26 AND LESOTHO

EVERY ISSUE

14 CAMARADERIE AT HAJAR ULTRA ULTRAMARATHON 16 HUNDREDS TAKE PART IN THE HATTA WALKATHON 17 RANGE ROVER SPORT IS FIRST SUV TO CLIMB TO HEAVEN’S GATE 18 CASIO KICK’S OFF WITH G-SHOCK’S 35TH ANNIVERSARY MENA TOUR IN UAE 20 ABU DHABI TOUR CHALLENGE 2018 21 DAMAN’S TRI FIT CHALLENGE 22 ADRENALINE WEEKEND OUTDOORS IN UAE 24 UAE’S SUNSET OPEN SURF COMPETITION RETURNS FOR 2018 26 PINK CARAVAN RIDE ENBARKS ON NATIONWIDE JOURNEY FOR BREAST CAN CER AWARENESS WITH ITS FIRST MOBILE MAMMOGRAPHY UNIT

06 EVENTS CALENDAR 08 BEST SHOTS 47 PRODUCTS 63 DIRECTORY

EVENT & ACTIVITY REPORTS 09 DXB PADDLING 10 NEW KINGS OF EFG SAILING ARABIA – THE TOUR 12 26TH EDITION OF THE ANNUAL DUBAI TO MUSCAT OFFSHORE SAILING RACE 13 ROMANTIC R&R RUNNING IN RIYADH

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

MARCH 2018 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

30 THE OUTDOOR GIRLS OF THE UAE

22 ADRENALINE WEEKEND IN OUTDOORS IN UAE

TRAVEL & ADVENTURE 28 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY: INTERVIEW WITH DEIDRE O’LEARY 30 OUTDOOR GIRLS OF UAE 32 MOUNTAIN HIKES IN RAS AL KHAIMAH 35 A VERTICAL SPORT ON THE RISE 36 DAN WRIGHT 38 MUSCAT AND THE AL HAJAR ASH SHARQI 40 SEVENTH ANNUAL CITIZEN SCIENCE EXPEDITION TO THE DDCR IMPRESSES WITH RARE FINDINGS 42 NEPAL – CYCLING TO THE ROOF OF THE WORLD

LIFESTYLE 44 OFFROADER’S CORNER: MOHAMMED HUNAIDI

52 FISHING - IT’S NOT ALWAYS EASY - KIT

45 OFFROADER’S CORNER: SALAHUDIN SHAHALTOGH 46 HABITUALLY HEALTH: I CAUGHT A COBIA!

OUR EXPERTS 50 ANOTOMY OF ROLLOVER - MARINA 52 FISHING - IT’S NOT ALWAYS EASY - KIT 54 ECOTRAIL FLORENCE 2018 - NICO 56 HOW TO 4X4 - #4 - DANIEL

TIPS & TRICKS 58 WHAT WOMEN WANT - NICKY

PEOPLE 60 STEWART ALAN HOWISON

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

EVENTS CALENDAR

MARCH 2018 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

STAY UP-TO-DATE WITH THE LATEST EVENTS

MARCH

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Muhaisnah Road Run 10k,5K & 3k - Edition 4

The 4th Edition of Muhaisnah Road Run 10k, 5k & 3k is open for registration. Once again we do welcome our professional and social runners at Muhaisnah tracks, full of greenery and traffic free route under the supervision of Local authorities. The 10K winners in each age category will receive special trophies, Medals, Sports bags, Vouchers, and lucky draws fun is for all participants.

When: 23 March, 7:00 am Where: Dubai Contact: www.premieronline.com

MARCH

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Warrior Run 2018

The most famous obstacle race in JLT Fidelity Warrior Run gets bigger in 2018 will challenge you to take your running skill on a whole new level with around 10 obstacles will challenge your inner warrior.

When: 24 March, 9am Where: Dubai Contact: www.premieronline.com

MARCH

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Desert Road Runners 10km Mushrif Park

The oldest running race in Dubai, organised by the Desert Road Runners since 1991. A 10km race on an undulating course within the confines of Mushif Park, the oldest public park in Dubai.

When: 16 March, 7am Where: Dubai Contact: www.premieronline.com

MARCH

16

2XU Triathlon

Join this action packed morning of swimming, biking and running at Mamzar. The course offers calm waters in the lagoon, closed roads and a designated running track that ensures a safe and fun race.

Great for beginners to advanced, all ages, abilities & relay teams of 2 or 3 athletes. For more info and to enter: www.supersportsuae.com When: 16 March, 7am Where: Mamzar Contact: events@supersportsuae.com

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MARCH 2018 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

APRIL

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Custom Show Emirates

Now in its 3rd year, Custom Show Emirates is the biggest Custom Cars and Bikes Show in the Middle East. The show not only provides premium automotive entertainment to its visitors but also serves as a b2b and b2c platform that connects suppliers and retailers of tuning and after-market products, directly with buyers and end consumers. The show is also a strategic partner of Sema Show, USA. When: 5th - 7th April Where: ADNEC, Abu Dhabi Contact: www.customshowemirates.com

MARCH

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Paint Run - Ajman

Are you ready to join us to spread joy, happiness & positivity? You are all invited for this wonderful & colourful experience!

MARCH

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When: 16 March, 4pm Where: Ajman Contact: www.premieronline.com

MARCH

23

Tristar Fujairah Triathlon

The course offers Indian Ocean open water swimming, an undulating power sapping bike course with some steep climbs nestled among the Hajar mountains and a run along the Fujairah coast line.

23

5 Star Aquathlon - Race 3

The 5 Star Aquathlon presented by Daman’s Activelife at St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort for the season closing aquathlon. An amazing backdrop with an open water beach swim, before transitioning into the run through resort grounds. A fun aquathlon the whole family can participate in and open for all ages!

When: 23 March, 7am Where: Abu Dhabi Contact: www.premieronline.com

Run The Track is a number of runs being held at Dubai Autodrome. The events are not a series, so you can enter for one or more as you choose and are suitable for all members of the running community, from first time novice runners, to some of the best social runners in the UAE. When: 17 March, 6:15 am Where: Dubai Contact: www.premieronline.com

MARCH

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When: 23 March, 7am Where: Le Meridien Al Aqah, Fujairah Contact: events@supersportsuae.com

MARCH

Run The Track 10k, 5k & 3k March 2018

Jebel Hafeet Challenge

An epic run up the iconic Jabel Hafeet in Al Ain, race your way 12.5km to the top of the mountain with an amazing course and beautiful views at the to. Great test of endurance and mental strength. Challenging, but worth it!!!

When: 23 March, 6am Where: Al Ain Contact: www.premieronline.com

MARCH

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Yas Island Cycle Race

The Abu Dhabi Sports Council Community Cycle Race series returns to Yas Island’s Gateway Course. Long Course (Male 10 laps, Female 8 laps) and Short Course 6 laps. Each Lap is 5.2Km. When: 30 March, 6:30 am Where: Abu Dhabi Contact: www.premieronline.com

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

MARCH 2018 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

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: Mohammed Alih Basir, Jannifer Mitz Yap and Anlorea Toledo. Well done!

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

Mohammed Alih Basir

Camping in the mighty dunes of liwa

Jannifer Mitz Yap

Desert horse riding - a local on his horse out in Al Qudra, Dubai

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OUTDOORUAE

Anlorea Toledo

Participants enjoy the sand dunes at Liwa Desert during the Fun Drive 2018

EVENT REPORT

DXB Paddling Jumeirah: On 3rd March 2018 SeaYou Dubai partnered up with the Dubai international boat show to host the 3rd edition of DXB Paddling. This year’s event invited all forms of paddle sports to compete from SUP to Surfski to Outriggers.

The goal of the event is to gather all paddlers in the region to get together during the largest boat show in the Middle East and paddle in aim to promote various paddle sports, similar to the Paris SUP crossing held every December during the Paris International boat show.

The home for this year’s race was a new location. A 6km and 12km race around Seahorse Island which was different to the previous races that took place around the Palm Jumeirah.

Despite the shorter distance compared to the last two challenges, the 12km was by far the most gruelling challenge we had faced due to rough sea conditions and strong winds. Around 10 knots was recorded on the day meaning all participants had an uphill task ahead.

To complete the 12km challenge participants had to lap around the Island twice where they faced rough sea’s north of the island after paddling under the bridge and then going around the island anti clockwise. It wasn’t all tough as participants were greeted to stunning views of Burj Khalifa as they made their way back to the finishing line.

Around 75 participants from Dubai and Abu Dhabi SUP groups, Dubai Surfski &

kayak club and Dubai Outrigger canoe club signed up to take on the challenge.

In the 6km Kayak race, Germoe Gacutno was the only kayaker to complete the race crossing the finishing line on his RTM Disco with a time of 1 hour and 3 minutes.

Last year’s winners in the Outrigger category, Rima Kaio and his crew in the OC6 took home 1st place in the 12km (1hr 9 minutes) race followed by Tina Tinggaard Nielsen in her OC1 (1 hour 22 minutes) There was a good turn out from Dubai Surfski & kayak club. In 59mins: 44secs Doug Becton completed the 12km race followed by John Mc Laughlin in 2nd place with 59mins: 52secs and Wayne Taylor with 1hr: 30secs.

In the SUP event, the male 6km race saw Nic Yates come in 1st place with a time of 1hr 3mins, in 2nd place Jules Chartier with 1hr 4 minutes followed by Cedric Dulieu in 3rd with 1hr 7mins.

In the same event, the ladies category saw Alison Cook cross the line first with a time of 1hr 8mins followed by Christel Rossignol in 1hr 14mins and then Beatriz Ferreira behind her in just 1hr 19mins.

In the 12km SUP race saw last year’s winner and Starboard rider Nic Muhl keep hold of his place as champion with an impressive time of 1hr 29mins. 26 minutes later Edouard Pergeaux, also Starboard came in 2nd place with fellow Frenchman Thomas Castagnet in 2hr 19mins making it a Starboard SUP 1, 2 and 3.

In the womens 12km SUP race, Krista Prall came in 1st with a time of 2hr 17mins followed by Jennifer Scully in 2nd place.

It was tough out there and everyone deserved credit for taking part and completing the challenge.

This was the third time SeaYou Watersports organized the challenge with the overall goal to push paddle sports in the UAE and hopefully encourage more people to get out on the water.

Participants were treated to after race snacks and an award ceremony where winners walked away with trophies, medals and prizes sponsored by Starboard SUP. Also a special thanks to Adventure HQ who provided the 12km winners with gift vouchers.

Big thanks goes out to DWTC, Dubai sports council and ESSA for making the event happen for the third consecutive year.

If anyone wishes to find out more info on past and future races can do by contacting info@dxbpaddling.com! ■

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EVENT REPORT

New Kings of EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour Muscat, February 18th 2018: French team Beijaflore were crowned the new champions of EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour ending a four-year winning streak for rivals EFG Bank Monaco as the regatta came to a climax in Muscat, Oman.

Valentin Bellet’s polished outfit took the spoils in the Gulf classic, revamped for 2018 to feature a fleet of super-fast Diam 24 trimarans doing battle in five long ‘coastal raids’ and five short, intense stadium race series at venues all over Oman.

The new format demanded strength, skill and tenacity from the eight international crews competing for the coveted top spot while also showcasing Oman’s natural beauty.

Over the course of the 14 day-campaign Beijaflore were models of consistency, dominating three coastal raids plus the Salalah stadium racing.

They won a quarter of the 19 individual stadium races held and finished in a podium position in all but seven races – an impressive scorecard as the team now turns its attention to the Tour Voile, the highlight of the Diam 24 season.

Thierry Douillard’s EFG Bank Monaco, winners of every EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour since 2013, took the runners-up spot with five individual race wins and two coastal raid victories.

Third place went to Averda, led by British two-time Olympian Stevie Morrison.

“The whole Beijaflore team is really happy to win EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour,” said Beijaflore skipper Bellet, 26, from La Rochelle. “We came here wanting to win and we pulled it off. On paper we have a good advantage but the reality is that on the water it was very close between all the teams.

“We have a very good team, we were well prepared, we fought for every place in every race. This is ultimately what made the difference.

“This event has been fantastic training for the Tour Voile – in France now it is very cold and we can’t sail very often but here it’s possible to race every day against some

of the top teams and discover this beautiful country. It’s the perfect preparation for us.”

Buoyed by a third-place finish in the 2017 Tour Voile, Beijaflore set an early benchmark with victories in both the coastal raid and stadium racing in Salalah, adding to it with coastal raid wins in Duqm and Ras Al Hadd.

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

EFG Bank Monaco, meanwhile, started on the back foot with sixth in the Salalah stadium racing series.

Douillard’s crew, including former match racing world champion Mathieu Richard, answered back as the Tour moved north, winning stadium racing in Duqm and the coastal raid in Masirah Island.

French team Vivacar.fr chucked their hat in the ring with a stadium racing victory in Masirah, while Averda claimed the top spot for the inshore action in Sur. A win in the fifth coastal raid to Muscat’s old town of Muttrah, framed by the stunning Al Hajar mountains, gave EFG Bank Monaco a final boost but by this point Beijaflore’s lead was unassailable.

The final podium positions were confirmed when the fifth and final round of stadium racing was cancelled due to lack of wind.

“We are happy to come second – it’s a very positive thing for our team” said EFG Bank Monaco’s Omani trimmer Ali Al Balushi. “We have had a great two weeks together as a team and as a family.

MARCH 2018 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour overall results: “The racing was very tight and it was a great opportuBeijaflore (Valentine Bellet/FRA) 14.5pts nity to compete against some EFG Bank Monaco (Thierry Douillard/MON) 23.5pts of the best teams. It makes me proud to have representAverda (Stevie Morrison/GBR/OMA) 28.5pts ed Oman and to have been Vivacar.fr (Matthieu Souben/FRA) 37pts able to show off my country to so many sailors from all Cheminees Poujoulat (Bernard Stamm/SUI) 37pts over the world.”

Lorina Golfe du Morbihan (Solune Robert/FRA) 37.40pts The EFG Bank Monaco crew will now join forces with Renaissance (Cedric Pouligny/OMA) 59.5pts Averda’s sailors to form a DB Schenker (Elodie-Jane Mettraux/GER) 66pts formidable Oman Sail entry in the 2018 Tour Voile where pipped to seventh by EFG Sailing Arabia – they will aim to improve on The Tour veteran Cedric Pouligny’s Renaislast year’s fifth-place finish. sance.

Five race wins for Matthieu Souben’s A special prize-giving ceremony to celVivacar.fr against two for Bernard Stamm’s ebrate the achievement of the sailors and Cheminees Poujoulat decided the tie for the success of EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour fourth place, while young guns Lorina Golfe was held at Muscat’s National Museum of du Morbihan, all under the age of 21, finOman. ished sixth.

The awards were presented by His ExcelAll-woman crew DB Schenker, skippered lency Sayyid Saud Bin Hilal Bin Hamad Al

by Volvo Ocean Race star Elodie-Jane Busaidi, Minister of State and Governor of Mettraux and featuring Omani sailors Marwa Muscat. ■ Al Khaifi and Tamadher al Balushi, were just

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

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EVENT REPORT

26th Edition of the Annual Dubai to Muscat Offshore Sailing Race The Dubai to Muscat Sailing Race is the longest offshore race in the region for modern keelboats, covering over 360 miles of challenging and adventurous sailing around the Musandam Peninsula.

The race is organised by the United Arab Emirates Sailing and Rowing Federation (UAE SARF), in association with Oman’s Ministry of Sports Affairs, and recognised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC).

The race is scheduled over 5 days, departing from Dubai Offshore Sailing Club in Dubai on Thursday March 8th and ending on or before the cut-off time of 6:00pm on Tuesday March 13 that Marina Bandar Al Rowdha in Muscat. The sailors can expect to spend from three to five days at sea, racing 24 hours a day, in a variety of weather conditions.

Following a very successful 25th Silver Anniversary race, the organisers are expecting over 25 yachts to participate with 150 sailors from the UAE, the region and around the world. The new March start date allows the race to become part of the prestigious Asian Keelboat Championship, which will eventually attract entrants from across the Asian region. In addition, the introduction of a double-handed class will allow veterans of the race to seek a new challenge with just 2 sailors on board where they may have raced the course previously with 6 to 10 crew.

Crews work in shifts, sunrise aboard Yacht Sandpiper (2016)

2016 Startline off Dubai (Photo by: Pete Cheney)

Champagne sailing aboard Yacht Magic (2016)

All the boats will have GPS trackers on board and the progress of the yachts can be viewed online at the race website: http:// dubaitomuscatrace.com/race-tracker/ For the first time, interested spectators who are not participating directly, who cannot sail themselves, or cannot afford the time, can participate in the challenge by entering the online racing game at: http:// virtualregatta.com/en. Using the online game, enthusiasts can sail their own virtual modern keelboat around the same course, using the actual weather seen by the real boats, and with their virtual boat having the same performance as several of the actual boats taking part.

Hitch hikers! Remora’s on the hull of Yacht Sandpiper (2016)

The organisers are delighted to be returning this year to Marina Bandar Al Rowdha, the original finish line for the race which debuted in 1991, although the original events were more of an exploratory cruise than a competitive race. During the intervening years the entries have grown substantially with boats coming from all over the UAE, as well as entries from international boats and crew. ■ Pre-start checks up the mast – Yacht Shahrazad (2016)

Words + Photos by: David O’Hara

As a way of thanking Olga my Wife for volunteering at Checkpoint 3 at the Hajar Ultramarathon, I decide to take her to Riyadh for a long weekend. My ulterior motive – to the shock of absolutely nobody who knows me – is that during our Riyadh weekend on Friday there is a half marathon for men and women, and on Saturday there is a half marathon for men. I figure a nice touristy weekend in Riyadh would be a great gift to Olga for International Women’s Day, because deep down I am a romantic at heart.

Sangcom Half Marathon on Friday

Friday’s Half Marathon takes place in a compound in Riyadh, with six loops of about 3.5km each. The course has some easy rolling hills, with the unusual distractions of chickens, goats and deer along the route.

The runners comprise mainly foreigners and their families, with about 150 runners (120 men and 30 women) participating in the half marathon, all wearing running gear.

Olga and I start the first lap together, but it’s clear to me that today she is ready to push it more than I am.

Olga’s Podium Finish

After the first 3.5km loop at a 5:15/km pace, Olga drops me like a ton of bricks and takes off, and naturally I slow down to my realistic pace. Because of the open spaces along the course, I see Olga gap me and speed up. By the third loop, she is way too far for me to see her. Olga continues her push and finishes in 1:49. About four minutes later in 1:53, I gasp across the finish line and see Olga smiling: she earned second place among the ladies!

Showing off the Hardware

Aerobics to warm up

Cheering the runners

Saudi General Sports Authority Half Marathon on Saturday

Saturday’s Half Marathon is the first major running event in Riyadh hosted by the General Sports Authority of Saudi Arabia, a government organization. The event is a major undertaking with 10,000 men running three distances: 4km, 8km and 21km. The organizers have invited international elites to Riyadh to participate and compete for the 1,000,000 riyal first place prize. Some international runners like me have invited themselves to participate in the event to compete for the glory of the event itself.

A Woman Watching a Men’s Event

As this is Olga’s first visit to Saudi Arabia, she notices some cultural differences – for example, separate entrances and seating areas for Men and Families at restaurants.

Olga has some uncertainty about what she would do while I run the half marathon. It quickly becomes clear that there is critical mass among women in Riyadh: when a group of women want to sit down on the tribunal at the Finish, that section becomes a ‘Family’ section. There are not many women spectating, and even fewer foreign women. A Saudi television crew films an interview with Olga, asking her opinion of the event. The atmosphere is similar to most major running events, lots of waiting for the first runners to finish, then lots of cheering when the masses cross the finish line – I finish in 1:54, a full five minutes slower than Olga’s time the previous day!

My runing story

Riyadh Half Marathon finish

Riyadh is Becoming a Running City

The event is held in northern Riyadh on the campus of a major university, with the course traversing up and down the hills outside the city. Considering that this is the first public running event that I am aware of in Riyadh with thousands of participants, it is well-organized: bibs with timer chips, water stations every 2km, ambulances, and a well-marked course. It probably rains five days a year in Riyadh and before the Start, it rains – the organizers even had the forethought of handing out branded umbrellas! From a runner’s perspective, the course itself is beautiful, and hopefully next year the event will be extended another 21km to become The Riyadh Marathon. ■

Awards Ceremony

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EVENT REPORT

Old Buddies, New Buddies and CP3

Words + Photos by: David O’Hara

Hajar, ahhh Hajar. The Hajar 50km and 100km are the ultimate ultra marathon events in the Middle East, taking runners up and down and back up and back down the Hajar Mountains on a warm February morning. Hajar is tough and is supposed to be tough. You come to Hajar to test your physical fitness and your mental strength.

If you do not focus at Hajar, you will fall or fail. It’s a test of endurance and self-sufficiency, which creates camaraderie among those who accept the challenge.

Running Buddies

Hajar starts at 05:30 in the darkness somewhere in rural Ras Al Khaimah at the foot of the Hajar Mountains. Like most of the local ultramarathons, I start toward the back of the pack with my buddy Alex and a couple other guys I’ve met at previous events. I am pleasantly surprised to see Steve – the guy with whom I ran the first half of Wadi Bih in 2017 – and we stay together until we reach the foot of the mountains. Steve has a secret, which I will test later: trekking poles.

When Steve takes out his poles at the first hill, it is the last I see of him. Mental note and lesson learned: use trekking poles.

Hajar Ultramarathon start

Race briefing

First Miscalculation

Alex and I run together casually in the darkness, sharing one dim headlamp between the two of us. We figure it’s only 8km in the darkness before sunrise and the first part of the trail isn’t technical, so we decide to embrace the dark trail. After 3km, we unexpectedly see about 100 headlamps blasting down a hill from the right. For some inexplicable reason, the leaders turn off the flat main trail because one trail marker appears to point them astray – surprising mistake as there were many Hajar veterans who know that the first turn is at 7km. I ponder how runners with so much ultra experience can make such a fundamental miscalculation, as opposed to the miscalculation I make later.

Stunning Views on the Ridgeline

After sunrise, the trail warms up and it becomes clear that dehydration will take its toll today. The trail goes 1000 meters vertical up the first hill, which seems steep to the rookies, because they do not know what rocky mountain trail lies ahead after Checkpoint 3. At the top of the first hill, there is a nice breeze and a great picnic spot, where

My new Hajar buddies - David, Stewart and Pornsak

a bunch of us enjoy our morning gels and pickles for an ultra brekkie. The next 10km are up and down a rocky ridgeline, with stunning mountain views on both sides – just don’t focus on the cliffs and the loose rocks by your feet. Once we make it to Checkpoint 2, we have about 12km down a long winding farm road, and this is where I start running with Stewart.

New Running Buddies

Stewart is training for Marathon des Sables, but hasn’t done technical trails so this is a new experience for him. Going up and down the hills, we come across David, who decided to run Hajar on a whim. David is a good road marathoner, who wants to spice things up a little and signs up for Hajar as his first ultra. Since the first hill, a Thai runner named Pornsak who ran Big Stinker with me in January, has been running behind us a little and finally sticks with our little group.

The four of us all hit Checkpoint 3 comfortably ahead of the five and a half hour cutoff.

Checkpoint 3 is significant, because this is the last water stop before the big, bad mountain, and we all fill up with three liters of water each.

Race check in with Alex Running is easy, until it gets really hard

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CP3 taking care of runners before the rocky climb

The Girls at Checkpoint 3

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Yann cruising into CP3

Checkpoint 3 Rocks!

Full disclosure: I’m biased about Checkpoint 3, because my wife Olya was volunteering there with Louise – Louise, is it true you were riding a donkey around Checkpoint 3?

Stewart, David, Pornsak and I leave Checkpoint 3 and power trek the mountain, it’s just after 11:00 when the temperature is well over 30C and the sun is starting to heat things up. We are very careful about nutrition, electrolytes and water, but still feel the mountain on our calves and quads. We decide to push ourselves to various landmarks, then stop and drink before continuing. We are all pushing ourselves pretty hard, but the suffering is somehow minimalized when we share it among each other. There is no bitching or whining, but a sense of immense satisfaction after each section we conquer.

Sunrise in the Hajar Mountains

Blasting down technical terrain after sunset

No More Stunning Views

Emergency water stop in a village

Water!

By the time we get to the top of the first section of the mountain, we are down to a half liter of water between the four of us.

We go house to house, when I come across a local villager and ask for water. Obviously we were not the first geniuses today to need water. We fill our packs and bottles from his water tank, when he offers me some hot tea.

At this point, refusing his kind gesture would be offensive so I gladly burn my mouth with his scalding tea, which is served in a dirty mug with oily thumbprints and crud inside the cup. We thank the guy profusely and continue our adventure.

Seemingly surprised selfie before sunrise

Climbing the Hajar mountains on such rugged rocks involves more trekking than actual running, even though our heartrates are pounding as if we are doing intervals or windsprints. Because earlier we had been on the edge with dwindling water supplies, we are careful about our hydration and nutrition in the exposed sun. While physically we may have been suffering a bit, the rapport we share is engaging, as we entertain each other with a wide variety of Brilliant Ideas that are not particularly appropriate to discuss unless running the trails. Over the first few hours of running together, we discuss the usual: kit, races, times, shoes. After 7-8 hours, we become much more philosophical and the discussion embodies what ultrarunning is about – we run for Happiness and Love.

Second Miscalculation

We are in good spirits as we leave Checkpoint 4 and have 9km to Checkpoint 5. We cruise up and down the mountains on a smooth road, until this year’s detour throws a wrench in my calculation: the last 3km before Checkpoint 5 are on a very technical rocky path, which probably takes more than an hour despite our high effort. There are no stunning views, as the sun is already setting.

We are pushing each other hard enough that each of us is stumbling and tripping on the sides of cliffs and down the mountain.

Unfortunately, my rookie miscalculation Enjoying the moment with Stewart

causes us to reach Checkpoint 5 literally less than five minutes too late, which means we missed the cutoff this time. (Sorry guys!) Oh well – we learn from this experience and relish in the camaraderie of the ultra trail. We will be back, and we will conquer Hajar!

Lessons Learned

1. Love and respect the volunteers at the checkpoints.

2. Prepare: train, run, get the right equipment (poles!), study the route and bring food.

3. Follow the trail, not the herd of runners in front of you.

4. The sun in UAE plays a significant role.

5. Bring extra water.

6. Respect the mountains – they are steep, rocky and have serious cliffs.

7. Don’t underestimate the challenge of technical trails.

8. Run with strangers and enjoy each other’s experiences.

9. Pickles, potatoes and beet juice taste better than gels after running ten hours.

10. If a villager gives you water when you really need water and then offers you tea, drink the damn tea. ■ Thrills of the mountains

EVENT REPORT

HUNDREDS TAKE PART IN HATTA WALKATHON Under the banner of the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Community Sports Initiative, the Dubai Sports Council (DSC) organised a walkathon in Hatta on Tuesday, February 27, attracting hundreds of school children and residents.

Commencing from the Hill Park, the 3km walkathon passed through the city before finishing at Hatta Cultural and Sports Club.

Several governmental entities – namely Dubai Municipality, Dubai Police, Dubai Customs, RTA, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, Dubai Civil Defense, Directorate General of Residency & Foreigners Affairs, Culture & Arts Society in Hatta and Maitha Bint Rashid AlMaktoum Center for People of Determination – took part in the walkathon alongside students of government and private schools.

“The Hamdan Bin Mohammed Community Sports Initiative is one of several initiatives launched by our wise leadership to boost

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the sports sector in UAE and the emirate of Dubai in particular,” said Ali Mohammed Obaid Al Bidwawi, the Chairman of Hatta Cultural and Sports Club’s board and President of Hatta Football Company.

“This initiative confirms the importance of cooperation among various governmental agencies and departments in Dubai. It is a healthy initiative with noble goals.

“I thank Dubai Sports Council for organising this distinctive event. The DSC is keen to arrange various sports events in Hatta every year. In fact, the Council has played a vital role in the infrastructural development work in Hatta Club.”

Adel Al Bannai, the Manager of Social Events Section in DSC, added: “The DSC is keen to organise this event annually, since it helps in popularising the culture of physical activity among all classes of society.

“The city of Hatta has been a point of focus for DSC since 2009, when the Council organised several sports events as part of the Physical Activity Program. The DSC also organises several challenges, adventures and cycling competitions in Hatta every year.” ■

• Performance SUV climbs towering 45-degree, 999-step staircase in world-first Dragon Road challenge • Range Rover Sport shows it’s dynamic breadth of capability on one of the world’s most challenging driving roads before tackling the epic climb to Heaven’s Gate rock arch in China • Piloted by Le Mans class-winner and Panasonic Jaguar Racing reserve and test driver Ho-Pin Tung • Watch the unique ascent here: www.youtu.be/5kc55wEmEbc

12 February 2018 – A dizzying 99 turns and 999 daunting steps didn’t stop the new Range Rover Sport from completing a world-first at one of China’s most famous landmarks. The performance SUV has become the first vehicle to climb the stairs to the natural rock arch of Heaven’s Gate.

The challenge began at the bottom of the legendary 11.3km Tianmen Mountain Road (known as the Dragon Road). The showroom standard Range Rover Sport took on the demanding course,with Panasonic Jaguar Racing’s Ho-Pin Tung behind the wheel.

At the summit of the road, the Formula E driver optimised Terrain Response for the second part of the challenge, conquering the

towering 45-degree staircase of 999 steps leading to China’s legendary Heaven’s Gate.

Ho-Pin Tung said: “I’ve experienced Formula E, Formula 1 and won at the 24 Hours of Le Mans but this was without doubt one of the most demanding driving challenges I’ve ever faced. The Range Rover Sport performed brilliantly as it inspired real confidence on the mountain road and climbed the stairs up to Heaven’s Gate effortlessly.”

The performance SUV showed its uncompromised all-terrain credentials by climbing the steep staircase to the natural rock arch.

Phil Jones, Land Rover Experience expert, said:”This was the hardest Range Rover Sport challenge I’ve ever been involved with because, until we reached the top, we couldn’t categorically say we would succeed.

By making it to the summit, we’ve proven the

phenomenal capability of the Range Rover Sport like never before – with a genuine world first.”

The Dragon Challenge is the latest in a series of adventures completed by the Range Rover Sport. Previous exploits include a record-setting hill-climb at Pikes Peak, USA, a record crossing of the ‘Empty Quarter’ desert in the Arabian Peninsula and a 2,170m descent of the legendary Inferno downhill course in Mürren, Switzerland. ■

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CASIO kicks off with G-SHOCK’s 35th Anniversary MENA Tour in UAE CASIO to convey ‘real toughness’ in shock-resistant timepieces to young Arab consumers and brand fans

Globally, Casio is celebrating the 35th anniversary of G-SHOCK brand that was first introduced in Japan back in 1983 and since then relentlessly delivered real toughness to G-Shock enthusiasts around the world.

In commemoration, Casio Middle East had kicked-off with a long road-show style tour in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) covering major Arab countries starting from the UAE as a kick-off market.

From the Emirates, the tour will make a stop in other markets in the GCC, Levant, and North Africa to highlight the ‘’real toughness’’ of shock-resistant timepieces to all young Arabs, and to G-Shock fans and enthusiasts.

Top executives from Casio Middle East and Casio Japan, led by Managing Director Koji Naka, graced the kick-off celebration held at On42 in Media One Hotel on February 28, 2018 alongside influencers, personalities and rappers, namely,Moh Flow, Freek, Majeed and Menon; DJ’s AY and DJ Liutik; MC Big Hass; BMX rider Muhammad Abdulmajeed and Calligraphy artist Diaa Alam.

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Timepiece Sr. Product Marketing Manager, Mohammed Deiki and Timepiece Deputy General Manager Mahmoud Jabsheh also joined Naka as two distinguished speakers who emphasized the evolution of the brand over the years and its legacy during the event.

Naka said, “Casio is all geared up for its MENA celebration, which will be highlighted by tours from our team to throw the spotlight on G-SHOCK’s shock-resistant structure based on the ‘real toughness’ concept and how this suits the fast-paced and dynamic lifestyle of many young Arabs today. The tour will start here in the UAE, which is our kick-off market, followed by other markets in the GCC, Levant Arabia and North Africa.

This road show aims to drive up awareness on why G-SHOCK has maintained industry leadership over the last three decades and a half—showcasing how each timepiece is packed with Casio innovations and technologies, the iconic timepiece consists of fundamental elements that the MENA region will find highly functional and essential.”

The UAE event came on the heels of a memorable anniversary festivity in New York City where G-SHOCK executives and friends honoured the brand’s legacy. Celebrities, actors, and influencers were present during the New York gathering.

Since the launch of its very first model, G-SHOCK has continued to raise the bar high by leveraging Casio’s commitment to innovations and modern technologies. It has evolved over decades with improved functions and performance in keeping with the needs of contemporary times. The shockresistant watch enjoys a wide and loyal following in the UAE and different parts of the globe and the number is growing steadily mainly thanks to its absolute toughness and innovative features.

The development of G-SHOCK began in 1981 with an engineer’s passion to create a rugged watch that would not break even if dropped. Two years and over 200 prototypes later, the first G-SHOCK model, the DW-5000C, featuring an all-new shockresistant construction, was released in April 1983. It overturned the accepted notion that wrist-watches were inherently fragile and susceptible to shocks, paving the way for a new product category called the “tough watch.”

The G-SHOCK Red Out Limited edition watches are available at Virgin Megastore, Mall of the Emirates. ■

EVENT REPORT

The amateur cycling event announcing the arrival of the pros of the Abu Dhabi Tour Words by: Nico de Corato Photos by: Nico de Corato & Valerio Passaretti

This year lots of cyclist attended the Abu Dhabi Tour Challenge. The amateur cycling event announced the arrival of the Abu Dhabi Tour, the professional road cycling stage race now at its fourth edition which took place between 21 and 25 February 2018 in Abu Dhabi. It was the third event of the 2018 UCI World Tour. There were 3 cycle races in the month of February: 1st challenge - 2nd February 2018 The Climb stage - Jebel Hafeet

The Abu Dhabi Tour Challenge 1, offered 2 race distances with the race starting at Wadi Adventure and taking riders on a relatively flat looped course before the climb to the top of Jebel Hafeet. This race was valid for the Abu Dhabi Tour Challenge Championship only for the riders that can do the long distance:

King of the Mountain Simon Henley - Queen of the Mountain Yvonne van Hattum

3rd challenge - 20th February 2018 The Knockout - Yas Marina Circuit

The Elimination stage. Cyclists had a precise time to finish the lap (reduced at each new lap). Riders had to complete the lap inside the fixed time otherwise they were eliminated. Only the last 2 laps were “free”. The winners were the ones crossing the finish line as first, second and third.

The Intermediate Sprint winner was the cyclist who passed under the finish arch of the second-last lap in first position. At each Abu Dhabi Tour Challenge the winners (men

+ women) were awarded with a Challenge Jersey, so it was a proper championship!

Riders could compete in one or all the races of the championship to gain as many points as possible and become the one and only rider to wear the red jersey!

The overall winner of the Abu Dhabi Tour Challenge 2018 was Simon Henley, who was also awarded as “King of the Mountain.”

After the challenge was over it was time to assist the pros taking part into the Abu Dhabi Tour and after that, well then we wait for the next year’s edition! ■

1. Short Course (47K = 3 x 10K loops then riding to the top of Jebel Hafeet) 2. Long Course (67K = 5 x 10K loops then riding to the top of Jebel Hafeet)

2nd challenge - 11th February 2018 - The Individual Time Trial (ITT) - Yas Marina Circuit

The only official individual time trial (ITT) of the Abu Dhabi Tour Challenge. Ride against the clock with your road bike or a time trial bike for one lap of Yas Marina Circuit. The starting sequence was usually based on the known performance of the competitors and the rider with the fastest time was declared the winner!

The Yas Marina Circuit was designed

by Hermann Tilke and is situated on Yas Island, about 30 minutes from the capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi. Yas Marina is the second Formula One track in the Middle East, with the first being in Bahrain. A two-day GP2 Asia Series test was held to officially open the circuit, which was held a week before the 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The circuit has FIA Grade 1 license. Outside motorsport the circuit has been used as location for the final stage since the inaugural Abu Dhabi Tour cycle race in 2015.

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EVENT REPORT

Daman’s Tri Fit Challenge Participants Hit the

ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi 3 March 2018 - Three hundred amateur triathletes descended on Yas Island for the ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi as part of Daman’s Tri Fit Challenge – the training programme which encourages people of all ages to get active and live a healthier lifestyle.

The three-month programme that trained amateur triathletes for the ITU blue carpet saw participants take to the start line today following an exclusive meet and greet with Arab professional triathlete, Omar Nour, and ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi 2017 Champion, Andrea Hewitt, to ask questions and calm their nerves just ahead of kick off.

“I am excited to be here in Abu Dhabi and see all the athletes. It is great we can share tips and tell them what to look out for in their first triathlon. There are so many people here of various abilities and from all around the world,” said Andrea.

“I really enjoyed my time meeting participants who are doing this for the very first time. When I interact with participants who haven’t done a triathlon before it inspires me, it gets me fired up because it reminds me of all the feelings I experience when I do a triathlon. It is terrific that there is such a programme in Abu Dhabi

by Daman’s Activelife that encourages people to get active through triathlon,” said Omar.

Rachel Harding, a first timer in the Daman Tri Fit Challenge who won first place in her age group, commented: “Before I joined this programme I could only swim 25 metres. Today, I did the sprint solo and I can’t believe how amazing it feels to cross the finish line. I can’t wait to do my second triathlon.”

The 12-week training programme supported participants of all capabilities – one tailored to first-timers looking to swim, bike and run their way to their first ever triathlon; and the second for seasoned amateur triathletes looking to beat their personal best. ■

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ACTIVITY REPORT

Adrenaline Weekend Outdoors in UAE Words + Photos by: David O’Hara

What do you do when a family friend visits UAE for a short weekend? After I run the Bahrain Marathon on Friday, I decide to take my buddy Lance to Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah to check out the Via Ferrata and Toro Verde, two new great outdoor adventures.

Toro Verde - landing

Via Ferrata opened last year and is an “Iron Path” along the side of a cliff at the bottom of Jebel Jais Mountain, just outside of RAK. Toro Verde is a big-ass zipline (World’s Longest!) that zooms from the top of Jebel Jais across a huge valley at really high speeds.

What is Acrophobia?

Via Ferrata takes place in a beautiful part of the Hajar Mountains, where we go through a safety briefing, get some equipment and head off on our trek. The concept of Via Ferrata is trekking while clipped into a metal cable safely secured to the side of a mountain, so that people may traverse steep and otherwise inaccessible cliffs. In RAK to add a little spice to the trek, they include three ziplines. The entire adventure takes about four hours, depending on how much you stop and take photos or pause to contemplate how to spell “Acrophobia” as you admire the cliffs at your feet.

The Double Clip System

I love the Via Ferrata. When we first clip into the cable, nobody trusts it and we focus on not falling. We gradually begin to test the cable as we ascend, and become adept at the double-clip system we learned about at the safety briefing: you have two clips, and you only unclip one at a time as you move from section to section, so you are always clipped into the cable. Think about it – it’s really important. The Via Ferrata gives me the sensation of climbing cliffs and bouncing along the cliff walls like a prowling puma – but without endangering myself. Some of the route is pretty simple, but there are a few sections that I did not feel particularly comfortable with, even though I’m clipped in.

Via Ferrata - safety briefing

The Fashionable Body Hammock

Three Ziplines

The system of three ziplines on the Via Ferrata allows us to test ourselves as they get higher and longer as we progress. Ziplining is like hanging from a rolling pulley along a cable which is secured between two cliffs, with some elevation under our feet. It’s also a great way to test your comfort level with the Via Ferrata team: they clip you into the zipline and tell you to step off the cliff into the thin air above a 120 meter cliff. That first step is a great challenge, but once you are moving you realize that you are at the point of no return. Easy theory, but wait until you are standing on the top of the cliff.

Lance and Olga at Via Ferrata

Toro Verde - taking off

Going from Via Ferrata to Toro Verde

The Via Ferrata takes place at the base of Jebel Jais, and after we finish we drive up Jebel Jais to the Toro Verde staging area for the World’s Longest Zipline. Toro Verde is a completely different experience than Via Ferrata, despite some common themes – both take place at Jebel Jais and involve cables and harnesses. Via Ferrata is four hours of action with a group of eight that requires constant concentration and some physical challenge in climbing up and along a cliff. Toro Verde is much more of a passive activity for people looking for an adrenaline rush of crazy speed and altitude, and requiring only an absence of fear to participate. Holy crap.

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Enjoying the view of Hajar Mountains

Via Ferrata - enjoying the cliffs

How Fast is Fast? 156km/h

Via Ferrata - vertical climb

What’s a Body Hammock?

Toro Verde shuttles people to the top of the mountain, where somebody dons a harness on you and brings you to the platform. The guys at the top give you a helmet and strap you into what is essentially a body hammock, which seems strange until you figure out what is going on. The body hammock is what they secure to the zipline and you are, in turn, secured to the body hammock, which prevents you from moving around. I visualize this system as an ingenious method to safely transport a sack of potatoes down the mountain on a zipline. Game on, I’m ready.

How do you Zipline?

For anyone new to ziplining, the zipline is 2.8km stretched from a platform at the top of Jebel Jais across the mountain to a little white dot which is actually a landing platform so far away. The concept is simple: you strap into the body hammock and the Toro Verge guys check your gear and then release you. You hold on to the rope behind your legs so your arms don’t flail about, which would cause you to rock back and forth. This seems so simple and the element that I am not describing is the speed. The mountain is steep and you pick up amazing speed so quickly.

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The guys at the top platform describe the experience as the closest thing to flying.

Somebody compares it to bungee jumping.

Who knows. After the guy released me and I begin zooming down the mountain, there is a loud hissing noise like an airplane propeller – it’s the sound of the pulley whirring and gathering momentum. After about five seconds of contemplating the meaning of life and reconsidering my priorities, I open my eyes: oh my god. I am just starting to fly over the first valley, suspending in a body hammock hundreds of meters above rocks and cliffs and my body tenses up completely to the point of cramping. Somehow I manage to take a couple deep breaths and let myself completely relax, which helps me get comfortable flying. I am going so fast that my face muscles are stretching from the wind, and the pressure is forcing my arms back. Afterwards I check my Garmin watch: my top speed is 156km/h. Cool.

Via Ferrata or Toro Verde?

The Via Ferrata and Toro Verde are definitely great day trips from Dubai. We love both of them. I will not recommend one over the other: they are different adventures for different people. I prefer the Via Ferrata, because I love climbing mountains and the sense of walking along the cliffs like a puma.

Lance prefers Toro Verde because of the raw speed and sense of actually flying. Toro Verde is a full scale tourist operation that even had souvenirs for sale. Via Ferrata had great facilities and new equipment, but is intended for people wanting to spend a few hours climbing around rocks. Both are great adventures for people looking for some adrenaline in the mountains, but if you do both, do Via Ferrata first, then Toro Verde. ■

Starting Via Ferrata

Strolling down the Via Ferrata

Ready to take on the mountains

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EVENT REPORT

Photos by: Jon Walley Photography

• The only surfing competition in the GCC region • Waiting period announced for February 23rd to March 31st • Competition to feature 6 divisions including men, women, and children, as well as other beachside festival attractions at Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Dubai

One of the most hotly anticipated events in the region’s sporting calendar, the Corona Sunset Open surfing competition will return to Dubai’s shores later this month, with the waiting period now officially announced to be from February 23rd to March 31st 2018.

As the only surfing competition in the GCC, the event is now in it’s 7th year and will bring together some of the best surfing talent from across the region to try their hand at taking home the prize of first, second, or third place across six divisions. Organized by Surf House Dubai and sponsored

by Corona, this year the event will be held at Nikki Beach Resort &Spa Dubai.

“Surf competitions rely on the whims of nature, so the two-day event will run across the best consecutive Friday and Saturday of waves within this 5-week waiting period. It’s one of the most exciting times of the year

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for Dubai’s existing surf community - we have a surprisingly strong surf history here and we’re proud that there’s so much great talent in the region. It’s also a great opportunity for newcomers and other interested parties to experience Dubai’s vibrant surf community, whether it’s to take part in the event or simply to enjoy the atmosphere and other activities there.

Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Dubai is an ideal location, not only do the waves around the location offer some of the UAE’s most high-performance surfing conditions, but the facilities will also provide spectators and participants alike with plenty of ways to enjoy the occasion in comfort and style,” says Scott Chambers, Managing Director and Founder of Surf House Dubai.

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Alexander Schneider, the resort’s General Manager said, “Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Dubai has grown to become one of the city’s favourite spots and we are happy to officially welcome the exciting UAE surf community to our shores. We have become home to surfers in search for the perfect wave and we look forward to welcoming participants, judges, friends and families to our beach.”

The event is free and open for all to spectators. To enter the competition, head to Surf House Dubai’s Facebook page and click the registration link. With only 100 spots open for competitors, hopefuls are encouraged to enter as soon as possible while

spaces are still available. The divisions are split into the following categories: • Super Groms (6-11 years) • Groms Division (12-16 years) • Girls/Women’s Open Division (17+) • Men’s Open Division (17+) • Long Board Division (15 +and surfboards above 9ft in length) • SUP Surf Division (15+) The event will also feature a number of other attractions, including beach yoga, strength and fitness training provided by RIG Crossfit, parkour installations, as well as

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a food and beverage selection from Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Dubai, a retail selection from Surf House Dubai, live music and more.

To keep abreast of the announcements for the competition dates within the waiting period participants are encouraged to follow Surf House Dubai’s social media accounts (@SurfHouseDubai on Instagram, and “Surf House Dubai - Surf and SUP School” on Facebook) for regular updates, announcements, and more. ■ For inquiries or more information, please contact info@surfingdubai.com, or visit www.SurfingDubai.com

NaishKiteboarding

naish_kiteboarding

naishkites.com

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EVENT REPORT

In the presence of Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah

Pink Caravan Ride Embarks on Nationwide Journey for Breast Cancer Awareness with its First Mobile Mammography Unit • The eighth edition of the annual campaign is being supported by 230 equestrians, and will be featuring a specialised mobile mammography van for the first time • The equestrian route of PCR 2018: Sharjah, Fujairah, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Ajman, Abu Dhabi • Free breast screenings and medical consultations will be offered at 30+ fixed clinics across the seven emirates Sharjah, February 28, 2018 - Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of the Ruler of Sharjah, Founder and Royal Patron of the Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP), and in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, the eighth edition of the Pink Caravan Ride set off today (Wednesday) on a weeklong tour of the seven emirates to continue spreading breast cancer awareness and highlight the importance of early detection through its provision of free medical screenings and expert consultations to members of community.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem Al Qasimi, Royal Princess Ghida Talal, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Amman-based King Hussein Cancer Foundation and Center; and HE Reem Bin Karam, Head of the Pink Caravan’s Higher Steering Committee witnessed the launch of Pink Caravan’s first permanent mobile mammography clinic, which will tour the seven emirates along with the campaign offering free breast and cervical cancer tests. The AED 15 million unit is equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostics equipment and latest technologies, and was brought to fruition through

the generous patronage offered by the Sharjah Media Corporation (SMC).

After having toured through the emirate of Sharjah, the Pink Caravan Ride will be in Fujairah tomorrow. They will continue their journey into Dubai March 2 (Friday), and campaign across Ras Al Khaimah on the fourth day of the campaign (March 3). The fifth day of the ride (March 4) will cover the emirate of Umm Al Qurain, and on Day 6 (March 5) the campaign will be in Ajman. Staying true to tradition, the final day (March 6) of the awareness ride will be spent in the capital of Abu Dhabi, where the eighth edition’s closing ceremony will also be held.

This year, Pink Caravan Ride is witnessing participation from the largest number of equestrians who have volunteered in its seven-year history – 230 horse riders, including 150 locals, 65 from across the GCC and greater Arab region and 15 from Europe. More than 100 volunteers and over 200 medical practitioners have signed up to facilitate the proceedings of the campaign, and 30 fixed clinics have been set up across the seven emirates to offer free breast screenings and medical consultations.

The opening ceremony took place at the Sharjah Equestrian & Racing Club, in the presence of a galaxy of prominent local, regional and international figures including Sheikh Abdullah bin Majid Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Equestrian Club and Racing Club; Sheikha Aisha Khalid Al Qasimi, Director of Sajaya Young Ladies of Sharjah; Royal Princess Ghida Talal; Major General Saif Al Zari Al Shamsi, Commander-in-Chief of Sharjah Police; Major General Saif Al Zari Al Shamsi, Commander-in-Chief of Sharjah Police; H.E. Abdullah Ali Al Mehyan, Chairman of Sharjah Health Authority; H.E. Ali Salim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Airport Authority; Noura Al Noman, Chairperson of the Executive Office of H.H. Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi; Salem Al Qaseer, Chairman of Sharjah Labour Standards Development Authority (SLSDA); Mohammed Ahmed Abdullah Chief Executive Officer of Sharjah Islamic Bank; H.E. Reem BinKaram; and as well as heads and members of the Pink Caravan Ride’s committees and the ride’s partners and supporters, were also present at the event.

Also in attendance were Thabet Salem Al Turaifi, Director General of Sharjah Municipality; Mohammed Al Zarouni, Director of Sharjah Medical Zone; Modhi Mohammed Al Shamsi, Chairperson of the Department of Family Development Centres; Khawla Al Serkal, Director General of Sharjah Ladies Club; HE Salem Al Ghaithi, Director of Sharjah TV; and Tariq Saeed Allay Director, Sharjah Government Media Bureau.

In her opening ceremony keynote, HE Reem Bin Karam outlined the milestones achieved by the Pink Caravan since it was brought to existence in 2010.

“We stand here today to launch the eighth edition of the Pink Caravan Ride, a story whose chapters began in 2011 with immense support of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Founder and Royal Patron of the FoCP. The ‘community-to- community’ initiative was mainly launched to correct misconceptions and dispel myths related to breast cancer, enhance the awareness of the importance of early detection and educate the public and equip them with the knowledge of breast cancer, ways of prevention and significance of regular checkups to encounter the repercussions of the disease.”

Bin Karam added: “When we started, our dreams were big and our steps were modest, but with sincere faith and resolve, we have succeeded in taking our mission of spreading awareness further. Breast

cancer is often associated with complete surrender, and hence many have not taken regular screenings seriously. Also, men have rejected the idea of getting examined for breast cancer, mistakenly assuming that they can never be at risk.”

She continued: “We started as a small team and worked several hours, equipped with the determination and hope. The first year of the campaign faced several difficulties due to community misconceptions. We have strived to change these with increasing awareness and hope with each passing year, and we have seen the reward in the number of people that have come forward firmly supporting our mission.”

Bin Karam went on to say: “Inspired by the strong belief cultivated in us by the support of His Highness Sheikh Sultan Al Qasimi, we now see our dreams realising faster than before, and see dozens of equestrians holding our banners of ‘pink hope’ spreading the Pink Caravan’s message of the importance of early detection and promoting awareness about breast cancer, which if detected early has a 98 percent chance of being completely cured.”

She referred to the big milestones achieved by the Pink Caravan, thanks to the support of government and private organisations, overwhelming community engagement and participation of unsung heroes – combined and effective efforts that have sensitised the public increasingly about the importance of early detection and the role undergoing regular medical screenings can play in ensuring the same.

An awarding ceremony was organised to honour the campaign’s long-standing sponsors including the Sharjah Islamic Bank, Sharjah Media Corporation, The Sharjah Equestrian & Racing Club, Sharjah Police General Directorate, Sharjah Health Authority, and dozens of other partners and ambassadors.

“Today, we are reaping the fruits of eight years of hard work and dedicated efforts, with the launch of the Pink Caravan’s Medical Mobile Clinic with generous support from the Sharjah Media Corporation, and the inauguration of dozens of medical clinics across the emirates. We have been recognised internationally too as we receive invitations from them to launch the Pink Caravan Ride in their countries.

We deserve to be proud of all efforts that have stood tall and transformed the Pink Caravan Ride into a symbol of hope,” Bin Karam concluded.

During the ceremony, a short documentary highlighting the achievements and milestones of the Pink Caravan Ride in heightening awareness among community members and educating them about the disease over the past seven years was showcased. The documentary also shed light on the campaign’s activities and efforts that contributed to dispersing misconceptions surrounding the disease, and the major role it has played in empowering people with the knowledge of how to curb risk and prevent breast cancer from progressing to advanced stages through the free medical tests. ■

Deidre O’Leary with adventure buddy, Kyle Knight

Rub Al Khali, Saudi Empty Quarter - sea of dunes

Interview with Deidre O’Leary

(300km, 10 days crossing of Saudi Empty Quarter) were two hours of total blackness before the moon appeared and out came the stars.

During those times – when we really needed a lift after a long day - the sky was completely alive with stars. We would put on music and crank out the last km’s to our target, our favourite tune being Kygo’s “Stargazing”.

We didn’t listen to music all day, to save it for that moment when we needed it.

Words + Interview by: Aida Othman Photos by: Supplied

The memory of December 2014 which was my longest run in the UAE for the second year in a row are still fresh in my mind, especially when my dear friend, Deidre O’Leary (known as Dee) came to support and accompanied me on the final 30km (out of total 575km in the 7 Emirates Run) from Sharjah to Dubai.

4 years have since passed by and once again I have the privilege of speaking with Dee. I can really feel her sense of pride as an explorer (not only as an ultra- runner) after she and Kyle Knight recently completed their epic expedition, crossing Rub’ al Khali, the Saudi Empty Quarter in 10 days in early January. In the following interview to celebrate International Women’s Day, I catch up with Dee about hiking the world’s tallest dunes, being the first woman known to cross this remote desert from South to North on foot, the challenges faced in this tough expedition, the strength factors, and how she adjusted back to life in Dubai.

3. Question: You seem to have had a few great adventures with sand, crossing over deserts (i.e. you’ve completed the Liwa Challenge in 2016). How is it different to road/trail running?

1. Question: What is it like to be the first women to cross the Rub’ al Khali, Saudi Empty Quarter on foot? Is this your proudest running achievement so far?

Four years of training in the desert of the UAE allowed me to have the biggest adventure of my life. I felt like an explorer and was shocked by how motivating that feeling was (I had never dreamed of coming first in anything related to running!). We crossed 300km of remote desert in 10 days, gaining more than 6,000m of elevation over the sand dunes, and feeling like we’d been to the edge of heaven on earth. My only comparable experience was cross-country running in the UAE with you, Aida in 2014, the pain of that run (535km in 11 days) having convinced me that anything is possible if you learn from the experts and train appropriately.

2. Question: What was your favourite moment during this Empty Quarter Ultra challenge?

My favourite moment came every night at 5:30pm when the sun went down, and there

I love all kinds of running, but from the first moment I ran in the sand dunes, I knew that was my favourite. Being from Canada, the desert always reminds me of looking at a beautiful snowcap but painted golden and without the chill factor! The Liwa Challenge 100/200km event in the Abu Dhabi oasis was the start of an obsession with desert running in 2016. We carried all our supplies on our back, and at night just laid down on top of a dune and went to sleep. It was intense and I got hooked!

4. Question: What were your strengths and weaknesses going into this expedition? How did you capitalize, and overcome them?

My main strength was my running mate Kyle Knight, a fellow Canadian and Liwa Challenger who I’d been training with for almost four years. We could make each other laugh in the worst situations (like facing 100m+ walls of sand, at night, with flat head torch battery). He taught me to plan routes and navigate using technology.

About 4 months of detailed planning and preparation on logistics (routes, permits & visa, life insurance), contingency (emergency rescue, medical supplies) and communication have been another key strength factor.

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We equipped our expedition with high powered walky-talkies, local communication network, and emergency SOS system.

Training solo also helped a lot when in the remote Empty Quarter especially when Kyle and I traversed at our own pace - often we didn’t see each other for some distance.

We also had a four-man Saudi support crew (Meteb, Abu Rayan, Saleh, and Mansour) from Amazing Tours. They are complete desert experts, but more used to their clients riding inside the four vehicles. Before our day began at around 8:30 am, we spent an hour taping our feet – which felt ridiculous since they could walk across burning sand without any shoes.

The main weaknesses we faced were basically our own doing, as we decided to cross the Empty Quarter from South to North, which meant that we were moving up the dune escarpment faces (up to 400m high) and with a permanent headwind. We crossed up to ten dune ridges a day, inching up the sand, faced with up to 50 degrees’ gradient, and then running down the sloping side of the dunes and crossing the salt plains between them. I overcame this with the thought that nobody was likely to come this way, to see these exact same views, for a very long time (if ever!).

5. Question: We can survive without food more than 3 weeks, but water is a different story. Talk to me about hydration - what did you encountered in the desert with regards to fluid consumption, running pace, and sweating?

Water supply was our biggest problem during the day (so was the limited petrol supply). Having showers was out of the picture.

Meteb and our support crew needed to find their own way through the dunes, to avoid the risk of their vehicles getting stuck and wasting petrol (we had 1,200 litres and had none to spare). Normally, the crew was behind us as they often needed to drive twice as far as we ran to find a pathway through the dune ridges.

We worked out that we could manage with 9-10 litres of water per day. Practically, this meant that we needed to meet Meteb once per day to get more water and make a safety check that we were all okay. As the days wore on, we both developed edema

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Rub Al Khali, Saudi Empty Quarter - hiking up tall dune

(excess fluid in the skin and tissue). Our legs and feet were swollen. Kyle found a mysterious dent in his leg one day, which concerned us until we realized that it was just a handprint.

6. Question: It’s been 2 months now and you are back to normal civilization. Are you still recovering?

I’ll never forget; (1) the nights we spent around the campfire, wearing long Bedouin jackets and eating Saudi “risotto” with camel, lamb or once even a pigeon, and (2) how it took 90 minutes to climb each dune face (or longer if you stopped and slid down), and that sometimes I was progressing literally inch-by-inch. I keep these thoughts in my head, along with the memory of the peaceful landscape, for all the times that “reality bites” back in the busy city. And I’m back running again.

7. Question: What would you do differently (if any)? Any dark moments or regrets?

I was really concerned only twice, once when I seriously twanged a leg muscle for one day and another when Kyle was ill for almost two days. Fortunately, we brought the right medication. We cut down the distance from the daily target (about 30km per day)

and made up later in other days. I supported my friend through his tough time but was too hard on myself.

8. Question: We are both women in the 40s. In your opinion, does age play any roles in completing a tough expedition?

Yes, I know now what doesn’t work for me and I don’t mind if I need to seriously adapt a plan to keep on training. Other people are fast runners and I am not, and that’s okay with me. My fast friends can run with me when they’ve been out late the night before!

Also, for the first time, I hired a coach (John Hampshire) and I realized what a boost it is to have that bond with someone who is cheering for you.

9. Question: How was it being away for 15 days from your family?

My husband is my greatest ally in this whole running lark, and my children Alasdair and Roan (both eight) still remember our 7 Emirates Run. So they all think 10 days of running is relatively ‘normal’. When I was away, I thought about them constantly and look forward to us running together when the boys are old enough.

10. Question: Marking International Women’s Day on 8th March, any advice you want to give to other women in the UAE or the Gulf?

Yes, just choose to be confident - rather than perfect - and run on. Saudi Arabia was very welcoming to me, as was the UAE when we ran around it, and you find more supporters out there than you could ever imagine. Enjoy! ■

Deidre O’Leary and Kyle Knight with support crew from Amazing Tours from left Meteb, Deidre, Mansour, Abu Rayan, Kyle, and Saleh

Aida Othman (@_aidaothman_) is a lifestyle writer and content creator behind the website, “Slice of Torch Ginger.”

An avid ultra-runner,her longest run was the 7 Emirates Run in the UAE, covering 575km in 12 days to raise funds for the medical bills of a toddler born with deformed legs and the only woman to achieve this distance, two years in a row.

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OUTDOOR GIRLS OF UAE Words by: Arnaud Laviolette

The world of outdoor activities is taking a very positive trend and girls have also been showing their interest in defeating altitude and peak adventures. Meet three of the most amazing passionate adventurers that are in the Great Outdoors nearly every weekend for camping, trekking, hiking, running and beach activities.

Llana Heyrosa:

“I was into hiking back home in the Philippines as I was surrounded by amazing and beautiful mountains. When I arrived in the UAE, I started engaging myself with running and outdoor yoga practice until I decided to join some hiking groups on weekends.

I face challenges bravely to achieve my goals and the best feeling is when I am hiking. No matter how tired I am, I never give up to reach the summit for the view that takes my breath away. All the aches, thirst and fatigue are instantly replaced.”

Her Dream?

“To be able to trek in Nepal and explore more beautiful mountains in the world.”

Her Advice for Other Girls?

“Be brave and adventurous, explore as it is one way of knowing yourself and testing your strength.

You can measure how far you can go and realize things you are capable of doing. Go beyond your limits!”

How Can You Inspire Other Girls to Also Come Out There?

“I started posting in my Instagram account about my experiences and the view that they will see when they reach the top and a gentle reminder that it is very addictive :) “

Sarah Barrett,

She has been in the United Arabs of Emirates for 4 years; very curious by nature, and wanted to explore the country outside the shopping trends and FnBoutlets . She is one of these girls that explore relentlessly the Wadis and mountains of the UAE. Sarah looks for exciting outdoor activities every weekend to attend with her friends. One thing she mentioned which is amazing: “I wouldn’t say I am fearless but I am a thrill seeker. Sharing fears or insecurities doesn’t make me weak, you will learn that other people share your fears and ultimately, it will empower you to press on. “ Sarah loves hiking around the UAE and Oman and also enjoy water-sports as well.

She wakes at 4:30am to go hiking on weekends when she is off work. What she enjoys the most is the silence of nature, the thrill, the challenge, fresh air and breathtaking sceneries.

Why Does She Do It?

“Because its highly addictive.”

Her Advice for Other Girls?

“Don’t be afraid to try something new.”

What’s your Future-plan as a Passionate Adventurer?

“My future plan is to explore the hidden wadis across the country and try different trails. I want to explore other countries as well.”

Her Advice for Other Girls?

Ivyrose Billones,

“For my first 4 years in Dubai, I was so overwhelmed with the place and enjoyed the nightlife so much until till I met someone who introduced me to go into the outdoors and try new activities. Crossing the vast desert, off-roading across the hidden Wadis (dry water bed) were so enjoyable that I never stopped. Before going outdoors, I had started to gain weight and was feeling depressed by doing the same thing over and over again. I decided to do things differently by being active outdoors.

Every hike I did was the greatest one to date, as I had never imagined myself before being up there! Hiking feels like a slice of heaven as if you want to live there forever.

When you get to the summit, it will just give you a pure sense of peace.”

“Don’t waste the borrowed life God has given you. Spend your time wisely and explore more. The best way to see the world is to go towards the dream places by challenging yourself.” ■

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Words by: Andy Marty

Andy is one of the Co-Founders of “The Travel Hub.” In addition to travelling outside of the United Arab Emirates, there are many places to visit only a drive away from Dubai.

Recently, Andy joined a group from Dubai on a hike through the mountains in the nearby Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.

Dubai has become an incredibly popular tourist destination, with many spectacular highlights for visitors –The Burj Khalifa, The Palm, Dubai Mall, Old Town Dubai, Souk Madinat and adventures in the desert - just to name a few. But there are some hidden gems located outside Dubai that people really need to hear about!

The United Arab Emirates is made up of a total of 7 Emirates. Many are familiar with Dubai and Abu Dhabi, however the other Emirates - Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Umm Al Quaim and Ras Al Khaimah are well worth visiting in their own right, whether you are here on vacation or living in the UAE.

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Whilst much of the UAE is made up of vast sand dunes, there are areas in the Northern Emirates that have Rocky Mountains and valleys that can be both spectacular to view and great fun to explore.

We joined a group organized by “Zsi Trading” - a distribution group in Dubai specialising in apparel like the outdoor adventure brand, “Marmot.” The hike was led by local adventurer Arnaud Laviolette, who arranged information on what to bring, meeting points and a pre-hike briefing.

We drove just over 1.5 hours from Downtown Dubai into the mountains of Ras Al Khaimah. Our hike started at the base of Wadi Al Afar (wadis are essentially dry river beds) and our aim was to climb to the peak of Jebel Yabanah - around 1,170m above sea level. The terrain is rocky, with very sparse vegetation - looking more like a scene out of the movie “The Martian”.

Whilst it wasn’t an overly long hike in regards to distance, it was slow going as the accent is quite steep and very gravelly.

We were hiking in what are considered the cooler months in the UAE, however the temperatures still rise quickly in the day and you have almost zero protection from the sun, so carrying enough water is essential.

What to take:

• Water: at least 3 litres per person • Appropriate clothing: Can be cool in the early morning, but gets warm, so think layers!

• Sturdy footwear • Sun protection

• Lightweight food: Small lunch, protein bars, snacks.......LOLLIES ;) • A hiking stick if you have one.

• Camera: If you are conscious of carrying weight, the mobile phone! If you are silly like me, take your DSLR! • Small first aid kit • Bags should not weigh more than 6kg maximum!

Remarkably, tribes of local Emiratis lived for centuries midway up the valley and our hike came across a small area where for a long time, they had practiced farming techniques to grow feed for livestock - a large flat area surrounded by a small rock wall which would gather soil over years, enough to sustain grasses to feed livestock in the summer. There was also a small cemetery and remains of traditional stones houses.

Not far away was also a small point where water remained at the surface. Further up the valley was another small house - this was equipped with air-conditioning and is still inhabited today!

The final stretch of the hike was a steep, challenging climb - it certainly raised the feeling of satisfaction when reaching the top! The view from the summit was spectacular and despite it being a hazy day, it was still possible to see across to the other side to a small village. We sat and enjoyed a picnic lunch, admired the view and contemplated the age old hypothesis of what goes up, must come down!

Anyone who has done any hiking up and down mountains will understand that the descent is usually more difficult than the ascent. Its harsh on the legs and you really need to concentrate on gravelly terrain

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not to slip or roll an ankle. There isn’t a well defined path on this hike and we did find at times that the route we took on the way down probably wasn’t the “desirable” course - however the sliding on backsides and slipping between boulders was as entertaining as it was challenging!

On the way up and down, we came across some workers who were carrying various things up and down. Their years of experience was a clear advantage and they made striding across the steep slopes of unstable rocks look easy.

Too often we plan to travel hundreds of miles from our homes and forget to explore the unique destinations just under our noses. For anyone living in the UAE, taking a hike through the mountains and wadis of Ras Al Khaimah is a great experience and a fantastic leg work out! The Wadi Al Afar hike is considered to be an intermediate level, taking around 8 hours across moderately challenging terrain. There are some other intermediate hikes available including The Wadi Shah Loop, Wadi Ghalila & Naqab. For beginners, there are some shorter hikes of around 3 hours available in Wadi Shawkah, Donkey Path Trail and The Copper Hike.

There is an enthusiastic community in the UAE and Arnaud arranges hikes that are possible to join. It is possible to contact Arnaud via email: arnaud@ecotrek.ae ■ Social Media Links: Arnaud Laviolette: Instagram - @arnaud_laviolette Instagram: @andrewmarty_

The Columbia Adventure Academy tells you how

Camping is one of the most popular outdoor actives in the UAE and mostly combined with other activities such as off-roading, hiking or fishing. We want to give you a short and easy guide how to enjoy camping in the desert: 1. Where - The most common question is ‘where’ but there is no short answer to it.

So if you don't see a sign that camping is prohibited and you did not cross a closed fence or gate, you are good to go and pitch your tent. Often you pass fence lines which should keep camels away from the highway, passing these fences is no problem. You should really not worry but in case some local residents would approach you (never happen to me in 12 years) you should respect the request and leave. It is much more likely that locals in the desert will rather give you some company or invite you for a tea.

Al Qudra, Showka, Mleiha, Liwa are all popular camping areas to help you find a place to go camping for the first time.

2. When - The best time is from October till December and from March till May. In January and February you should prepare for cold nights. The summer months are very hot during the day but nights can be quite pleasant.

3. Equipment - Here it comes down to preferences, you have minimalists who show up with a simple beach mat and sleep under the stars or in their car.

Contrary to them are the avid campers who show up with camping trailers and setup a camp site which looks like the base camp for a major exhibition. The common options would be a basic tent.

Ventilation is the most important aspect you should look at for in a tent plus a sleeping mat and a blanket or a sleeping bag. Don't underestimate winters in the UAE temperatures can drop below 10C° which can be very uncomfortable if you are not prepared for it.

4. Dangers - The biggest danger is that you get stuck or lost while you are on the hunt for a nice camp site. So make sure you are prepared for a desert drive. Winters can get cold but not that cold that you would die. The summer heat is more dangerous during the hot days and you should make sure you have sufficient sun protection and fluids with you at all times. There are snakes, scorpions and camel spiders in the desert but unless you step on them they will do you no harm. If this concerns you wear shoes at all times. Snakes are very rare to find and camel spiders are big

but also not a common sight, scorpions are easier to spot especially if you use a UV light torch. In more than a decade here I have not seen or heard of any incident of someone getting bitten.

The right shoes to protect you from evil scorpions as well as comfortable and lightweight clothing to protect you from the heat of the sun and UV rays you can find at your local Columbia Sportswear stores.

The best way to get familiar with camping in the desert and overcome the initial entry barriers is to go with other campers. You will quickly pick up some tips and enjoy the silence of the desert. We have also some videos with camping tips on our YouTube channel or on the Columbia Academy website.

To see video tips and videos from our other events check out our Facebook & Instagram page as well as www.facebook.com/columbiame and Instagram: @COLUMBIASPORTSWEAR_ME. Please visit our website: www.columbiaacademy.ae

TRAVEL & ADVENTURE

A VERTICAL SPORT ON THE RISE Words by: Quinag Photos by: Supplied

A showcase for male and female athletes with the physical dexterity of a comic-book superhero and aiming to become the first vertical sport at the Olympic Winter Games, ice climbing is in its ascendancy.

Organized by the UIAA – International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation, the annual UIAA Ice Climbing World Tour is the major platform for the competitive arm of the sport. The World Tour takes place from mid January to the beginning of March with five World Cup events on three continents. 2018 competitions were held in Switzerland, Italy, China, South Korea and Russia.

The UAE currently offers winter sports enthusiasts a range of cold weather activities, from Skiing on real snow at Ski Dubai, to ice skating on International standard rinks at places like the Dubai Mal. There are also a wide range of climbing towers in the cities and Outdoor locations but to date there are no Ice-Climbing walls. With the fast development of all sports in the UAE and its desire as a country to be a leader in International sports it can’t be long now till somebody builds the first Ice Wall in the desert and trains a team of future Emirati Ice Climbing champions, after all the UAE Army has already conquered the highest Mountain in the World – Everest.

Around 200 athletes from 20 countries took part in the World Tour which comprises World Cup events in two disciplines – Speed and Lead. “Speed is the easier competi-

tion for people to understand,” explains the UIAA President Frits Vrijlandt. “It is fast, dynamic and a truly spectacular ascent of an ice wall.” The lead discipline is arguably more intriguing and technical. Speed requires raw strength, power and flawless nerves as one slip of an ice axe can lead to either elimination or injury. In lead, athletes negotiate technical routes held across a 30m structure which comprises various types of holds and ice fixes. The aim is to climb to the highest point possible in the allotted time but one slip, one false move, one moment of indecision and the athlete falls and their climb is over. “Lead ice climbing is about solving problems,” says Iranian athlete Masoud Zeynali, “In that way it is a metaphor for life.” “In ice climbing anything can really happen,” explains Noah Beek of Canada. “It’s a fair game, anyone can make a mistake and anyone can climb a route perfectly.”

“We are continually developing the

sport,” explains Vrijlandt. “With our Olympic ambition in mind, we need to continue progressing from a grass roots level. This includes more continental competitions and events for younger climbers, an even stronger World Tour and the appearance of ice climbing at major multi-sport events.” ■

For further details on the UIAA Ice Climbing World Tour: www.theuiaa.org/ice-climbing

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TRAVEL & ADVENTURE

Words by: Dan Wright Photos by: Dan Wright and Royston Utirapathy

For a long time now my friends from Singapore have been telling me that the weather there is always perfect. It’s just 1-degree north of the equator so even the rainy season has warm rain!

Generally, the temperature varies throughout the year from a low of 25 degrees to a High of 37 degrees. Sure it’s coastal so it gets humid but it’s not that sticky humidity we get along the Indian Ocean coastline back home.

Despite measuring a tiny 720 square kilometres and with a population of 5.6 million the main island and its roughly 62 smaller islets that make up this country have some fantastic adventure sports opportunities for families and lone travelers.

Singapore was originally founded in 1819

by Stamford Raffles as a trading post for the British East India Company. In WW2 it was occupied by Japan and in 1963 it gained independence from the British along with Malaysia and in 1965 became a Sovereign Nation separate from Malaysia. The name Singapore is derived from the Sanskrit “Simhapura,” in which Simha means lion and Pura means City. Singapore is often referred to as the “Lion City” which is the origin of its name.

Singapore now ranks 5th on the UN Human Development Index and has the 3rd highest GDP per capita.

27 meter high challenge course It is recognized as a safe haven for tax and has the second busiest container port in the World. As a travel destination it is fantastic! It has 4 officially recognized languages (English, Chinese, Tamil and Malay) and it is one of the safest and cleanest countries in the World. Yes, it is expensive but you know you are always getting the highest standard and the customer service is excellent. Also the shopping opportunities are as good as Dubai and if you travel during the Sales then you are going to get some great deals!

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Dan in Kayak in Mangroves

New Japanese friends

In the last week of February, I had some unused annual leave days which I was required to use or lose and since Singapore is just a 6-hour flight away and with a British passport I can walk in with a free stamp at immigration, I thought, “Well, why not? Let’s try Singapore!” I have to say, it was a brilliant decision!

I arrived with Silk Air on an early morning flight at Changi Airport (Rated as one of the top 3 airports in the World) at 0430 am. Immigration and luggage collection was really quick and inside 1 hour of landing I was already checked into my Hotel at the; Holiday Inn, Orchard Street which is pretty much the center of town ($230 sgd/night). At the airport I picked up a local SIM card for $30 sgd (about 85 AED). This entiJurassic World tled me to 10 days’ service on Singtel with 90 minutes of international calls, 1000 local texts, unlimited local calls and a staggering 100gb of internet connectivity!

Roller coaster I was advised on arrival at my hotel by the front desk to download the UBER app to my phone to enable me to call for pickups anywhere and I quickly realized that Singapore is so small that at most times of the day every destination is a maximum of half an hour away!

I had pre-booked an adventure package with a local company I do some work with in

the UAE, that provides Corporate training to the Business community in Singapore and also adventure camps for kids and adults! I wanted to make the most of my week in the sun so I had picked activities that would get me close to nature and give me a chance to really see the whole main island and some of the smaller islands offshore too. It’s easy to book the popular tourist activities on your own when you reach Singapore (Cheaper to book tickets on line than to pay at the destinations). But the adventure package needs to be booked in advance.

On the first Sunday (Which is part of their 2-day weekend off work) I took the monorail to Sentosa Island and visited Universal studios.

What an amazing day – would be even better if you went as a family – I rode the huge roller coaster and the Jurassic Park rides and went to the 4D cinema and watched the Water World Stage show.

When I say stage what I mean is huge, water filled, film set that they use for an action packed 30-minute performance based on the Kevin Costner movie “Water World.” Whilst queueing for the Roller Coaster I joined up with a Japanese group that I then ran into later on the beach as well, we exchanged emails and they sent me a picture of us all together – holidays are all about meeting people and trying new things!

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My guide JD heading into the jungle

Mangrove floating Village

I tried throughout the had been allowed to go week to stagger my acback to the Jungle and tivities between shopping there were several white and relaxing and tasting cranes and herons dotted all the different freshly around the shores looking cooked cuisines available for the small fish that dart in the city and going out to between the tree roots do different activities. that extend into the cool My second activity was fresh waters. to visit an Adventure camp By 6pm we had on the coast of Senreached our campsite tosa and to try out their which was beside the 27-metre tall Spiral Assault course tower. This sea and a cool breeze was blowing through was a very high up experience in which each the palm trees. I pitched our tents while my person is clipped into a system that takes Guide JD went into the local village to speak them on a safety line all the way to the top to a friend of his who had a small grocery following a series of challenging elements shop there. When he returned he was laden like; Hanging tires, Wire Burma Bridges, down with a big hamour wrapped in newsBalance beams, climbing traverse walls etc. paper and several green coconuts and some You can go in teams all tied together (which local vegetables wrapped in banana leaves. makes it much harder) or as an individual (not We quickly set to barbequing all this over the tied in) but still part of a group ascending tofire and by the time the sun went down we gether with 2 Instructors. Despite the nervewere all set to enjoy a delicious feast washed wracking height I still felt very safe under the down with cool Coconut water – really a expert guidance of the 2 Instructors and the tropical paradise! whole experience was thrilling!

We awoke with the sunrise and JD took me On the Wednesday, my Guide Mr. JD Lee down to the shore to swim amongst the rocks picked me up from my hotel with a set of kit on the beach. After this we went to visit his for me and we headed to a coastal park to infriend in the village who provided us with a flate our 2-man Kayak and head out into the delicious breakfast of gelatinous rice steamed sea. The short crossing over the channel to in banana leaves with chicken fat and served Pulau Ubin island took about 40 minutes and with steamed chicken that is cooled as soon would have been quicker if we didn’t have to as it is cooked in cold water leaving it moist wait for a giant container ship to pass by and and locking in all the flavour. This simple if we hadn’t explored round the outside of dish of “chicken and rice” is Singapore most a floating fish farm! We reached the manfamous meal and the most popular with all 4 grove covered shores of the small island and native language groups! entered a mud surrounded channel into the Whilst we ate breakfast we got chatting to mangroves. Everywhere we were surrounded a group of Nepalese Gurkhas who were off with hermit crabs, mud skippers, Macaque duty and had come to the island for fishing. monkeys and flashes of blue kingfishers! We In Singapore there are over 2000 Gurkhas even saw a huge wild boar (over a meter seconded to the Singapore Police and they long) foraging along the water’s edge. are just as respected here as they are in India After several long stretches of river and and the UK. We joined them after breakjungle crowded bends we reached a very fast on the local “Bump Boat” – so named muddy beach where we pulled up the kayak, because it is surrounded with hanging tires deflated it, shouldered our backpacks and which allow it to bump its way along crowdheaded into the Jungle. Personally I love ined channels full of fishing boats - to get back sects and Singapore is great for them. Huge to the mainland.

Stag Beetles and long lines of marching ants on the leaf litter floor. The palms above us casting great shadows and giving us intermittent glimpses of the sun which made it almost feel like night on the forest floor. All around us were calling birds, cicada and the sounds of wild animals rustling in the bushes. We entered a Ghurkas on their day-off beautiful flooded quarry that

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Jungle grocery shop - JD and his friend

My final adventure on the Thursday was to head back across to Sentosa island to the Mega Adventure Park to ride their Zip line that crosses the Jungle, Beach and a short channel and ends on a tiny island. You can purchase a waterproof case on a neck leash for $10 sgd to hold your mobile phone so you can film the zip line down without risking dropping your camera into the jungle or the sea below! We were taken to the top station by electric golf buggy in groups of 5 and then the zip line can take 3 people on parallel wires at one time. The bottom station has 3 back up braking systems so it was very safe and the ride itself is thrilling!

By the time Friday came round which was my last day and my flight home, I had spent a small fortune on shopping and eating, seen a huge amount of the island of Singapore but by no means all of it and taken part in several adventure activities but my favourite was the Kayaking and Jungle Camp! I will definitely be going back again soon but next time I am taking my whole family with me!

Information:

1. Flights - I flew the cheap route to Singapore, using Fly Dubai to get to Kathmandu (where I had a couple of days first) and then Silk air to fly on to Singapore. Fly Dubai was 1,400 AED return and Silk air was 3400 AED return.

2. Accommodation - I stayed in the Holiday Inn (Orchard street) on a bed and breakfast package which was 650 AED a night.

3. Activities - I used the leading Adventure Trip provider in Singapore – “Adam Khoo Outdoor Company”. They provided a Kayaking + Jungle exploration + Overnight Camp – Including all food, equipment and the Guide at just 450 AED per person.

Contact: info@akltg.com (Ask for JD or Royston) 4. Sentosa Island to the Mainland Cable Car Ticketing: Website – www.onefabergroup.com/ Price (one way) - $18 sgd / person 5. Universal Studios – Sentosa Island Website – www.rwsentosa.com/Homepage/Attractions/UniversalStudiosSingapore Price (All day entry and rides) - $68 / person ($50 supplement in the park gives you priority to all rides to beat the long queues) 6. Mega Adventure Zip Line – Sentosa Island Website – www.sg.megaadventure.com/ Price (for 1 ride) - $50 ■

TRAVEL & ADVENTURE

Words + Photos by: Paul Robida

I stand under the sun facing the bay of Muscat an old postcard in my hand. The photograph was taken from an airplane, for a better perspective on what the city looked like just a few decades ago.

White houses in a few rows of narrow streets nested in a small cove, protected on the sea front by two Portuguese forts, and on its back by rocky hill crops. Not much remains from that time besides the forts, as Oman has embarked on a modernization process since Sultan Qaboos rise to power in 1970. But unlike some of its regional neighbours, boasting impressive new skylines, Muscat has tried to preserve its original identity with a coherent and controlled expansion. As it spilled over to the next cove, Muttrah, then filled Wadi Al Kabir, and now expands onto the Batinah plain, the capital city of the Sultanate remains a relaxed, down to earth and authentic Arabian city.

During the day, life hides from the blazing sun, with streets only populated by a mix of a local working crowd, quick to return to air-conditioned spaces, and foreign tourists looking for exotic pictures as they follow their travel guides “to do lists” - Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the Corniche, the forts, the opera, the souk, etc.

But the true Muscat’s only reveal themselves after dusk, when its inhabitants come out to enjoy the cooler evening temperatures. The streets fill-up with people out to; shop, eat, or gather with friends, as if the Omani only really lives at night. The beach where I plan on sleeping is packed, with music coming out of cars passing again and again, hoping to be noticed. Muscat tonight is full of life, full of joy. A mood that will prevail through the late hours of the night, making it close to impossible to find sleep.

My journey begins a few sleepless hours later driving south along the coast for a short while. In every cove luxurious resorts are being built, taking advantage of stunning locations, transforming the rugged shores once home to fishermen, into tourism hotspots. Further along, still untouched,

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stands a magnificent rocky bay called Ras al Khiran.

On the sand leading to its emerald waters, hundreds of tiny crabs with one oversized claw run around, only to disappear in the wet sand as you approach. In the warm shallow waters, a multitude of exotic fishes of all colours swim around you unafraid. Foreign workers from a construction camp nearby, just need to bend down to grab a few for their breakfast. A place I could spend the day, but behind me the bare and imposing Al Hajar mountains are calling.

To navigate through the mountains, one needs to follow the Wadih’s. A maze of trails traced on the dry water ways leading you from one valley to the next. At first the tracks are fairly flat and easy to drive, circumventing around Jebal, revealing the geological richness of the mountains. What looks like bare rocks are actually full of details and information on the local evolution of the earth. Some 90 million years ago, as a result of tectonic shifts between the old Afro/Arabian and Asian plates, the crust and deep mantle of the Indian ocean were

pushed upwards. This ongoing obduction and subduction process created a massive structure of various rock formations; ophiolites, metamorphosed ocean sediments, limestones, Hawasina and other exotic sediments all piling up vertically, before eroding rapidly, and falling under sea level again, where shallow marine sediments began to cover it. Then 30 million years ago, during the late Oligocene, a new and still active uplift re-exposed the Rocky Mountains we see and explore today.

A quick survey of the rocks in Wadi Salil for example, shows how violent the overall process must have been. A violence diffused over such an extended period of time that we cannot relate to it, our lives spanning for only the blimp of a second on this particular time scale!

Those million years is the time it took the rare waters to carve out in the limestone those magnificent wadis I am driving through today and will be trekking along tomorrow - Shab, Tiwi, Al Abriyyin – with at the end of them, as they reach the shores, small and sleepy fishing towns, with an unsuspected rich history. Hard to imagine that Quriyat and Qhalat, were once filled with merchant ships unloading their abundant cargos from India and Asia, in exchange for Arabian horses, spices and other precious goods, before it was ransacked and burned to the ground by the Portuguese invaders in 1507. To get a better feel for those past splendors and glories, I spent my first two evenings reading the detailed descriptions of Ibn Battuta, who may have spent his nights on the same white sandy beach I am camping on now, some 650 years ago.

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My third day on the trail is when things become interesting as far as true off-roading is concerned. Time to climb up the Salmah plateau. There is a simpler way to reach up, but why settle for easy when you can conquer the challenging? Omani engineers tend to prefer direct solutions. Forget the curving back and forth of traditional European mountain roads, trying to climb gradually.

Here we aim straight to the top, regardless of elevation percentages. A rocky, narrow and vertical stretch of dirt on the side of a cliff is what I am now facing, second guessing my motivations.

beats too fast. Afraid to look down, trying to pass as close as possible without touching, hoping that it is enough for me not to fall to certain death.

As I reach his window, here he is on the phone, smiling. His kid is jumping on his laps, laughing.

• Phone signal!! You go!

Just as I begin to reconsider there arrives an old Toyota pick-up who’s seen better days. In the front cab a local shepherd, his wife and their small child. On the back platform, two goats and a full tank of water bringing the truck’s suspensions to its knees.

We smile at each other, and despite our language limitations, exchange few words regarding the condition of the track.

• Good ?

• Good !

I let him go first to see how he handles the rocks and gulley’s, then follow in pursuit my mind more at ease. But after bouncing his truck around without mercy, almost losing one of the goats in the process, he slows down and then comes to a full stop as we reach about half the climb. He, whom I was counting on for help, could now need mine!!

After a moment that seems to last forever, he sticks his arm out his window and waves for me to pass him. This is when you start to sweat. My hands become humid, my heart

Interesting spot for an obviously funny conversation with a friend or a relative. I wouldn’t blame them for making fun of me, as I’m probably hiding my stress level very poorly.

The rest of the climb is going smoothly, in a vertical way. And in sharp contrast the top is all flat and bold, baked by a sun without mercy.

In the distance, herds of goats shepherded by women, roam around dispersed bushes for food. Here and there, tucked in small Wadi hamlets populated by a family or two, where, despite the isolation and with close to no resources at all, they have managed to survive that way for millenniums.

Evidence of that ancient presence are the stunning beehive tombs erected throughout the plateau. Built some 5000 years ago, in the same configuration as the other tombs found throughout the mountains, it shows the interaction all those tribes had between one another, and how closely related the population of those areas where. Sharing the same beliefs, values, customs and rituals despite the distances and natural barriers. As I pause to admire the site, Egyptian vultures fly above in circles, breaking for a moment the overall solitude I came for.

The other attraction on the plateau is the Majlis al Jinn cave. The second largest cave of its kind in the world, discovered in 1983

by Don Davidson and his wife Cheryl Jones.

Where, with the necessary experience and the right gears, you can descend and explore a truly unique setting.

The rest of the drive along the mountainous tracks on my way back down towards Wadi Bani Khalid is a succession of various shades of beiges and browns, layered in tormented rock formations, all stunning for he who takes the time to admire the subtle nuances they exhibit. Later on, guided by the last rays of daylight, I’ll enter a completely new geological world, and look for a campsite in the first sand dunes of the Wahibah sands, my next Omani exploration. ■ Website www.ostandcurious.com Instagram www.instagram.com/paulrobida/ @paulrobida Twitter www.twitter.com/LostnCurious @Lostncurious

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TRAVEL & ADVENTURE

SEVENTH ANNUAL CITIZEN SCIENCE EXPEDITION TO THE DDCR IMPRESSES WITH RARE FINDINGS Words + Photos by: Biosphere Expeditions

January 2018 saw Biosphere Expeditions’ seventh annual citizen science expedition to and in collaboration with the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR).

Participants from all over the world helped to collect ecological data on rare desert species.

This will help DDCR management to define conservation management objectives in the future. Greg Simkins, the DDCR’s manager, says that ”Biosphere Expeditions not only provides us with an opportunity to engage with citizen scientists from a variety of countries to highlight our conservation work. Our joint annual survey expedition also enables us to make a rapid assessment of important species and their distribution within the DDCR each year”.

Expeditioners assessed Arabian oryx, Arabian and sand gazelle populations, monitored the status of fox dens, mapped plant distribution, set live and camera traps, and recorded fauna by observation.

Camera traps took over 4.500 pictures including several of the cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus), a bird species that has only ever been recorded in the UAE on

three occasions. In total over fifty species of birds, mammals, reptiles and plants were recorded by the expedition team.

Expedition leader Malika Fettak says that “this was a very successful expedition working with enthusiastic people that share a common goal. Everyone on the team put a lot into the project and was rewarded with fantastic results of two live captures of Arabian red fox and the exceptionally rare proof of cinereous vulture within the DDCR.” Andy Trace, a citizen science participant from the UK, agrees: “I really felt

like a scientist and I am certain our efforts are going to help the DDCR’s conservation goals.”

Early examination of the expedition results suggest that Arabian oryx and Arabian fox populations in the DDCR are healthy and continuing to expand. A detailed report of the expedition findings will be published in August 2018. Biosphere Expeditions and the DDCR look forward to many more annual survey expeditions to help wildlife and conservation in the unique place that is the DDCR. ■

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TRAVEL & ADVENTURE

Words + Photos by: Denise Ostermann

After a trip to Nepal a couple of years ago, I did not think that I would be coming back here with the intention to cycle in the Himalayas.

It has been a quick decision and before I could understand I found myself with a couple of friends on the way to Sharjah airport from where the flight would take us to Kathmandu. A hustle and bustle at the airport and a bit of a chaos in finding our luggage.

Surprisingly nothing got lost. Early the next morning the tour would begin. The selection of our bikes which would take us through the mountains and valleys, off road and through rivers has to be done carefully.

After the introductions given by our guide how to behave on the roads of Nepal we were already on the road making our way through the bustling streets of Kathmandu.

Traffic here can be pretty challenging especially when you are on a bicycle. Safety is priority and caution our companion for the next few days. From the area of Thamel we started our ride. Not really aware what we got ourselves into, it turned out to be a ride of total over 100km throughout the foothills of the Himalayas.

The first part took us through Sanu Thimi which is the vegetable growing region. But soon we rode along the Friendship Highway.

This street is connecting Lhasa in Tibet with Kathmandu and is part of the Chinese street of 5,476km. Knowing this, we were all thankful not to be going all the way! This turned

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out to be the easy part. Once we started climbing up the pass at Sanga we were not only facing the steep ascent but as well narrow and congested streets. Among carriages, pedestrians, scooters, cars and trucks we cycled twisting paths trying to avoid the potholes. Already forgotten about the tips our guide gave us in the beginning, we now only tried to stay alive. Along the way we already lost some of our companions due to the difficulties of the track. Sometimes those potholes turned into dirt roads.

The lunch in Dhulikhel was a well needed and rewarding break and this is where we met our lost friends again who were brought here by a pick-up truck. The views were stunning and for the first time we felt how worth this whole ride was. At the end of the day we finally reached our place for the night. A small ‘hotel’ hidden on the top of the mountains. Cycling the whole day behind cars and trucks the shower felt like a blessing. Washing off the exhaust fumes of the day was a big relief! After some delicious food for dinner we got some short but great sleep up high in the clouds.

Next day, early morning after a beautiful sunrise and a quick breakfast it was very difficult to put our sore behinds back on the saddle. At least this time it was mainly

downhill which was a bit of an ease! The first goal was a Buddhist Stupa where for a change we could give our behinds a small break and walk up the endless stairway to the monastery. A rewarding and breathtaking view was expecting us there over the valleys and the Himalayan Mountains! This is when we realized the seemingly endless route which is ahead of us for the day. Passing through many villages it was great to get an impression of the local people and their traditions. In one village we were even invited to be part of a wedding celebration getting a taste of this special event. It is amazing how well we were received even as complete strangers!

Having a hard time to breathe due to the combination of heat and exhaust fumes, the small rain showers here and there were a welcomed chance to cool down a little.

Getting closer to Kathmandu and the certainty of a refreshing shower brought up the excitement and gave us some boost for the last kilometres. Before heading back to the airport a delicious dinner feast was awaiting us with ethnic music and dance performances. Back in the plane we could not believe that we actually accomplished more than 100 kilometres on the bicycle mastering the steep mountain roads of Nepal’s Himalayas.

The feeling of this achievement put us to sleep, dreaming about this amazing experience. ■

$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

THE

OFF-ROADERS corner

Name: Mohammed Hunaidi Nationality: Jordan Occupation: Information Security Consultant Vehicle: Jeep Wrangler

Q. Tell us the background story of the car?

I took it from a stock, unused car that never had never been off-road and over 6 months converted it into an off-road monster!

Q. What modifications have been made, performance and cosmetic wise?

• 3.5 inch complete lift kit (Shock absorbers, springs, sway bars etc..).

• Snorkel with cold air intake system.

• Magnaflow catback and exhaust system • Diablo sport Trinity PCM dyno tuner.

• 35 inch mud terrain tires.

• Bead locks with wide rims.

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

The Trinity on board monitoring system and tuner is its best feature.

Q. What were your other options before you bought this car?

I could have a bought an FJ Cruiser, Nissan Patrol, F150 or a Land Cruiser.

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

I drive it weekly, Offroading mainly, Sand Surfing and sometimes Rock Crawling.

Q. Are you planning any future modifications?

I will change the gear ratio and install air lockers next.

Q. What 4x4 do you dream of owning?

A Marauder! ■

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Name: Salahudin Shahaltogh and my other half/wife Hanadi Omar Nationality: Jordanian Occupation: Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Vehicle: Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2013

Q. Tell us the background story of the car?

I started off-roading 20 years back in the UAE with a Jeep Cherokee, and since then I’m addicted to playing on the Sand with Jeeps. Cherokee 4L, Grand Cherokee V8, Liberty 3.7L Manual, Wrangler sport 3.6 Manual, and the Last one is the Commando Green Rubicon 2013!

Q. What modifications have been made, performance and cosmetic wise?

I did the basic modifications only; 2-inch Lift, 1.25’’ wheel spacers, larger Tires, Onboard twin Air Compressor, Steel front bumper, vented hood, High flow Intake and Exhaust, and Camouflaged Seat Covers.

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

I think the colour (Commando Green) which gives it a Military look. She doesn’t go fast but She can take me anywhere!

Q. What were your other options before you bought this car?

I’m always in LOVE with Jeeps. It’s a Jeep thing, You will not understand!

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

Although we got the Grand Cherokee as a family car and for long travels, the Wrangler is my daily use Vehicle. And as my wife got excited to learn desert driving and dune bashing as well, we use the Rubi for weekly off-roading trips, holidays, special events and adventures.

I’m a Marshal & Safety Manager at AD 4X4 Club.

Q. What 4×4 do you dream of owning?

We are living our dream as we own a Jeep, although my wife is leaning towards the Land Rovers, and I don’t mind dreaming also about the Mercedes-Benz G63 4X42! ■

Q. Are you planning any future modifications?

My current Rubi is for someone else to take care of, my plan now is the Rubi 2018!

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!

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HABITUALLY HEALTHY

I CAUGHT A COBIA! Words by: Robert Jahn

It’s exciting isn’t it? You’ve got about 90 meters of line out from the reel, proper bait on the hook. Suddenly you feel the nibble on the bait. You wait for a few seconds before yanking the rod up. BOOM! Hooked one!

At The Cycle Bistro, our menu boasts a number of seafood dishes, with locally caught Kingfish in our Patra Ni Machi. Or divulge in our Grilled Salmon, Shrimps Galore and our favourite - Taco with fish all featured in our refreshed menu this month.

Fishing is amazing in the UAE The diversity of superior fish species either for catch and release, or for eating, is extraordinary.

One of the best examples of this is the Cobia. In countries like the USA, Cobia is often

overlooked. Containing a large number of bones, it requires a little more effort to clean than maybe something like a snapper or grouper, but it’s well worth the effort. Especially if you’ve just caught the fish yourself!

That’s about as primal as it can get these days, and makes for a cool story with bragging rights at the dinner table! Imagine telling all your mates, “Oh by the way, I just caught that fish myself”. You’ll be sure to get a few “ooohs” and “ahhhhs”.

Of course, the million Dirham question is what to do with that big monster of a Cobia that’s now on ice in your cool box? Easy, make oven baked Cobia with a caper and tomato vinaigrette served with a side of daikon radish salad! ■

RECIPE FOR 2 PORTIONS For the Fish

• 2 Cobia filets of about 200g each • Salt • Pepper • 50g caper berries • 2 local tomatoes • 20g olive oil • 15g apple cider vinegar • ½ bunch of parsley, finely chopped Brush the Cobia filets with some olive oil, season with salt and pepper and then put on a baking tray lined with a non-stick butter paper. Bake at 170c for 35 minutes.

While the fish is in the oven, cut the tomatoes into quarters, remove the inside and cut the remaining outer shell into small cubes. Combine the tomato with the

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capers and the chopped parsley and then add salt, pepper, olive oil, and the cider vinegar. Stir and set aside until the fish is done.

For the Daikon Salad

• 1 large white Daikon radish • 80g Quinoa, follow packet instructions • 10g Dijon mustard • 20g olive oil • 15g white vinegar • ½ bunch of chives, finely chopped Peel and grate the Daikon radish, combine with the quinoa. Whisk together all other ingredients to make the vinaigrette.

Combine all together and set aside until serving.

Located at The Cycle Bistro, Dubai Motor City Call: 04 425 3000 Website: www.thecyclebistro.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

Irico™ Men’s Long Sleeve Shirt

Titan Peak™ Men’s Short

Available at Columbia stores across the region

Available at Columbia stores across the region

Features • Omni-FREEZE ZERO™ sweat activated super cooling • Omni-WICK™ • Vented • Roll-up sleeve • Zippered chest pocket • Zip-closed security pocket

Features • Omni-SHIELD™ advanced repellency • Omni-SHADE™ UPF 50 sun protection • 4-way comfort stretch • Bonded seams • Integrated removable belt • Partial elastic at waist • Zippered hand pockets • Zip-closed security pocket • Gusset detail

Fabrics • Omni-Freeze ZERO Vent-Air Mesh • 100% polyester

Fabrics • 90% nylon / 10% elastane double weave

For Women

Conspiracy™ III Titanium Outdry

Conspiracy™ III Titanium

Available at Columbia stores across the region

Available at Columbia stores across the region

Features • Pinnacle multi-sport footwear with advanced technology to keep you going all day

Features • Pinnacle multi-sport footwear with advanced technology to keep you going all day

Upper • An engineered mesh protected with Columbia’s patented OutDRY™ waterproof membrane with asymmetrical lacing, welded overlays and printed rubber on the toe

Upper • An engineered mesh protected with Columbia’s patented OutDRY™ waterproof membrane with asymmetrical lacing, welded overlays and printed rubber on the toe

Midsole • TECHLITE™ midsole, superior cushion, high energy return Fluid FRAME™ multidensity underfoot support

Midsole • TECHLITE™ midsole, superior cushion, high energy return Fluid FRAME™ multidensity underfoot support

Outsole • Omini-GRIP™ high traction rubber • Omini-GRIP™ non-marking high traction sticky rubber in forefoot for maximum traction

Outsole • Omini-GRIP™ high traction rubber • Omini-GRIP™ non-marking high traction sticky rubber in forefoot for maximum traction

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PRODUCTS STX TOURER Inflatable 11’6”x32”x6” (270L)

- Included: Paddle, Repair kit, Pump, Backpack

2,999 AED Available at www.kitesurfsup.com For inquiries, please email or call: enquiries@kitesurfsup.com +971 (0) 55 935 2735 | +971 (0) 55 190 4895 Features • Stainless steel leash D-ring • Dual layers on Deck, underside and rails construction • Centre carry handle • Easy slide in fin secured with push-in pin, no tools required • Bow cargo net • Quick fit fin, no tools required • Rugged EVA deck covering Package Contains • SUP Board • Double Action Pump • 3-Piece Adjustable Alloy Paddle • Slide-in Fin • Repair Kit • Carry Bag STX SUP Inflatable • Length = 11’6” • Width = 32” • Depth = 6” • Volume = 295L • Fin setup = 1 slide-in Fin & 2 thrusters

900 AED

Available at www.kitesurfsup.com For inquiries, please email or call: enquiries@kitesurfsup.com +971 (0) 55 935 2735 | +971 (0) 55 190 4895 Features The Brunotti Boxter is made from bamboo. The particular shape of the Boxter makes it a great all-round board. The extra width of the Boxter makes it great for dancing.

From the shallow concave, the kick-ends over to the length of the board it let’s you do a bit of it all. Grips on light hills and lets you push it into a slide - While still letting you do freestyle tricks when cruising in the city.

Type: Freestyle deck: Bamboo; Concave, Kicktail 5: varnished;/bearings: ABEC 7 ball bearings Stainless steel spacer wheels trucks/wheels: Slide Rwheels 70 mm/83 A Max. User Weight approx.

99kg Dimensions (L x W): 100 x 25.5 cm Colours: Orange

Sunrise Triangle Camping Chair, Mint Green

Coghlan’s Egg Holder in Yellow 12 eggs

Available at Al-Futtaim ACE stores and online at www.aceuae.com

Available at Al-Futtaim ACE stores and online at www.aceuae.com

Description The Sunrise Triangle Camping Chair is stylish and comfortable at the same time. Use of 600 denier polyester fabric offers long lasting functionality. This chair features high strength steel tube frame that makes it durable. The pink coloured Sunrise Triangle Camping Chair has a flexible elastic strap support that provides great comfort.

The Coghlan’s egg holder accommodates up to 12 eggs, providing a convenient way of packing eggs for outdoor events.

It is made from virtually unbreakable plastic that won’t crush the eggs and promises years of use. The molded handles are specifically designed for easy carrying. The holder can be easily cleaned in the dishwasher.

169 AED

48

Brunotti Boxter Longboard (One Colour)

OUTDOORUAE

20 AED

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PRODUCTS Garberg Black Carbon

Eldris 2018 edition

Available at Al Sayad hunting equipment

Available at Al Sayad hunting equipment

A Carbon steel Garberg. The carbon steel enables you to start your fire with flint as well as with a fire starter.

It also makes it possible to sharpen your knife in the field, for maximum convenience.

A unique collector’s Limited edition of our favorite Eldris. The knife is made in a limited amount and is available during 2018.

The 2018 Limited Edition is set to be the first of many future colors, where every edition will have a high collector’s value.

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OUR EXPERTS

Anatomy of a Rollover Words by: Marina Bruce Photos by: Mike Nott

YouTube is full of videos about them but Offroad Clubs never talk publicly about them because,“what happens in the desert, stays in the desert.” Yet,very occasionally, Offroad drivers find their cars on their roof, wondering what happened! I think it is important to acknowledge that rollovers happen, how to reduce the risk of them occurring, and what action to take when they do.

There are two main types of rollover:

The forward roll, usually caused by someone coming over a crest too fast and slamming on their brakes. This can cause the front wheels to dig deep into the sand and flip the car head over heels all the way to the bottom of the slope. Sometimes when the sand is very soft this can occur without even braking, so it is always safest to pop over crests at slower speeds and in complete control of your car. I always tell my guests that I would rather winch them off a dune 10 times than they go too fast and have an accident!

The second common type is a sideways roll, and this is often caused by going too slow or losing control when side-sloping.

Side-sloping is considered an advanced maneuver and is best left for experienced Offroaders, but sometimes even they get it wrong. It requires precise application of

power as well as experience to know when to turn down. The club I founded a few years back, “Oasis Offroad” in Al Ain runs 101 trips to coach their members in the fine art of cross cresting and side-sloping, after they have become competent in offroading basics.

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It is not perpetual sunshine out in the desert and sometimes it rains heavily, which increases the risk when side-sloping. If you are in a convoy, the first and second cars should be fine. However, they will break through the wet crust causing subsequent cars to sink into the soft sand below, slowing their progress. The wheels can be so deep into the sand that turning down may be impossible and once stopped, the buildup of sand on the down slope provides a perfect tipping point.

How to reduce the risk of a rollover happening to you?

Follow a competent leader who will tailor the drive to your ability and who can talk you through any tricky bits!

Learn to walk before you can run. I have seen many drivers who can perform high side-sloping and advanced manoeuvres yet who cannot self-recover themselves out of a stuck or do not know what to do if something goes wrong! Learning to self-recover teaches you about the weight distribution of the car and where it’s centre of gravity lies.

All this helps identify when you’re getting into trouble and should do something to correct the problem.

Never try to fight gravity – it will always win!

Turn down! There are many YouTube videos of rollovers and most have one thing in common. Had the driver turned his steering quickly so the engine is facing directly downhill, the rollover would never have happened!

Always wear your seatbelt when the car is moving. I have never seen Offroaders badly hurt when recreational offroading, possibly because all the people I drive with wear their seatbelt whenever their car is moving.

In the case of a mishap, the driver and occupants will likely be shocked and maybe a little bruised but able to walk away. That advice is especially important for rollovers - the last thing you want is to be ejected from the

vehicle and have a two-ton truck rollover you.

If the worst happens?

Approach the car carefully – make sure it cannot roll over onto the rescuers. Check the occupants are ok – tell them to sit still and not move. If you suspect a back/neck or any other serious injury, it may be best to let the professionals extract them from the car.

This may take some time so be prepared to set up shade and ensure that they remain hydrated.

If injuries are slight, remove the occupants having first ensured that the vehicle has been stabilized by tying a strop to it in such a way that a second vehicle can apply tension to it.

If the vehicle hasn’t sustained serious damage, get the car back onto its four

wheels as soon as you can. You might be able to drive it out if you are not too far from a track or road and have it recovered without specialized help. Let the car stand for a while, maybe 45-60 minutes, to let the oils and fluids drain back to where they should be.

Mark the spot of the accident on your GP Sand take lots of photos. You will definitely need a police report to allow your car to be put on the back of a recovery truck/repaired, and if it is an insurance claim then the police will likely want to see the spot where it happened.

Check the oil levels before attempting to start the car – with luck it will start and you can drive it to the roadside. Wait for the police and once you have your report then call a recovery truck to take your car to car hospital! ooOoo Now please do not let this article put you off going to the desert - if you add up every Offroad kilometre driven by all the Offroaders in the country and compare it to the number of rollovers, you will find that it is quite a rare event.

Wishing you all many safe, enjoyable and trouble-free days in the desert! ■

Social Media Facebook: /DesertDivaUAE Twitter: @15shadesofsand Insta: thedesertdivame Blog: thedesertdiva.com

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OUR EXPERTS

Words + Photos by: Kit Belen

I have been fortunate enough to fish with a lot of good fishermen, and more importantly, learn a lot from them.

Good Fishermen is a very loose term, one could be “good” while others frown upon your methods. Some actually are pretty good but don’t use the kind of methods the others are using and are quickly surmised as someone who doesn’t know how to fish.

Some people are really good with bait, while others are wizards with lures, some are good at both, though as fishermen, they might not entirely agree with each other.

Over the years, I’ve learned a lot from the both the most obvious people and the ones that are the least obvious to learn from. We all learn different things –learning is everywhere and keeping an open mind to methods and techniques others use to gain advantage is something we all need to improve our craft.

A Cast from the Past

While fishing the piers of Cebu in Philippines, a long time ago, I noticed a man with a hand line walking from one place to another, he looked like he was looking for something.

Rigged in his hand line are a small weight and a live shrimp. Since you could almost always get away with anything as a young boy, I did the most obvious thing – I asked.

He answered with one word – buwan-buwan, that’s the local name for Oxeye Tarpon.

Up until that point, I didn’t really know what

Elbow grease gets you somewhere - after all, you have to get them to eat first

he was talking about, and a minute later, just a few meters after he passed me, I saw him drop his line and was immediately on to a fish. My immediate reaction was that of annoyance. I was sitting there with a rod in my hand for close to two hours and here comes a guy just walking around and starts catching fish. So the next thing to do was to try and do the same thing he does and break the monotony! While I did exactly what he did with my rod, my success rate was quite low, asking a few more questions, I managed to pry some information out of him

– my leader was too thick. I changed leaders and started hooking them, but keeping them on the hook was the problem, since he was gut hooking most of his fish, I didn’t feel the need to ask him how he does it – the process of hooking these fish well took me about a year to learn. It was worth it – I learned a lot about the tackle I was using and how it worked, the timing of setting the hook and even down to how I hooked the bait – everything had to work in unison and everything had to work as a single unit.

A few years ago, I went through a similar situation with a few friends when we learned how to target flounder. Since there was no one to ask, we literally had to piece everything together and find a way to target the fish with lures. After about a year, we figured out exactly which time of the year they were most abundant in, when they left for the season, the best tides and the best lures to use for them.

It’s always fun learning new methods to catch fish, although it gets very costly, catching the same fish with different tackle makes you realize that things are more complicated than they really are – sometimes, what you already know is the easiest way but often times, you discover an even more effective method to catch a specific fish.

Producing in Tough Times

Not giving up even when conditions are tough leads to gold

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In the recent Columbia Adventure Academy, someone asked a question that actually got me thinking – “How would you know when you are already a good enough fisherman?” he said it’s so easy to think they already know what they’re doing since they were catching a lot of fish, but what is their guarantee that as soon as they fish on their own, they would catch the same amount of fish.

Knowing what your tackle does can produce surprising results

I answered – “It’s really difficult to say someone is good, when you fish in an area with a lot of fish – should you have a chance to fish with the same person when the fishing is tough or in a place like Asia where the fishing pressure is high and the fish few and far in between, If he still consistently catches, then it would be safe to assume he knows what he is doing.”

What I didn’t mention is the fact that people who consistently produce in tough situations have a few things that separate them from the pack – for one, more than likely; their tackle is fully tuned to their fishing style and they would be able to last a very long time to be able to get to that fish.

They don’t rely on luck, but on methods that produce for them consistently – this varies from person to person, but more than likely, they would be able to make a method they know work for a given situation, it could be a change of hooks, the addition of a little flash, colour choices, lure size, lure selection, fishing speed or a combination of those mentioned.

A layer above that is the realm of professional angling. I often put things in an analogy that most people would understand – cars.

We drive one everyday and often times,

When times are tough, go with methods that you know will produce

we’re very confident of what we know about our individual cars. Imagine a person that drives just like us, but know all the functions of the car and use those functions to the fullest in their everyday driving, and on top

of that, are mechanics and engineers of the specific car they are driving. That's probably the closest thing I can compare what they are with.

Add to the fact that professionals are very limited (often just one brand) to what they can use, and you see how much apart they are from everyone else. So seeing one up close making use of only one lure for the whole day and producing something big in a very tough situation is something else.

Given that their technique is already perfect and their approach relentless, the main thing that separates them is their drive to produce results.

But I asked anyway - “What is your secret?” his answer was straight to the point: “Because I have to, it is my job, there’s no excuse.” ■

Till next tide change,

Kit

From dawn till dusk, never giving up

Our fishing pro who shares his experiences and expertise with OutdoorUAE through his regular column. thefishingkit@gmail.com

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OUR EXPERTS

The first Ecotrail in Italy conditioned by bad weather. Due to bad weather the 80km route was cut Words by: Nico de Corato Photos by: DubaiBlog, Canofotosports, Studio SAB

Ecotrail in Florence, Italy, officially begun with the start of the 13km night the fifth edition of the Florence Urban Trail but also with a bad news: 80 Km route has been deleted for safety reason and all the runners were diverted to the 42km race.

While getting this news and collecting the BIB number for the shorter route, a nice coincidence: a was giving my Emirates ID to be identified and close to me another runner coming from Dubai! And so we started speaking Emirati miles away from home.

He was also ready to run the 13+80Km but organizers had to give priority to our safety.

Together with other 600 runners of the night race, we stated from Piazzale Michelangelo to the streets of the center, lighting them with our front lamps, crossed the

Boboli Gardens, continued towards San Miniato through the alleys and Florentine streets less known but full of charm. The third edition of the Florence Urban Walking

was also part of the 13 km by night itinerary, a 10 km route dedicated to walkers. The Urban Trail and Ecotrail tracks have a very low impact on city traffic.

After some hours sleeping, on Saturday morning we were ready to face the 42 km throughout Florence and its beautiful hills: Settignano, Fiesole, Monte Ceceri.

350 athletes at the start in Piazzale Michalangelo. And I was with them; or - better - we were with them, since a friend of mine (Donato) joined me in facing this race.

Conditions were similar to one year ago when I attended the Firenze Urban Trail (13 + 45 Km): pouring rain, mud everywhere, countless climbing, determination to pursue, nice people, breath-taking views. Compared to my previous participation a significant difference... I became father of gorgeous princess: Adelaide Jasmine Laura who was waiting for me at home together with the mother.

In the evening I didn’t push hard, I managed to deliberately follow a slow pace, in order not to stress my legs and save my energy for the following day. And also in

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the first part of the 42 km I decided not to push, knowing it could become very hard in the second part of the race; but despite everything I had a moment of crisis between km 28 and km 32. I was not able to run, I could only walk. After reaching the refreshment and eating, I was able to restart; so I had probably a failure in my power supply schedule. But I also know that I'm facing very hard period with my job, traveling a lot and sometimes missing trainings and proper diet. So in this condition also to complete the race within the cutoff time and without injuries it's a great victory.

The 42 km is won on a par by Andrea Macchi, Eolo Team and Stefano Rinaldi, 100% Anima Trail with a time of 3 hours, 15 minutes and 42 seconds. Third place Giovanni Tacchini, Team Valetllina Asd with 3 hours, 17 minutes and 17 seconds.

First classified women, Lisa Borzani, Technical Team -Bergamo Stars with a time of 3 hours 57 minutes and 15 seconds, followed

by Francesca Pretto, Atletica Vicentina with a time of 4 hours 6 minutes and 27 seconds, third place Maria Elisabetta Lists, Team Born - Italy / Hoka One One with a time of 4 hours16 minutes and 13 seconds.

During the 42 km race, due to a mistake of the trailblazers, the 3 runners in first position chose a wrong route. Two of them retired, while the other arrived at the finish line after having accumulated a considerable delay. "We apologize for this incident and take full responsibility - explains Simone Brogioni, race director - without taking anything away from the first arrivals, we want to emphasize that the 3 runners victims of our mistake, Davide Cheraz, Riccardo Borgialli, Gabriele Pace, dominated the race until the moment of the wrong route, proving to deserve the final victory ".

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Finally, the demanding Ultra challenge, the combined 13 km + 42 km, was won by Lorenzo Naldi, Scandicci Bridge ASD team with the time of 4 hours, 45 seconds and 7 seconds (men) and by Jessica Green with the time of 6 hours, 25 minutes and 50 seconds (women) We report below also the official ranking of the Florence Urban Trail 13km by night:

Men 1. Alberto Tacconi di Luivan with 56 minutes and 46 seconds 2. Kadija Rigers of the Italian Sport Lab with 57 minutes and 42 seconds 3. Fabio Polloni with 57 minutes and 52 seconds Women 1. Erika Foschini, Zero Positivo with 1 hour 5 minutes and 49 seconds 2. Francesca Biagini, U.S. Ship A.S. with 1 hour 6 minutes and 1 second 3. Francesca Rossi, Sports Club with 1 hour 10 minutes and 15 seconds â–

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OUR EXPERTS

Words by: Daniel Birkhofer

No matter how experienced you are, getting stuck will be part of your routine and it is a topic you should make yourself familiar with.

Getting stuck is often a result of a lack of experience and a good driver, will manage to get your car moving again only by his driving experience, feeling for the sand and the car. But as you progress with your driving skills, you will also venture into more challenging terrain, so getting stuck will be your constant companion even if it is not yourself who is getting stuck, you will help others.

There are two major topics you can separate this subject into - 1. Self recovery and 2. Recovery with another vehicle. You should train in and know both topics. Most of the time people will always use the easier way and use another vehicle to get the car out of a stuck but in some situations, it is hard to get a vehicle in a good position for a recovery so it is important to know how you can get your car out with alternative techniques. Also if you learn the art of self recovery, you will keep the stress to your car to a minimum but it might take some time

and elbow grease. I call it an art since I have seen avid off-roaders who manage to get cars out of such serious situations that you will first think they need to be airlifted out!

You could write a whole book about getting stuck and recovery since situations can vary a lot, so there is not a one fit all solution which makes it also so hard to newbies to figure out which is the best way. In this article we will just scratch the surface and we will introduce some common practices.

We will skip the part on how you got stuck in the first place and we will jump right in, when the car is not moving anymore!

No matter where and how you get stuck, the first thing to do is once the car is not moving anymore to get out of the car and assess the situation. Often people keep spinning their tires and make the situation only worse, so as soon as you have zero momentum forward or backwards, stop, assess and come up with a plan:

1. Self Recovery

Gravity: Firstly check if you might be able to back up or manage to go right or left.

This usually works if you are on an incline so gravity (which you should always use to your advantage) can help you getting the car moving again.

Tire pressure: Then check your tire pressure. If you have not deflated your tires at all or only a little, deflate them more, this can just give you this extra traction you need to get the car out. You can go down to as low as 10PSI (usually you should be at 15-20PSI in sand) Pushing: If you drive a small 4x4 or you are not stuck badly a little bit of elbow grease and a few helping hands will be enough just get a few people to push the car and the extra man power in addition to the horsepower of your car might be enough to get the car free and moving again.

Shovel: Even though a shovel is one of the oldest tools mankind is using it remains very effective. Try to remove sand in front of your tires in the direction you want to recover the car (this might be reverse). Sometimes moving a few shovels of sand can be magic but other times, you need to dig a lot e.g. if you are stuck on a crest. You should again not forget gravity and keep in mind that sand can shift. If you are on a slip face, make sure you dig from a safe position and you should never go under the car. In complicated situation, you need a good plan and experience where and how much sand to move otherwise it can turn into an endless task, where the car and sand will always shift and fill up the sand you just cleared. Especially during the hot months its recommended to us gloves, wear land shorts and closed shoes to be protected from the hot sand.

Pushing - a few helping hands are sometimes enough to recover a car

Sand Track

Sand Track

If stuck on a slope sideways it is usually possible to drive out without help downwards the slop

Air Jack for recovery

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Weight Balance: Once you have assessed the situation you might recognize that the car is not stuck evenly and changing the weight balance of the car might give you the traction needed to get out. You might want to try to unload the car and ask passengers to get out (getting people out of the car is always a good idea if you do a self recovery). If this is not enough, ask passengers to get on one side of the car (e.g. on a side step or a bumper) but put more weight on the side where the tires seem to have no or little contact with the ground. One other technique which needs more than one person to help is to rock the car from one side to another. In both cases the driver needs to try to gently get the car moving and drive out.

Drive modes: As mentioned in earlier articles it is essential that you know your car and the drive modes. Assess if/which tires are spinning or not moving at all. Depending on your car you can engage options like differential locks or low ratio gears to optimise your cars behaviour for the given situation.

Specialized recovery gear: there are a range of specialized recovery aids, like sand tracks, jacks, sand anchors, sand shoes and many more. But all these tools are for more advanced drivers.

2. Recovery with another vehicle

Pulling: The most popular common practice is to pull out a car with a recovery strap. These straps are especially made for recovery and you should buy a decent one which can sustain the load of a heavy 4x4.

You should not use chains or metal wires for recovery since they are very dangerous

Recovery strap with metal shackles

MARCH 2018 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

Crest stuck - trying to leverage weight

if they break. A recovery strap has usually some flexibility in it to buffer hard hit and/ or to store kinetic energy which helps to recover the car in a safe way and with minimal stress to the car. Ideal are also soft shackles and not metal ones, metal ones can as well be a potential risk if they break compared to soft shackles. You should also know where the recovery points are to find on your car at the front and rear.

The stuck car should always be pulled out in the direction that both cars can drive out easily, so never pull uphill or towards an obstacle. Ideally the pulling car should be equal or of higher weight than the stuck car.

Especially on flat terrain you should be careful not to get the pulling car stuck as well. I would usually not recommend it but in some situations it is necessary to accelerate with

Soft shackle

Sand anchor for winching

the pulling car and a loose strap to give a hard hit to the stuck car to get out instead of pulling slowly and gently. Especially if you use the first method, you need be sure your gear will withstand the force. No matter on the recovery situation with any type of strap, people should always be clear of the strap and as far away as possible - don't forget there is force of a few tons in action which can seriously injure or even kill a person.

Winching: Is one of the best ways to recover a car but only a few cars are equipped with winches. With a winch you are able to gently and slowly pull out at car and this even from places you would not be able to pull the car out with a normal recovery strap.

If you search the web or YouTube, you can find many ways of recovery some of them very creative but not always safe. The techniques mentioned here are the most common ones in sand but often you will need to combine some of the techniques. The best way to do that is to learn it first rather than facing a situation and then try to do it with trial and error. Join one of the many 4x4 clubs in the region and do with them newbie drives or recovery workshops, alternatively ask some experienced drivers amongst your friends, to take you out for some recovery lessons. If you have a better understanding of how to get your car out of a stuck, then more relaxed and confident you will be to drive in sand. â–

The book you can buy online or call: www.outdooruae.com/guidebook +971 4 446 8473 | +971 55 939 8915

OUTDOORUAE Pulling sometimes it is necessary to pull a car reverse

57

What Women Want Have a target, a goal, a vision...

Words by: Nicky Holland (Personal Trainer)

One of the main downfalls in people achieving their goals is that they don't see themselves achieving them. That could be down to the Goal being set unrealistically due to the amount of work needed or in the timeframe it takes to achieve it. Alternatively, it could be down to the lack of confidence and self belief. Remember, results don't happen over night. You need to be consistent.

This article will be able to help you with that.

Many women want to look good. They want to feel confident going out with friends, fit into that tight fitted dress, they want to make people jealous when they wear a bikini on holiday and walk along the beach. They want heads to turn when they elegantly walk passed in a nice restaurant. I'm sure you can all relate.

Like being a man, it's not easy. I'm joking.

What we experience is actually a viscous circle. We train hard to look good for an event, a wedding, a holiday etc then afterwards we let ourselves go a little bit by putting on weight, then we start to train hard again to look good. In an ideal world we would remain the same bodyweight and keep our perfect body shape all year round...but that's not the case.

In reality, women are faced with obstacles such as falling pregnant, being ill, not having the time to train to name a few. But we can still achieve a good physique and be happy with the way we look.

The Perfect shape

What is the Perfect shape?

What does that mean to you?

Close your eyes and visualise what you want.

Think of what you look like now and imagine the perfect you, what would you like to improve?

People will often choose to be like the models or celebrities they see on TV or in maga-zines. This is down to the misconception that we see. We are lead to believe, that the per-son looks like that 'all year round' which is not true.

For example, people don't see the intimating fasting, hardcore dieting, double PT ses-sions, make up and grooming, airbrushing, liposuction etc that takes place before appear-ing on TV or for a magazine shoot.

What have I learnt?

In my years of experience as a Personal Trainer and Fitness Professional in the industry, I have worked with lots of women of different ages, sizes and abilities. The majority of them that I have trained, want to lose weight or tone up. The area's where they want to target and focus on are • Legs (Thigh's) • Stomach • Arms (Back - Triceps) They want their legs to be thinner, their stomach to be flatter and the back of their arms not to be saggy.

However, recently, women want to gain too. They want a bigger, more curved, peachy bum. The narrow waist and bigger bum look means 'Growing the Glutes!'

Therefore, you must understand that as a woman, if you lift weights, you will not get big and muscular. This is a fear which puts people off resistance and weight training.

In order to become muscular, you must first increase your calorie intake and you must perform weights at a high volume. This is called Bodybuilding and takes years of practice, which will not occur when you are lifting weights or following this programme.…is a great reminder of the factors we need to think about when setting a goal. If we have something to aim for we are more likely to achieve. I will give you a basic analogy and make it Dubai specific. For example, you are in a desert, it is 45 degrees and you need to find shade. You look around but can’t find anything. Then you notice a tree in the distance.

You keep your eyes poised on the tree and walk directly towards it. Then you find your shade. During the walk you can track your progress as you start to get closer to your goal…which is the tree. You gain confidence and become motivated as you get closer and closer to what you want which is the shade. If you didn’t have anything to aim for, then you would have no direction. No structure, no plan or target. You may start by looking at the tree but you may get distracted. This means you lose focus, direction and it will take you longer to get to where you want. In fact, you would probably still be looking for that tree now, unless you came across it through perseverance or luck. Which we sometimes do, but having a structure for you goal shows consistency. That is the difference between achieving your goal once or achieving your goal more than once.

Training Programme

Here are some exercises which you can try, that will help you get fitter and stronger. It will also help you target the areas women want to improve.

You can do this workout on your own or with a partner.

Warm Up: 5-10 mins • Bike • Treadmill • Cross Trainer.

Stretch: All main muscles Main Session: 15-20 mins Cardio • Treadmill: Incline walk min of 5km/h at 3-8% gradient • Rower intervals: 100m row 30secs rest x10 sets • Cross Trainer: Steady pace Level 5-10 at 120spm

Resistance Legs

• Squats: 15-20 reps x3 sets. Start Bodyweight then progress to barbell • Glute bridge: 20 reps x3 sets, using both legs.

Progress to single leg • Split stance single leg Lunge: 10 reps each leg x3 sets. Start Bodyweight then progress to dumbbells in each hand

Stomach

• Plank: 30-45 seconds hold x3 sets • Side Oblique crunches: 10 reps each side x3 sets • Scissor Crossovers: 20-30 secs x3 sets, straight legs

Arms - Triceps

• Tricep dips: 20 reps x3 sets • Overhead extensions: 10-15 reps x3 sets with 5kg plate or dumbbell • Tricep kickback: 10 reps x3 sets each side with 3-5kg dumbbell Now to grow the bum or tone your Gluteus Maximus, you can follow the exercises below: • Lateral half squat walks: 10 steps right then 10 steps left x3 sets. Start Bodyweight then progress to using resistance band • Curtsy squat: 10 reps x3 sets each leg. Start Bodyweight then progress to using barbell • Kneeling reverse leg kick back: 10 reps x3 sets each side. Start Bodyweight then progress to resistance band.

Rest period between sets should be 30-60 seconds. When completing the resistance exercises, focus on the area you are working. Think about contracting the muscle each rep so you feel the movement and isolation. Keep the reps controlled and challenge yourself so you feel the burn on the last few reps or toward the end of the set. ■ Nicky Holland Personal Trainer Website: www.nicky-fitness.com Instagram: @nicky__fitness

PEOPLE

Name: Stewart Alan Howison Age: 43 Nationality: British / South African Profession: Managing Partner, Revolution Cycles, Dubai Words by: Bandana Jain Photos by: Supplied

The Dubai cycling scene has seen a paradigm change in recent years. State of the art cycling tracks are being constructed, more cycling races are conducted and the enthusiasm of participation is like never before.

Stewart Howison is a passionate cyclist who has not only witnessed but also contributed to Dubai’s robust cycling makeover.

He strongly believes that cycling is a way to clear his mind and start his day with a fulfilling dose of endorphins!

1. Trace your cycling journey from the time you started till present.

I got my first road bike at the age of eight and from then onwards, it has been a journey that followed me to the UAE. Having taken part in many social and club races over the years, I began to find that I had not only a passion for racing but I was also intrigued in the organizational side of races and how they are put together. My curiosity and my love for a challenge lead me to take a different role, more as a Race Director than an entrant.

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2. What has kept you hooked to cycling?

First of all, my love for the sport kept me hooked. Also, being the owner of a cycle shop here in Dubai –“Revolution Cycles Dubai”, kept me connected and involved in the sport. Generally speaking, running a business is a stressful job and for me cycling has always been a way to release tension and a great medium for keeping fit. Nothing helps clear my mind like a good bike ride!

3. You have been in UAE for a decade now. How has the UAE cycling scene evolved in this time frame?

Cycling here has certainly come a very long way. Earlier,cycling was seen mostly as an expat sport with very few local Emirati riders taking it as an option of social exercise.

Over the years, it’s so amazing to see the local social teams taking the sport to heart and making it their own. The support of the Royal family toward the cycling community has probably been the biggest driving force towards the success and growth of the sport.

I see more and more people every day on the track, from every walk of life, age and background. A lot more parents cycle with their children nowadays, using the amazing cycling track facilities.

4. According to you, what measures should be taken to get more people hooked to this two-wheeled activity like in many of the European countries?

I feel that Dubai is certainly leading the way on this and is on the right path. The RTA

has committed to more cycle tracks and paths and this is certainly the way to get more people on bikes. The safer we cyclists feel on bikes, the more we can ride and the more people will get on bikes.

5. How do you face the challenge of hot summers as far as cycling is concerned?

No matter where you are in the world, the fact is that there is never going to be 365 days of perfect weather to cycle. The conditions vary from snow and rain to hot and cold and it’s just a matter of changing how and when you ride. Obviously,here in the UAE in summer we either ride earlier or later in the day. The great thing about the cycling tracks is that we can even ride at midnight and still be safe. We certainly need to take into account that we prepare correctly with appropriate breathable clothing and supplements with loads of fluid (with electrolytes).

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6. Apart from the weather, any other challenges that cyclists face in UAE?

I would say like most developed and developing cities, the biggest issue here is the motorized traffic. Unfortunately, road users obviously don’t look out for cyclists as much as we want them to. Hence, we as cyclists just need to take extra care and be ultra visible and always think like the cars can’t see us.

7. Any memorable moment pertaining to cycling?

I recall cycling down the Al Qudra Road a few years back, when we were stopped by the RTA. I was thinking that we were in trouble for riding on the roads. We were advised that His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and the Ruler of the Emirate of Dubai, had seen cyclists on the road and he felt that

it was rather dangerous.

However, he did not want to ban cycling but rather wanted to encourage it, to the extent that he was planning to build a cycling track and I was asked if I could offer any advice on what would be good on this matter. In this way, I have started a long term relationship with the RTA and the Engineers Office to offer advice and support on the cycling tracks in many areas, such as Dubai Marina, Mirdif, Al Khawaneej, District One (Mohammed Bin Rashid City) and of course the Al Qudra Cycle Track.

8. Any targets to be accomplished?

I would like to do another Sub-3 Hour race in the Cape Town Cycle Tour, which is the largest cycle race in the World and takes place every year in Cape Town, South Africa with over 35,000 riders participating.

9. Any cycling event that you look forward to in near future?

I would like to take on a few races in the Alps. Probably “Raid Pyrenean,” which is one of Europe's greatest road cycling challenges.

10. Any wise words to encourage people into cycling?

If you have not yet taken a bike out for a weekend on one of the amazing cycle tracks in Dubai, you should. A whole new world of freedom and adventure awaits you! ■ Facebook: www.facebook.com/bandana.jain.58 Instagram: #bandanajain1726 Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/bandana-jain-397bb2156

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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

Automobiles

Subaru Showroom – Al Khoory Automobiles Sheikh Zayed Road, Between 3rd and 4th Interchange, Dubai, +971 43146214 or 43146218; Email: alkhoory@alkhoory.com, www.subaru-uae.com; Timings: Saturday to Thursday 9:30am to 8:00pm

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

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Manufacturer Al Fajer Marine, Dubai, Al Quoz,

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/ColumbiaME /ColumbiaSportswear_ME +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, 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

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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

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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

MARCH 2018 - 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,

MARCH 2018 - 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

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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

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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

ONLINE DIRECTORY