OutdoorUAE - September 2015

PIMP YOUR RIDE!

How to build the perfect 4x4

Arabian Dive Essentials Ride Em’ Cowboy!

The Calgary Stampede

Plenty of

PRODUCTS TO CHECK OUT

Price 10.00 AED 10.00 QAR 1.00 OMR

Splashdown:

COOLING DOWN QATAR STYLE

In Session:

GOPRO HERO4 SESSION REVIEW

Vol. 5, No. 9 September 2015

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

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OutdoorUAE Team

It is always hard to judge and anticipate what our diverse group of readers would enjoy reading and what they would not. Preferences and opinions vary a lot.

We usually try to focus on subjects that appeal to a wide target group and generally with OutdoorUAE we are lucky that the shared love for the outdoors is the connection between the ocean of readers and followers we have.

Since concerned feedback or even complaints are very rare, we usually choose wisely. However, it is inevitable that sometimes we decide to publish content that might separate and even polarize our readers, which we only find out after publishing. We want to unite and not divide our readers.

That said, myself personally and the whole team of OutdoorUAE wants to apologize if readers felt disturbed by three photos with hunting trophies that we published last month.

We never meant to concern readers with these images.

Daniel Birkhofer Founder and General Manager daniel@outdooruae.com

Given the recent rage in the media about hunting in Africa, we put unintentional fuel into a wildfire and received a lot of feedback.

It took us a long time to decide how to reply to all the feedback, since it became very clear that opinions on that subject are so far apart with in our readership, that we would never resolve it and ultimately would alienate some of our readers —that would be the last thing we want,especially since the inclusion of the photos were a rare and most likely unique occurrence. OutdoorUAE is not about hunting (except fishing which has been a part of OutdoorUAE since the first issue). We are also against trophy hunting or hunting endangered species, but we don’t see hunting in general as a bad thing if done correctly. With this in mind, the content of the magazine will be true to all previous issues and we will now be even more careful to not publish controversial photos.

I want to thank all of the concerned readers who contacted us in that regard. The magazine is for you and your opinions are important. We will always reply to your emails and are available to discuss concerns on the phone. Only if you share your opinion can we take action. We are certainly not able to make everyone happy but we can avoid upsetting readers, so we will take the greatest care in future to avoid making readers uncomfortable with ourcontent, even if others would like it. Thank you for your understanding and we hope that you will enjoy reading this issue of OutdoorUAE.

Editor For editorial content and press releases Tel: 04-447 2030 Mobile: 055 5760322 editor@outdooruae.com

Distributor Tawzea, Abu Dhabi Media Company P.O. Box 40401, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.

Sales & Marketing (advertisement enquiries) Tel: 04-447 2030 Mobile: 055 9398915 linda@outdooruae.com

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

Published by Outdoor UAE FZE In cooperation with A2Z EVENTS P.O. Box 215062 Dubai, U.A.E. Tel. 04-447 2030 contact@outdooruae.com www.outdooruae.com

© 2015 Outdoor UAE FZE Vol. 5, No. 9, September 2015

www.OutdoorUAE.com Facebook.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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© 2015 Outdoor UAE FZE Reg. at Creative City Fujairah P.O. Box 4422, Fujairah, U.A.E.

Eulogy van Dyk Editor Qatar eulogy@outdooruae.com

Keith Pereña Junior Editor & Social Media keith@outdooruae.com

Linda Turcerova Sales and Marketing linda@outdooruae.com

Jung Francisco Designer and Photographer jung@outdooruae.com

Katherine Cañedo Patangui Administration kathy@outdooruae.com

Ian Sebeldia Circulation ian@outdooruae.com

EXPERTS & CONTRIBUTORS Ian Ganderton Kayaker, climber, mountainbiker and snowboarder.

Enthusiastic jack of all trades, master of none

Marina Bruce The Desert Diva and off-road expert

Kit Belen Our fishing pro

Twitter.com/OutdoorUAE Instagram.com/OutdoorUAE

All contents are copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any form without prior written permission.

Rachael Bruford Travel Editor

Nico de Corato Diver and heli rescue swimmer with Bergamo Scuba Angels

Dan Wright Freelance wilderness guide in the UAE

Jake Lyle Diving and Watersport Expert

WHEN YOU’RE DONE READING, PLEASE RECYCLE!

Helle Bachofen Von Echt Elite Women Cyclist

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

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CONTENTS

12 SOUTH DOWNS 100

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14 THE REBREATHER CALLED “IT”

24 THE CALGARY STAMPEDE

EVERY ISSUE

TRAVEL + ADVENTURE

06 EVENTS CALENDAR 08 BEST SHOTS 10 OFF-ROADER’S CORNER: ALMOST4X4 42 PRODUCTS 70 DIRECTORY

18 ROCTRIP - GEYIKBAYIRI 24 THE CALGARY STAMPEDE 26 THE HONEY BADGER DIARIES 28 ELBRUS: LESSONS FROM MARY POPPINS AND MOTHER NATURE 32 TEST YOUR MIGHT: TROUT ON FLY

EVENT & ACTIVITY REPORTS

LIFESTYLE

12 SOUTH DOWNS 100 14 THE REBREATHER CALLED “IT” 16 CUSTOM SURFBOARDS

36 NATURAL HISTORY 38 ETHICS OF HUNTING 39 HABITUALLY HEALTHY

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47 POINT65 RUM RUNNER

50 DESERT READY DIVA!

62 MOHAMED HESHAM KAMEL

TRIED + TESTED

PEOPLE

40 GOPRO HERO4 SESSION 44 2XU GHST T-SHIRT AND SINGLET 47 POINT65 RUM RUNNER

62 MOHAMED HESHAM KAMEL 63 LINA ZOGHAIB

OUR EXPERTS

LOCATIONS

50 DESERT READY DIVA! – MARINA 52 DIVING ARABIA: THE ESSENTIALS – JAKE 54 MAKE A SPLASH IN QATAR - EULOGY 56 CASTING FAR FROM SHORE – KIT 58 WOMEN ON WHEELS – HELLE 60 DESERT RUNNING GEAR - NICO

64 THE OMANI STRETCH 66 NEW ROUTES FEATURE

TIPS + TRICKS 70 TRIATHLON FITNESS

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

EVENTS CALENDAR

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STAY UP-TO-DATE WITH THE LATEST EVENTS

SEPTEMBER 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 FEATURED EVENT

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ABU DHABI INTERNATIONAL HUNTING AND EQUESTRIAN EXHIBITION

The largest and most prestigious exhibition of outdoor activities, equestrian, and hunting that has been part of the UAE’s deep traditions.

When: September 9-12

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Where: ADNEC, Abu Dhabi

S E P T

SPINNEYS BUILD UP RIDE 1 OF 4

Get back on your bicycles and prepare for the Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge in this series of rides.

When: September 4 Where: Nad Al Sheba Cycle Park Contact: www.cyclechallenge.ae

Contact: www.adihex.net

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HH SHEIKH MANSOOR BIN ZAYED AL NAHYAN GLOBAL ARABIAN HORSE FLAT FESTIVAL 2015

A commemorative race series spanning six continents, the UAE leg sees riders vie for the Wathba Stud Farm Cup. Open only to Arabic horses of UAE breed.

When: September 9-12 Where: ADNEC, Abu Dhabi Contact: www.sheikhmansoorfestival.com

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SHEIKHA HIND WOMEN’S SPORTS TOURNAMENT

The only event dedicated to Emirati women encouraging sports and general well-being.

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12

THE JEBEL JAIS 1 HOUR RECORD CHALLENGE

Discover how far you can go on the tallest mountain of the UAE. When: September 12, 5:30 a.m.

Where: Ras al Khaimah Contact: www.premieronline.com

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Two fun events – a duathlon on one day and an aquathlon on the next and a relaxing rest afterwards.

When: September 17, 4:00 p.m.

Where: Jebel Jais and The Cove Rotana Contact: www.supertriuae.com

When: September 9-23 Where: Dubai World Trade Centre Contact: www.dubaicalendar.ae

SEPT

GO STRONG WARM UP WEEKEND AWAY

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DUBAI GLADIATORS CHALLENGE

An enjoyable indoor adventure challenge for the whole family and office.

When: September 17-19 Where: Dubai Sports City Contact: www.dubai-gladiators.com, 055-864-7125

www.premieronline.com

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S E P T

ALOFT RUNS FOR CHILDREN ADNEC 2015

A 2km charity run held inside the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

When: September 18, 7:00 a.m.

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Where: ADNEC

S E P T

Contact: www.aloftabudhabi.com

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S E P T

60FT DHOW RACE – ROUND 1

DUBAI DESERT ROAD RUN 10K AND 3K

When: September 12 Where: Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club Contact: www.adsyc.ae

When: September 26, 6:30 a.m.

Where: The Sevens Village Area, Al Ain Road Contact: www.premieronline.com

The first leg of a series of races seeing traditional dhows racing against each other.

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LABOUR RUN 2015 – RUN SO THEY CAN RUN

Runners and labourers run together in this one-of-a-kind event.

An intense 10K road race and a 3K fun run, all held on safe, traffic-free, private roads.

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When: September 18, 7:00 a.m.

Where: Sonapur, Muhaisnah 2, Dubai Contact: www.premieronline.com

SEPT

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CSD 109KM RIDE

Be part of the first group to ride around the new loop in Al Qudra.

When: September 19 Where: Dubai Cycling Course, Al Qudra Contact: www.cyclesafedubai.com

ICE WARRIOR CHARITY CHALLENGE VI

The toughest commando assault course with over 15 courses to tackle; all in snow!

When: Registration until September 27, Event on October 2 Where: Ski Dubai, Mall of Emirates Contact: www.premieronline.com

SEPT

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HILTON DUBAI TOWER RACE 2015

Support the Emirates Red Crescent in this vertical run spanning 730 stairs over 36 floors.

When: Registration until September 27, Event on October 3 Where: Hilton Dubai Contact: www.premieronline.com

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

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BEST SHOTS Here are the best shots sent in by you for our monthly photography competition! Thank you for all your entries, they were all great and it was hard selecting the best photos this month. Congratulations to the top three winners, who will each receive Buff headwear, five free copies of the magazine and the Advance Off-road Guidebook: Jack Lee Sarming, Rastaboy Centeno and Jitesh Sundar. Well done!

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

Jack Lee Sarming

Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary Sunset

Rastaboy Centeno Those are not Ants

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Jithesh Sundar RAK mountains

Sponsors and Exhibitors:

Organised by:

Medical Partner:

Media Partners:

Supported by:

Partners for the event registration:

THE

OFF-ROADERS corner

The League of Extraordinary Off-Roaders

ALMOST4X4 Words By: Keith Pereña Photos By: Mohanned Sahi

With over 2,000 members and counting, the Adventurous League of Mountains, Oceans and Sand Thrills - most popularly known as ALMOST4x4 - comprises one of the largest 4x4 groups in the United Arab Emirates. A multicultural group with members of varying backgrounds and expertise, it could be said that this is the “it” group to be part of.

Tracing its origins back to 2006 as a group made by a couple of friends, ALMOST4x4 became officially known by its current name in 2008. Combining 22 years of off-roading expertise with mechanical, communication and navigation skills, the group is also recognised as a professional off-road club by the Emirates Motor Sports Federation (EMSF), which is the governing body for grassroots motorsport in the UAE. One of the unique things that I noticed with the group is that from the logo to the

group name, everything bears some meaning. According to their forums (www.almost4x4.com) the acronym stands for the wide range of activities that the group takes part in. Other than that it also encourages people into the group by presenting a non-elitist approach of having to have a 4x4 to be able to join – in their own words, “to encourage non off-roaders to join in on the group as well.”

The logo also has an interesting provenance as it exhibits the group’s wide range of activities. The logo has three elements: the inverted triangle – which is used to grab attention; the scorpion – a common animal associated with the desert; and lastly the colour orange – symbolizing the sun and sand. Putting all of these together, ALMOST4x4 has created a logo that encourages all people, off-roader or otherwise, to join their group regardless of race, creed or colour.

The group has members as well as marshals that represent the diverse community of the UAE, meaning that the members get to see various perspectives and viewpoints from the other cultures that they mingle with. Apart from cultural diversity, the group also prides itself on being nonspecific about their vehicles – any car with 4x4 capabilities is eligible to be part of their driving group.

One of the biggest benefits of being part of the group, apart from the espoused comradeship, is the fact that there is a fantastic opportunity for each and every member to grow thanks to the guidance of their

experienced marshals, who give friendly tips on safe driving techniques, technical knowhow and even break the ice for newcomers to make them feel at home. All of their trips are graded so that there is something for everyone – experienced or otherwise.

As a large and diverse family, ALMOST4x4 is perhaps the metaphorical equivalent of the UAE in off-roading. Its people hail from different countries, all coming together around a similar interest and goal.

FULLY LOADED FOR ALL-OUT PERFORMANCE SL Features: n Slingshot Red Pearl Paint n Blade Wind Deflector n Premium 18” Cast Aluminum Front Wheels, 20” Cast Aluminum Rear Wheel n Media Console: 4.3” LCD Screen, Backup Camera, 6 Speaker Audio System, Bluetooth Integration Standard Features: n 2.4 Liter DOHC Engine n 5-Speed Manual Transmission n High-Strength Steel Spaceframe n 3-Point Seatbelts n LED Tailights and Projector - Beam Headlights n Double-Wishbone Front Suspension with Sway Bar n Electronic Power-Assisted Steering n Electronic Stability Control n ABS Disk Brakes n Tilt Steering n Adjustable, Waterproof Seats n Lockable Storage Bins and Glove Box DUBAI Showroom No. 8, Al Ghandi Complex Nad al Hamar Road, Ras al Khor Tel: +971 4 2896100 Fax: +971 4 2894914 Email: sse@polarisuae.com AL AIN Al Masaood Showroom, Sanaya Tel: +971 3 7219999

BADA ZAYED Al Masaood Showroom, Sanaya Tel: +971 2 8844200 MUSSAFAH M4, Sector 13, 10th Street Tel: +971 2 5555144

DISTRIBUTORS QATAR Protech Powered Sports Co Street: Salwa Road PO Box: 91, Doha, Qatar Tel: +974 44398030 Fax: +974 44398030 Sales Email: info@protech.com.qa

OMAN FairTrade Auto Services LLC P.O. Box 2636, Ruwi, Muscat Tel: +968 96778552 Fax: +96824701787

LEBANON Helmets On sarl Independence Street, Sodeco, Beirut Tel: + 961 1 644442 Fax: + 961 1 633332

Contact person Mr. R. K. Sunder Email: sunder@ftgroupholding.com

Contact person Mr. Khalil Abu Chwareb Email: khalil@helmets-on.com

ACTIVITY REPORT

Words By: Kevin Rosbotham Photos By: Ross Rosbotham and Stuart March Photography

Distance: 100 Miles (160 km) Elevation Gain: 3300m Cut-off: 30 hours

The South Downs Way 100 (SDW 100) is an annual United Kingdom single-stage trail run, ran by Centurion Running which runs the length of the UK National Footpath, The South Downs Way, from Winchester, the capital city of Saxon England heading east along the chalk ridgeway to Eastbourne.

This year, two Abu Dhabi Striders members, me and Khalid Hamid, travelled to the UK from the United Arab Emirates to participate in the run held on 13th June.

Having trained in the UAE all throughout the winter in preparation for the event. The UAE-based runners were supported in the race (crewed) by my wife, Ross.

We had a race strategy designed to get us through with minimum stress; 10 minutes hike, 20 minutes run, overlaid with walk Signpost

Kevin - the Sun is out - this is what it is all about!

uphill, run downhill, and we applied it from the start. We were last to emerge from the starting paddock having started off hiking, but we made good progress. Everything was familiar, and we weren’t concerned with navigation, as we had competed in the same event the previous year. We arrived intending to run the whole distance together.

Before we knew it we were at Beacon

Hill Beeches (9.85 miles) in an hour and 55 minutes. Far too fast, as Khalid pointed out, and although I agreed, it seemed really easy, well to me anyway! I didn’t hear Khalid’s subtext, “this is far too fast for me to maintain for much longer”. We arrived at Queen Elizabeth Country Park (QECP, 22.6 miles) in four hours and 40 minutes, and I was still feeling very strong, but I did note that Khalid was falling behind in the hiking stages, but not terribly so.

Leaving QECP, the route had changed from last year, for the better in my opinion; it now climbed up through a very long footpath in the woods, adding a little extra elevation to the whole route. I loved this bit and power-hiked up for all it was worth, having just stocked up at the aid station. I slowed to the top for Khalid to catch up, and he did a little uphill jog to speed the catch up. When he arrived next to me, he was blowing a bit, and admitted he was struggling with the pace. But he made no mention of any real issues at this point, so I slowed a bit and we carried on. About three miles later, when Khalid did a sideways hop to avoid a puddle, his calf cramped. I could see his calf muscle inverting, so I knew it was quite serious, and I started to deep massage the calf to try and ease it. In our conversation though, Khalid admitted that he was cramping, or on the verge of cramping over his entire body, not a good state to be in with 75 miles to go.

After a while of hobbling along together, Khalid told me that I should go and push on, as he could see that I still felt strong. I felt really torn, I didn’t want to leave Khalid,

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really, as I think that it was just that the but Khalid told me that he was going to lace was too tight. And then there was drop out at Cocking (35.1 miles) where another pain, on the front of my left Ross would be waiting, so I should leave shin, and I wasn’t at all sure what it was. immediately and not waste time. So I ran In retrospect though, this was just a off, very guilty at leaving Khalid. dumb-assed decision! I wore some I passed through Cocking in 7 slightly thicker socks for a snughours 32 minutes (1:32PM), which ger fit in my shoes on the trail, was half an hour before we told but the elastic on the cuff was Ross we would be there, so I probably a little tighter than topped my water and food up usual. I think that the elastic at the aid station and passed irritated the tendon/muscle quickly through. on the front of my shin over Unknown to me, Khalid the distance I was running and also arrived at Cocking bewas causing the soreness. Anyway, fore the 2:00 p.m. we had none of this was bad, and it only told Ross, so he refuelled really hurt when transitioning from and soldiered on considering hike to run for a couple of minutes. the option to drop at Washington So, I assessed that continuous slow where we would next see Ross again. running, where possible, was the At this point I should say that the aid best way forward. stations were again, this year absoI can remember running down lutely fantastic — well-stocked with into Clayton Windmills (69.8 miles) happy, helpful people; soup; hot food; at 15 hours and four minutes (9:04 sweet tea; coke; electrolyte and all sorts p.m.), and starting to feel a little cold. of picnic paraphernalia. And, this year, The wind had picked up and the sun was having learnt from my previous 100 mile going down. So, as I left the Windmills, experiences, there was no messing at aid I unpacked my waterproof jacket and stations; in, eat while your bottles are begloves and covered up for the night’s ing filled, out; simple. I don’t think I can running. It was looking like sub-24 hours do aid stations more efficiently! was definitely on, and sub-23 was also My running was now going from possible. I was on my own almost all strength to strength, I was hiking much of the way now, and those people I less, about 10 minutes per hour, and I passed were walking, so there were was also running some of the long slow only mumbled greetings inclines. I think I could deKhalid - finishing and looking good and short polite conversascribe myself as having found tions about progress and state of health. In a rhythm that I didn’t really have to think some ways, this may have helped me at this very much about. I was letting the terrain juncture, as I was concentrating solely on decide how I should progress. I arrived at making good progress and not making conWashington (54 miles) at 11 hours, 25 minversation. This is a state which is far away utes. A t-shirt change, hug from Ross and from how I run when I am training, and is a cup of tea, and I raced out of the village. not one that I have found myself in before in I can remember all of the people in the an ultra-run. A new experience; bring it on!

Washington Hall sat in the chairs by the wall I reached Southease at 20 hours and five looking washed out and I felt really strong. I minutes (2:05 a.m.), which is a little railway was really happy, and I think I passed lots of station at which the bridge crossing is compeople in this one stop! pulsory (disqualification if using the crossKhalid later told me that he teamed up ing). This year they had two marshals at with a struggling runner shortly after Washthe bridge to ensure that everyone took the ington and another after about 65 miles, prescribed medicine. The bridge steps up and that together they supported each must have totalled only one story, but they other towards the finish were very difficult! I ran at them to bound After Washington, it all becomes a bit of up them two at a time like a “stairs” training a blur; I was concentrating on keeping my session. Oops! I nearly didn’t make the rhythm, and trying to listen to my body for first clearance! A quick reassessment and any early signs of breakdown. The balls I thought best of bounding up the steps, of my feet started to hurt, it felt like blisinstead opting to drag myself up two at a ters, but it wasn’t too bad so didn’t need time using the bannister... attending to. My left foot was starting to I left Southease quickly, feeling good for hurt under my shoelaces too; a bit stupid

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the finish; only 16.1 miles to go.

I had a minor navigation error in Alfriston at 91.6 miles, where I missed the alley off the main which leads down to the aid station. I soon recognised the error of my ways as I ran out of Alfriston on the road, as nothing seemed familiar! I turned and found the alley on the way back in. I must have been in a good mental state as this small diversion didn’t bother me one bit!

I think that I have to admit that I was starting to get fatigued now, I found the hill between Alfriston and Jevington quite hard work, and was very glad to arrive at Jevington (95.7 miles). Another small navigation error at Jevington meant that I had to run back up a small hill to the aid station and check-in. Thankfully they were happy for me to shout my race number and I didn’t have to climb the stairs to the aid station.

Only 4.3 miles to the finish, just a hike up the hill to the trig point and then a long mile downhill gulley onto the streets of Eastbourne, and two miles of road to the athletics track to finish. I finished well, picking up and encouraging three others as we approached the track. They were buoyed with my knowledge of the route, as I could tell them that they were on for less than 23 hours and four of us entered the stadium together.

22 hours and 44 minutes was so much faster than what I expected to run. Thank you to Ross for being such great crew. Thank you to Khalid for travelling to the UK to run the race with me, and then encouraging me to push-on, when he thought he was finished; thank you to all of the wonderful volunteers for making such a special event.

I went to bed for three hours and then was very happy to return to watch Khalid finish in his usual relaxed manner in 28 hours and eight minutes; not bad for someone who was going to drop at 35 miles!

It was a great weekend, it is a great event.

Starters: 266 Finishers: 204

Route Map with Aid Points

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ACTIVITY REPORT

Words + Photos By: Angus Carlisle

Dubai based technical diver Angus Carlisle talks about his rebreather – his essential item of choice for deep underwater diving in the UAE. We have been together now for nearly four happy years. In spite of that, and unlike some other divers, mine does not have a pet name – “it” will have to do.

Every time I go underwater, “it” comes with me. We spend so much time together, with many dives lasting four hours, squeezing through and around the shipwrecks in the Arabian Gulf and Arabian Sea, followed by long hours on the decompression line in clear blue water.

Together we have visited wrecks, reefs, islands and vast underwater sandy plains (for training exercises). We have been to 115 metres below the surface, we have dived in cold winter water (17 degrees C so cold by our standards!) and hot summer water (a sweaty 36 degrees C). We have dived in dark and murky waters and also in

bright blue Middle Eastern waters. Most of this we have put on video. This is another extraordinary development in recent years, as my first underwater video camera was the size of a fridge in comparison to today’s equipment.

Underwater, my rebreather has never failed me. We have had extensive training and skill practices together, always carrying backup systems, just in case. On the surface we spend many hours in my diving locker at home, cleaning, servicing and generally just getting ready for our next trip.

Remarkably, every time we dive, “it” saves me money; by ”rebreathing” the exhaled air, the expensive helium we use for dives below 40 metres is recycled around a loop and back into our lungs. It saves a fortune in gas costs. My open circuit diving

friends will spend in excess of 1500 AED on gas for a single 100m+ dive, whereas I will spend 35 AED, or possibly 40 – the cost of an ice cream! My rebreather is of the ECCR (Electronic Closed Circuit Rebreather) type, and as I breathe the gas is monitored and a computer decides how much oxygen to squirt into the loop to keep my body functioning well.

All in all, it is a most amazing piece of equipment and in my view it is changing the way we all spend our time underwater.

Whilst all the hoses make it look extremely complicated, you don’t do much more than put it on, do your checks and go diving. If something goes wrong underwater, well that’s a different story and explains the many hours of training required before you use one of these machines yourselves.

Rebreathers have, in the past, had a fearsome reputation for killing their owners - and for those not in the know, that reputation is sadly rolled forward still by some commentators who don’t know what they are talking about. In fact, the real story is that the manufacturers have been working very hard and now produce extremely reliable machines for us to use. And yes, electronics and water can mix without problems.

Which machine would you get then, if you wanted to? There are quite a few choices out there, and therein lies a difficulty. As well as the usual marketing hype, ask any owner who has just spent close to 10,000 USD on a rebreather to make a recommendation, and they are hardly going to tell you that they should have bought something else! Instead, take your time, do your training and see what everyone else is doing. Ask yourself who is succeeding and who is having problems and then the answer will appear.

ACTIVITY REPORT

C ustom Made Surfboards Words By: Carl de Villiers

As a long time surfer and Surf Shop owner, I have been through a lot of boards since I started surfing as a kid, from hand me downs to my own purchases when I could finally afford them.

Like most people, I used to go into a surf shop and get a recommended board off the shelf. This was great but a lot of the time, it was a lucky draw and the advice could also be geared towards a sale for the sales person rather than what was best for me. This resulted in some hits and misses, some great boards and some terrible ones.

This was also in the days of hand shaping where surfboard shapers hand shaped boards out of a big block of foam and their skill levels were akin to great artists. The problem with this hand shaping was if you broke your board or it was old and ragged, it was very difficult to reproduce the same board and every reproduction felt different.

Now days, the shaper’s work is on the computer. Shapers use 3D design software to design perfect shapes and tweak boards to the smallest levels to improve performance and shapes. Where surfboards were previously measured by their size, most are now measured by volume. A machine grinds down the foam to exact specifications of the 3D design and the shaper’s job is easy as he scrubs off the board, cleans it up and adds finishing details. This means that 90% of the board is done by a machine and the other 10% is where the shaper adds his magic, but 16

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in essence a lot of the magic has been done on the computer before this has even started.

The advantages of this are immense for production and design as the volume can be calculated and adjusted to fit the shape of a board. For example, a surfboard that was previously an 8’0 minimal can be shrunk down to a 6’6 with wider and thicker dimensions. This has been great in terms of beginners’ surfboard design where the traditional longboard or minimal for learners is being offered in a smaller and more maneuverable design. This has also been fantastic for small wave boards and there are some epic designs on the market that allow surfers to ride the smallest, weakest waves on a short board when traditionally you would have to use your longboard. For reference, check out the Lost Surfboards range which offer some great, small wave rippers as well as shapes that can be adjusted to suit the beginner to intermediate levels.

Production times have also improved greatly and there have been some real advances in manufacturing. Materials have also been updated with EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) being used instead of standard PU (Polyurethane). EPS is considerably light, has excellent flex properties and floats about 20 – 30% more than PU so it’s a great choice for small wave boards. Lighter equals faster in junky and weak surf.

Nowadays, I only ride custom-made surfboards. I very seldom ride boards mass produced in Asia or from shapes that haven’t been worked and tweaked by an actual surfboard shaper. I feel this is true to the artform and I like working directly with shapers to get the best out of my performance and get boards the way I like them. Almost all the WSL (World Surfing League) surfers ride

custom-made surfboards and most even get into the shaping bay themselves to personally tweak and produce boards. Surfboards companies like Al Merrick’s Channel Islands actually have independent shaping bays for these pros so they can work on their own to develop their perfect surfboard.

The advantages of getting a custom made surfboard is that they cost the same as your off the shelf board but you get to tweak and customise the board as much as you like for your own surfing needs. You also get to improve your surfing a lot, as each year you can tweak your favorite shape or go with the next years more refined model. You can also tweak the length down to an inch, the thickness to 16th of an inch, select your volume, add channels, choose you fins set-ups and choice of foam - from strong and heavy to light and softer. You can also choose your glassing from ultralight to super strong and add artwork as well as your name, leaving you with a truly great board every time.

Most surfers (like myself) choose their shapes based on what styles we like. For Oman, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates and other local conditions, I get EPS foam as it floats better, gives me great paddling advantage and allows me to ride my boards about an inch or two smaller than I usually do. I also try new styles of fins such as FCS II set-up, futures as well as experiment with fin set-ups of “quads” versus “tri-fin” to get the best results.

All of this allows the average surfer to really step beyond the old days of lucky dips, magic one-off boards and be able to work directly with the people who design, shape and ride the best boards on the planet.

For more information on custom surfboards, please visit www.surfshoparabia.com.

Bespoke Vehicle Customisation at Ramy 4x4 Words By: Griff Gough-Walters

Despite the rigorous pre-production testing that new 4x4s go through, most of them are designed with the masses in mind and more often than not, off-road enthusiasts have to modify them to suit their individual needs. Off-road specialist Ramy 4x4 offers a bespoke service in which customers can order and professionally upgrade their vehicle to their individual preferences with the help of modification experts.

The experience begins with the customer coming to the showroom to meet an experienced representative who will find out what 4x4 the customer already owns. Or if they are interested in purchasing a Jeep then it is actually possible to order one from the dealer through Ramy 4x4. Exploring what type of off-roader the customer is allows the

representative to identify the upgrades that they will find most useful. However, choosing the different upgrades can sometimes be a challenge which is why the representative is on-hand to share their experiences of each suspension package, exhaust system, axle reinforcement and lighting setup. The conversation even goes as far as deciding on a particular colour scheme or supercharger configuration. “We’ll go that extra mile to get your smile” — Ramy 4x4 stands by their motto to ensure that no matter what part the customer wants, they will either find it or fabricate it themselves.

Once a budget is set and a list of everything that is to be installed is created, then the vehicle is delivered to the workshop where the fun begins! Technicians with racing experience ensure that every part is installed correctly with pinpoint accuracy. All of the vehicles that Ramy 4x4 works on are guaranteed to be the best performing and safest both on the road as well as off it, a very important factor when modifying your car. As is the relationship between the company and the customer which is unrivalled by any other garage in the Middle East and one of the main reasons as to why Ramy 4x4 regularly sees

customers travelling from Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to create their own bespoke vehicle.

That honest relationship continues until after the project is finished and the customer visits the desert with the representative to ensure that the vehicle surpasses all expectations.

Over the years Ramy 4x4 has created some truly incredible vehicles through this service.

One look at the pictures and it’s obvious that they aren’t just some new parts thrown onto a standard 4x4 — these are fully engineered machines unlike anything else on the road which look and perform exactly how the owner specified.

To see some more examples of vehicles modified by Ramy 4x4 search for #ramy4x4project online or find us on Facebook. If you are interested in creating your own modified vehicle with Ramy 4x4 then get in touch with us by contacting sales@ramy4x4.com or on our hotlines.

Dubai: +971 4 269 8138, Abu Dhabi: +971 2 554 8466, Al Ain: +971 3 755 4101, Egypt: +2010 2331 6669

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TRAVEL + ADVENTURE

French climber Nadine Rousselot casually redpointing a burly 7c

Words + Photos By: Read Macadam and Tara Atkinson

Time started to catch up with us. After one month on the road, with the climbing, the partying, the constant travel and long drives of the Woodstock Roctrip– our energy levels were waning. Yet, with our lungs full of Sakarkaya’s cool mountain air we packed eagerly, excited for the last leg of our incredible journey.

Bundled into Isa’s van for the long drive, now with a new member of our Once each week the local market opens and climbers venture down the hill to stock up on delicious fresh local fruits, veg, nuts and bread

Traditional Turkish bread and gozleme.

If only photos could capture smells

teamsleeping quietly in the back (no doubt snoring away the social excitement from her previous nights in Bafa Lake), we zipped down the narrow roads away from Kapikiri and into new landscapes. With the windows down we shouted our remarks about the beauty of the changing landscape, our arms hanging out the sills, our brows perspiring in the dry heat. Then it rained and we kept the windows down to suck up the cold damp air before stopping at an unknown village market, which was bustling with people selling and buying the locally grown produce.

Turkey is pleasantly surprising. Turks are clearly proud people. They keep their cities and villages immaculately clean. They bring their fruit and vegetables to the market and will not budge in a game of bargaining, yet they are not too proud that upon request for only a small amount of spices, they graciously hand them over as a gift; “This one you must try!”

I run into a well dressed gentleman on his scooter. He has ridden into the centre of the covered marketplace and a ray of sunshine has put him in a spotlight. I motion to my camera, “Merhaba, may I take your photo, please?” I smile. “Mais oui,” he responds, as if I had broached the subject in French.

He grins for the camera and shares with me his story of years in Paris during the 1960s, when he was in his thirties. “C’est pas possible,” I am shocked. He looks no older than

The man on the motorbike. Classic market life

Geyikbayiri, the camps and the climbing

Swede Said Belhaj styled this 8a+ onsight

There are so many routes at each grade that it seemed ludicrous to take a project

65. “Mais oui,” he says, incredibly still shaking my hand as if we were old pals reunited, “J’ai quatre vingt quatre années”, he says, grinning. His Rs rolled off his tongue in the oriental way and endearingly he carefully articulated each syllable, clearly enjoying the opportunity to rehash his excellent French. Eventually, I got my hand back and we set off for the remainder of the journey to Geyikbayiri.

You may recall, if you have followed our journey, that GPS maps on our trip have a reputation for leading us astray. It is of course with this in mind that we embarked on the track demarcated by the very squiggly narrow yellow line on the van’s ‘faultless’ GPS device. It would save us 40km… …and lose us about two hours, whilst leading us past behemoth logging trucks

up narrow, dust fogged, rutted roads. Then we were skidding down, literally skidding, through running streams, scraping pine trees on both sides, past remote village settlements and into the centre of what the GPS was certain to be Geyikbayiri. It was not and it was very dark. An angry dog, guard of the driveway we found ourselves on, reminded us of our folly. We laughed, but secretly I was so relieved for the offered directions to a camping site, which is a whole other story. Have you seen a vintage Airstream caravan towed down a loose and dangerous track before? Epic.

But of course, we were there for the climbing. Geyikbayiri is one of those destinations like Tonsai in Thailand, or like Kalymnos in that everything is just so accessible and the quality of the rock is excellent,

especially if you like steep tufas.

It is a pretty idyllic spot. We woke up each day amongst the pomegranate trees, heavy with fruit and birds singing. Eating in the filtered sunlight, we warmed ourselves after chilly nights, watching the earliest risers climbing on the gorgeous glowing orange cliffs surrounding the campgrounds in

Much of the climbing in Geyikbayiri is just steps away from the campsite

Climbing roulette

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“Please,” Read pleaded. “Just one more climb before we go?” Casually onsighting one last classic 7b+ before the sun set on our last day at Citdibi

Geyikbayiri, spying our lines that we would try that day. Except for when we were woken up by people arguing in their tent – yes, folks, tents are paper thin and we heard it all – or by discourteous families, letting their children run amok amongst the tents at 6:30 a.m. After 40 days on the road, constant travel and little rest, I felt utterly drained.

And now I was feeling grumpy. Climbing was now a chore, the last thing I want it to be. Even in such a fantastic place!

It was a pleasant surprise, though, to arrive at camp one day and bump into Neil Gresham, the true professional’s professional in climbing. I had the pleasure of deep water soloing with Neil and friends in Oman back in 2011, and he does not mess around.

For the next few days Tara and I teamed up with Neil and his crew of British strongmen: Steve McClure (the best climber on the Roctrip, hands down), Leah Crane (stronger than you) and Liam Lonsdale (the one true bobbydazzler).

We climbed and laughed, mainly laughing, and after switching to Kezban’s much quieter and laid back campsite, my motivation returned. We first climbed in the newest cliff that the Petzl team had bolted the year prior, Citdibi. After a drive up a winding mountain road, with ever larger craggy mountain tops filling the windscreen, Citdibi looms obvious, with magnificent The Petzl Roctrip Caravan setting up at camp

blue and orange streaked stone. The climbers relished in the cool mountain air on the outlandish rock structures.

Back down in the busier main crag of Geyikbayiri, Trebenna, we entertained ourselves with Climbing Roulette… say what?!

Climbing roulette is the cure for any cynic at an overly busy crag. The rules are simple: If you have at least four people in your group and most of the routes are busy, select two routes farther out that are completely unknown to you. The two climbers then play a gentlemanly, best-of-three round of Rock, Paper, Scissors to decide which of the two routes they will each ascend. Finally, both must climb into the unknown simultaneously.

It is very useful to continue your witty banter and insults of discouragement, especially if you have the “easier” of the two routes.

With renewed motivation but failing energy levels, I began my spree of falling off the last move of every 8th grade route that I attempted to onsight (onsight means literally on sight – one’s first try). I loved every minute of it. There are so many routes concentrated in such a small area that even mid-flight I had another route in mind. More on this later as we ended up going back to Geyikbayiri post Roctrip to finish off what I started! First things first. The Roctrip was shifting to its final destination – the ancient port city of Olympos.

Each night the roctrippers gathered around to hear and share stories from the vertical world

Sheesa Beach Words By: Neil Murphy Photos By: Jurgens Swarts

Musandam, the Attraction

Just an hour and a half out of the concrete maze that is Dubai, lies an area with majestic scenery, incredible marine biodiversity and is possibly one of the most strategic pieces of land on the planet. An hour and a half away in another country and a different time is on every traveller’s or residents’ bucket list.

Services

Sheesa Beach operates eight dhows, numerous speedboats and a 180-bed camp. Our offices are conveniently located in the port.

From half day trips, seven day/seven night trips and speedboat trips, we offer it all. The most popular trips are our weekend getaway safaris over two days and nights. All our dhows have on-board watersports activities from diving, kayaking, banana boat rides (the flying fish to be introduced shortly), snorkelling and traditional Omani hand-line fishing.

We have hotel trained on-board chefs to whip up sumptuous meals and they cater to dietary requests as well.

The Dive Centre

We operate a licensed PADI dive resort that offers diving for everyone. From beginners

who want to experience diving for the first time, we run the ever popular Discover Scuba Diving experience. The waters in the Musandam are marine rich and you are guaranteed to have a more thorough and professional experience with us on your initial voyage into the blue than you will in the murky waters of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. For the experienced divers and those who have just started out, we have dive sites to suit everyone`s need.

From the Quoin Islands in the Straits of Hormuz, to quiet bays and colourful reefs — a dive site to suit every palate. The instructors/ guides at Sheesa also offer a unique blend of having come from different backgrounds and thus are able to impart a wealth of knowledge, safety and enjoyment to our clients.

Diver Training

Personally I think that some of the most important considerations for one looking to do a course are: • Location – Diving in marine heaven • Our own fleet – We cut out the middleman and thus make the training more affordable.

• Knowledge/Professionalism– Simply we are the best of the best - try us!

• Personality – Fun and learning are part of our ethos.

• Package integration and cost – You can do a two-day live aboard safari and complete your chosen course for virtually the same

price as you would find completing your course at a local dive centre in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

Dive Trips

The eight dhows we operate afford us the opportunity to provide our clients with tailormade itineraries. We specialize in group bookings and we run sharing trips for our clients as well. We are also the only centre to run a three-day/three-night sharing trip that showcases the far northern sites and places where fish don`t know your name.

Our captains are owners of the company and know areas that are very infrequently dived – besides us of course. Our speedboats trips run up to the top of the peninsula as well and they provide a great day out for those who only have a day spare. In the cooler months our camp provides a great overnight option before choosing your preferred trip the following day.

Non–Dive Trips

We offer a half day pleasure cruise every day as well as overnight safaris for those who just want to get away and spend time with loved ones and friends. Kayaking, banana boats; discover dives during the day and an evening under the Musandam stars.

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

SEPTEMBER 2015 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

Words By: Abdullah Alshalabi

I’m not sure if you are like me or not, but whenever I travel to a new city I think if there is good fishing to be found. During my entire life, I always find it difficult to find a fishing guide or a fishing charter boat.

I went to so many fishing trips, but most of them were a disaster. I went fishing in Kuwait, Oman, Spain and Hong Kong to name a few and they all had one thing in common - they were all unsatisfactory. Some were okay, but never like the videos I saw on Youtube. Why is it so difficult to go on a good fishing trip?

I know I was doing something wrong, but I didn’t have proper guidance. I’m not the kind of person that does lots of research and consults many people before making a decision.

I didn’t have real fishermen friends, neither my dad taught me fishing. I learned from my uncle, but he got married and left me behind!

I once organised a fishing trip for my friends to Oman. Of course the trigger was a Youtube video with people catching a huge grouper. What we know is that everyone is talking about this city called Shuwaymiyah in Oman. So we booked our tickets to Muscat and off we go. We arrived and asked the taxi to take us to Shuwaymiyah. He laughed so much he thought we were joking. I told him “Why you are laughing?” He said it’s 10 hours away! (Okay, in my defence that was before Google Maps existed).

So we shifted to plan B, to fish in Muscat.

We asked the taxi if he knew a captain, he said “Maybe, give me until tomorrow”. We asked the hotel, they didn’t know anyone, so we stuck with the taxi driver. He was on time in the morning and he said the best way to go fishing is to go with real fishermen. So he took us to the fish market! He found local

fishermen that agreed to take us fishing. The problem is, they don’t have fishing tackle and they left us with their youngest crew! To make a long story short, the trip was a disaster. The next couple of days weren’t any better.

After having the same problem over and over again, I decided to start Fishfishme.

Our mission is to make booking a fishing trip super easy, from finding the best captain to facilitating the payment. Fishfishme now have more than 1,000 fishing charter partners spread in more than 30 countries around the world. We currently have three offices - in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Malaga, Spain and San Diego, United States. Fishfishme helped more than 4,500 people go fishing.

If you are thinking to book a fishing trip, give fishfishme.ae a try. It should take you less than three minutes to book a fishing trip without doing five phone calls and go to the captain to pay him in cash! You’ll find customer reviews and will be able to compare prices to make a better decision. Moreover, in UAE we are offering sharing trips in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Fujairah. These trips are organized with the best captains in the UAE (based on our customer’s reviews), and the prices starts at only 250 AED/person.

If you have any questions you can always contact me directly at abdullah@fishfishme.com. Or you can call our team at 800-FISHING (800 347 4464). Follow us on Facebook to stay up to date. If you are an Instagram person then you can find us @fishfishme.

GEMINI & NOMAD Kayaking offers the simplest and most efficient way to explore by water. Very portable, easy to learn and fun to do. Feelfree’s combination of unique features including a wheel in the keel for easy one person handling on land, moulded in handles for reliability and great aesthetics all combine to allow you to experience the best feeling on the water.

AVAILABLE AT ADVENTURE HQ • AL YOUSUF SHOWROOMS • GO SPORT MODELLS • YALLAOUTDOOR.COM

Distributor of awesome outdoor brands. www.globalclimbing.com

ACTIVITY REPORT

Down the Range The Festive Calgary Stampede Words + Photos By: Darryl MacDonald

Eight seconds. The longest and most difficult eight seconds imaginable; sitting atop a 900kg animal, using only a single hand with a braided rope to hold the rider in position.

A hush falls over the crowd of onlookers, as the rider checks his grip then signals with a nod. The gate flies open and the mass of muscle beneath him suddenly comes to life, leaping into the air then turning, first left then right, all the while bucking and rolling with incredible force. The rider, still only using a single hand, must offset the bull’s actions with his own in order to maintain balance and keep from being tossed high in the air or, even worse, slipping off the side and finding himself underneath the hooves or in front of the horns of this massive, untamed behemoth. Finally, he hears the blare of the horn,

signaling the end of the eight seconds. The bull rider releases his grip. As he is launched from the animal, he attempts to land on his feet but stumbles and rolls. Quickly looking back, he sees the bull, horns down with intent in his eyes, coming straight at him. The rider jumps to his feet as the rodeo clowns scramble into position, distracting the bull from his intended target and ultimately leading the bull off the field. This is professional bull riding, one of the main attractions at the Calgary Stampede - a long standing tradition in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Dubbed locally as “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth�, the Calgary Stampede is an annual agricultural fair and rodeo held in July each year, showcasing a very different type of sport. With roots extending back over 100 years, it is one of the largest events in Cana-

da, attracting visitors from across the country and around the globe. The Stampede hosts one million guests on average each year during its ten days of festivities, with a record 1.2 million visitors this year. These festivities include an extremely broad spectrum of activities to suit every personality.

The event itself is held near the Calgary downtown core, but Stampede related festivities span the city. Communities and local businesses host free pancake breakfasts daily for anyone who would like to stop by for a little Western hospitality. Local restaurants and pubs hold various Western themed

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

events throughout the week, including live country music bands, mechanical bull riding and Western style cuisine. For ten days, cowboy hats, boots and jeans replace suits and ties, becoming the staple items of clothing throughout the city.

The main event kicked off with a massive parade through the downtown area, which is marshaled each year by a celebrity. Past parade marshals have included Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Chris Hadfield and William Shatner. On the main fair grounds, there is enough going on daily to keep visitors occupied and entertained for days without succumbing to boredom or repetition. There are daily music concerts on the grounds included in the price of admission and a few larger events, hosting big names in music, throughout the week at a nearby stadium.

Historically, the Stampede has attracted some of the biggest names in musical history; not just country music but everything from rock and blues to jazz and alternative as well. If you’re a thrill seeker, the midway has plenty of rides that will get your adrenaline flowing and turn even the strongest of stomachs.

There is also a daily energy-charged motocross show which includes everything from BMX racers to back-flipping motorbikes and snowmobiles on fire, finishing with a woman propelling herself from a giant, custom made

cannon over a hundred feet into the air! For the foodies, there is a wide range of midway food to indulge in. Highlights from this year included the foot-long corn dog, scorpion pizza, deep-fried Oreos, mini-doughnuts, the 100 USD dragon dog and spareribs.

The main attraction at the Calgary Stampede however is the rodeo. It is one of the largest professional rodeos of its kind in the world. The athletes, both cowboys and cowgirls, that come to Calgary are some of the best in the world and compete in this event for over 1,000,000 USD in prize money.

The rodeo occurs daily and consists of seven major events: Barrel Racing – Female riders nimbly manoeuver their thoroughbred horse around a series of barrels in a race against the clock, competing for the fastest time, without knocking over any barrels.

Steer Wrestling – The name says it all!

Cowboys race their horses after a young cow, called a steer, leaping off the horse and attempting to wrestle the steer onto its back, again racing against the clock.

Tie-down Roping – Cowboys, mounted on their horse, race after a calf, lasso it and then leap off the horse in mid stride in an attempt to tie together the three legs of the calf whilst racing against the clock.

Saddle Bronc – Cowboys attempt to stay on a bucking bronco (horse) for eight seconds. Successful riders are scored on their riding technique, including spurring and also on the horse’s bucking performance.

Bareback Riding – Like the saddle bronc event but without the saddle.

Bull Riding – One of the most dangerous and anticipated events of the show. It has been called “the most dangerous eight seconds in sport”. Cowboys attempt to stay on a bucking bull for an action-packed eight seconds. Successful riders are scored on their own riding technique and also on the bull’s bucking performance.

Rangeland Derby – Nicknamed the “half-mile of hell”, four thoroughbreds pull a covered wagon, or chuckwagon, around

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the racetrack. “Outriders”, accompanying cowboys, must “break camp” at the start and make sure they cross the finish with their respective wagon. This race originates from the old cattle drives when the cowboys entertained themselves with camp races as they neared home.

Every evening finishes with the Grandstand Show; a spectacle of dancing, singing, acrobatics and fireworks, celebrating Canadian heritage. All in all the Calgary Stampede is an event of epic proportions that has something for everyone. So if you’re looking for a reason to visit Canada, this definitely is a great place to start.

TRAVEL + ADVENTURE

The Honey Badger Special Episode:

What’s in the Car?

Diaries

Interview By: Keith Pereña Photos By: James and Mira Raley

Transportation has changed the world in a tremendous way in that it has made contact with other countries much easier and it has made getting from point A to B much faster. But for the outdoor community, transportation has paved the way for exploration and looking into the unknown and meeting the wonders that reside there.

Without a certain mode of transport, exploration wouldn’t be possible. With this in mind, we catch up with James and Mira Raley who just about a month ago, returned to the United Arab Emirates from their arduous year-long journey across the African continent. This is the story of the car that made their journey possible — the Honey Badger.

Where did the name “Honey Badger” come from?

James: It took a while to come up with a name. We eventually happened upon a YouTube video and it was very amusing and made us think about honey badgers. They are ridiculously tough, live in the African wild, and have a lot of character. That pretty much sums up what we were trying to achieve with the car, so we called her the Honey Badger.

Mira: The idea behind the name was that our trusted Land Cruiser will be able to drive through anything and persevere through the toughest situations we went through.

Although we did have plenty of problems, the car got us home, so the name was very suitable.

Were there any other names you had in mind for the car?

James: El Basha or The Beast Mira: We did not really have other names for the car. At one point a friend recommended “The Beast” but that never really stuck. She was the Honey Badger all along!

Why this make and model?

James: Good question. We researched quite carefully through the internet and by talking to experienced friends. I was keen on a Land Rover because they are slightly better off-road with the new traction control, they look better and they are British (more or less). It finally boiled down to three irrefutable facts: (1) Land Cruisers are more reliable, (2) They are easier to repair in Africa and parts and servicing are cheaper and (3) They are cheaper to buy in the UAE. Mira: We spent hours researching what car would be best for the type of trip we were doing and although there were plenty of choices out there, it came down to three options: a Land Rover 110 Defender, a Land Cruiser 78 Series and Land Cruiser76 Series. We ended up choosing the 76 series because it was more robust for 4X4 driving, and it was what was available to us at the time. Most people we met on the road with the Defender had difficulty finding parts in Africa, however for us that was never a problem.

Did you imagine how the trip would have been in a different vehicle?

What would you have chosen?

James: In my opinion, the Land Cruiser 78 (often used as military troop carriers or ambulances) has similar performance to the Trialling the new solar panels

ARB fridge and drawer system

76 but is bigger. It is ideal for overlanding and can be turned into a comfortable home whilst still getting you everywhere you need to go. For me, the main appeal of the 78 is the space for a small living area inside where you can stay out of the rain and away from wild animals and insects.

Mira: Another change would be to choose a Diesel engine over petrol. Although we never really had much difficulty finding petrol, the cost of it was astonishing and a big chunk of our budget went to fuelling the car.

What were the first five things that you got for the Honey Badger and how did they contribute during the trip?

James: Metal bumper from ARB: This allowed us to drive through thick undergrowth without worrying about damaging the car. It also holds the winch, hi-lift jack and additional lighting which are essential.

Water tank: There is no point in wasting valuable drinking water on washing dishes or showers, and this made a big difference.

Ours was only 40 litres and I would probably choose 100 litres next time.

Vehicle tracking and satellite phones from SecureLocate: This gave us peace of mind throughout the trip, especially when we were out of mobile reception. Whatever the situation, we always had contact with the outside world, and friends and family could always see where our phones were and where the car was. Knowing that we could immobilise the car remotely if it was stolen was another significant advantage.

Roll cage: Thankfully not necessary during the trip, but after we rolled the car in the UAE eight months before we left, I insisted

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

Shower

that we had one fitted. Rolling is much more likely whilst dune bashing in the UAE than off-roading in Africa. However, wherever it happens, it is good to know that there are a couple of inches of steel between you and the easily crushed roof.

Mira: We started on the exterior of the car first, so we spent a large chunk of money on the roof rack, roof tent, back and front bumpers and leaf springs. Everything on that list, except for the leaf springs, was from ARB and we loved their service and product quality. The leaf springs however, were a very bad buy and they deteriorated within weeks. We ended up having to replace them four times throughout the duration of the trip.

Having a robust exterior was extremely useful in very rough terrain, and our roof tent was probably one of our best buys as it was very easy to use, it lasted the entire trip and nothing could beat the size and comfort in that tent (especially since we added a mattress, duvet and pillows).

Given the chance, what would you have left behind and deemed as unnecessary equipment?

James: A linen suit and pith helmet, excessive shoes and clothes and mosquito nets.

Mira: We definitely over packed. James has a natural inclination to want to take

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everything, assuming that it might be useful sometime in the future. In some cases things turned out to be very useful, but in others it was more of a hassle having to lug around stuff we really did not use. Luckily we had family and friends come to visit us at different parts of the trip so we were able to send stuff back, otherwise we gave a few things away to people on the road. A list of things we did not need: n Climbing equipment n Lots and lots of clothes that we returned or gave away n A Shower Tent that we never used n More gadgets then we can handle (extra walkie talkies, extra torches, loads of cables and camera gear)

What’s the one piece of equipment you can’t imagine not having in the car?

James: Hi-lift jack. Sometimes the only way out of a situation is to lift the car, and this is the only thing that can do it anywhere.

Mira: There are a few essentials that we definitely could not survive without including recovery gear for the car, torches, and spare wheels.

Lastly, how has the Honey Badger grown onto you after a year of being on the road?

James: It is hard to answer this question truthfully without sounding materialistic, but she was our home, our harbour and our mobility for a whole year.

She is now parked in the garage awaiting expensive registration.

Occasionally we take her out on short trips and we are immediately returned to our happy travelling zone. I will sit behind the wheel feeling completely content with a stirring sensation of adventure. I’ll glance over at Mira who will be smiling, and I know that she feels exactly the same.

Mira: The Honey Badger was our home for over a year and we have grown attached to it. Although at times we were sick and tired of things breaking down, it always managed to get us to where we needed to be. Even though we are unable to register it in Dubai as it is, we plan to keep it and use it as our camping/weekend car, and maybe take the time to re-do the interior so that it is better planned out to include a third member to the family!

Aluminium box

What did you learn from the Honey Badger that you plan on applying on any future journeys?

James: Every vehicle has it limits, and it pays to know your car extremely well before you set off.

Mira: - Do not over pack! Take only the essentials and you will always manage. Buy Quality , spending more money in the initial stages would have saved us a bundle later on in the trip. If you are going to buy second hand, make sure every part of the car is checked thoroughly before going ahead (like the front diff in our case!)

Spare parts from Toyota

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Lessons from Mary Poppins and Mother Nature Words By: Amy Subaey

One thing Elbrus has in common with every other mountain in the world is the unpredictable and dangerous weather. Last year’s trip gave us a good initiation to the speed at which weather can change and this lesson stayed closely with us this year.

Last July, while on our way up at around 4500 metres, we noticed the wind getting stronger and heard thunder rumbling in the distance. No sooner had we said the words “Uh oh, maybe we should turn around?”

Suddenly, we all felt a strange buzzing, not just in our ears, but all around us. Amira’s hair stood up straight on her head around her headband. We all locked eyes in confusion. An instant later, the clap of “distant” thunder was right above us — discussion over. We all started to run. But for some reason, we didn’t all run in the same direction, so we were separated within seconds.

A few of us, including me, were actually hit by what is described in weather language as “positive streamers”. Basically, it means you have been “charged” and are about to be struck by lightning. It probably didn’t help that we were in the snow, carrying metal axes and wearing metal crampons attached to our feet. We were little electrical conductors! We were both hit once more by those

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positive streamers, but were luckily never hit by an actual lightning strike. We all made it back down one by one, greeted with hugs and tears of joy and relief.

Needless to say, this group was well aware of those stories told by last year’s Elbrus group of UAE Trekkers and keen to avoid any similar scenario. So when our guide informed us that the weather forecast dictated a dramatic change of plans, we obliged without any opposition. But we were still hesitant as our rescheduled summit bid was a full two days earlier. This meant pushing the boundaries of an ideal acclimatization schedule and just hope that our bodies would adapt faster.

We even had a positive omen in the form of a billboard of encouragement from President Putin on our way to the mountain.

I can’t actually think of any other mountain where I’ve seen a presidential endorsement of our sport. But Putin is smart to show his support for mountaineering since Mt Elbrus, as the highest peak in Europe, claims a prestigious spot in the Seven Summits of the world club. This brings mountaineers from all over the world to the tiny village or Terskol for eight weeks every summer.

Although, it’s not as high as Kilimanjaro, it’s more challenging. It’s also a logical transition from trekking to the first stage of mountaineering for those aspiring to achieve higher altitude climbs or more technical mountains in places like the Himalayas.

We were eager to get going, so we were first in line to the chairlift set to go, backpacks moved to front and poles in hand. But the local Russians all went first. One by one, they each stood on the square, umbrella in one hand and eyes straight ahead as they prepared to be launched into the air up the hill. As if trained by Mary Poppins herself, they even whistled as they rose steeply and disappeared into the clouds. After the technique had been clearly demonstrated, we all followed suit and cheered for each other as we each successfully launched, as it meant that we had managed to hold on for the initial stomach-dropping swing backwards

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before going forward and upward.

Our first day’s hike, just as the chairlift ride, seemed to start in fast-forward. We made our way slowly up a steep and rocky hill to Cheget Peak, at 3750m. But the trail seemed rockier than I remembered, with bigger boulders to jump over, and the gaps between them widening the higher we went.

The precarious cliffs, narrow ledges and unstable rocks were not made more fun with a light rain, only more slippery. But when I asked why we weren’t doing the gentle trail clearly visible directly below us, our guide replied in a heavy Russian accent, “This, adventure trail! But we go back down easy trail. Everything will be well.“ And it was indeed.

Abruptly again on day two, we made our way up to base camp via two cable cars and two chairlifts. We settled into Elbrus barrel hut life for the next four days. The barrel huts have a bad reputation, but they are actually quite warm, which is always a winning feature. We all acclimatized well over the next few days but the weather proved to indeed be unpredictable and unstable. Our team walked as slowly as possible to 4700m in extremely cold, wind and sleet conditions.

We realized that this is not something we would like to experience any higher up. We only hoped for a clear day for our summit attempt, planned for the next day starting at 4:30 a.m. It was predicted that the blue sky would hold until early afternoon when clouds were expected to descend for the next three days. Since everyone wants to avoid being above 5000m when the weather changes, teams have to determine, based on the pace they set the day before, how long their summit attempt will take and then judge whether or not it’s possible to cover the distance without the snowcat boost. It’s far from a perfect science, so most people err on the “use the snowcat” side of caution, as did we.

Our summit push went ahead brilliantly.

Richard was the first to reach the highest point in Europe, which was an astounding feat considering he’d also summited Mt Ararat, in Turkey, just five days prior. The picturesque summit morning gave our photographer a stunning backdrop. It really is just

as pretty as it looks in the pictures.

We started back down things and were going so well that Andrew decided to go for the double summit challenge; heading down to the “saddle” then back up to the second peak, which is a mere 40 metres or so lower than the main peak. Just as he made the decision and disappeared from view and out of walkie-talkie range behind the hill, the weather turned. It is really hard to describe, and understand, just how fast this change in weather happens. In actual time, it was not more than 15 minutes before the sunny clear sky gave way to high winds and increasingly threatening skies. What seemed like it would have been an enjoyable jaunt back down to barrels in the snow became a race to get the next snowcat transport back down to the safety of the barrels. What we saw as a boost for people who just didn’t want to hike, we now understood really was for completely different reasons; the snowcat saves lives on a mountain that does not really respect meteorological forecasts and offers no refuge at all once it changes. And short of saving lives, it simply minimizes the risks by reducing the time you are on the mountain in general.

Back at the barrels, we hesitated for a

congratulatory “all down safe” celebration.

Andrew still had not returned from his double summit bid, the weather was not improving, and a team member presented symptoms of altitude sickness that necessitated getting to a lower altitude as soon as possible. The ladies of Barrel Hut Four sprung into action, gathering up the various jackets, boots, toiletry kits and sleep sacs thrown about in the morning rush. We all gracefully practiced our “between-the-bunk cha-cha” in order to get past each other in our hut and get gear packed quickly. Our guide, Andrei, was frantically working out a way to get us down by convincing the chairlift operator to come back up. But, as luck would have it a pickup truck had just arrived a bit below the camp to pick up what seemed to be a giant empty plastic tank with some skanky water at the bottom.

Within minutes, Margaret and I were on

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board. She jumped in the cab and I secured myself into a spare tire in the bed. Bouncing our way down the mountain we figured that this little truck was a rather reliable hiker’s last resort transit of sorts. Every few kilometres, we would pick up some exhausted Russians with giant backpacks running after us hoping to escape the last 10km. So, the driver stopped for everyone in need without conversation or question in an act of unselfish community service. The truck finished the journey with about 13 hikers crammed in the truck bed by the time we got down. As expected, Margaret’s altitude sickness symptoms subsided with the drop in altitude. Crisis averted!

The rest of the team returned the next day with dramatic stories of their own; lightning strikes hit just behind the barrel huts. We were all relieved that we had moved up our summit push.

Once we were all reunited at the hotel, showered and fresh, we joined two other teams that had also summited in the last few days for the traditional Russian Celebration of Summit Party. As one would expect, traditional beverages of the local culture are shared in abundance. In limitless abundance, that most of us took full advantage of. Why not, after what we had been through? Climbing the tallest peak in Europe, in Russia? And who were we to insult our gracious host country by refusing their national beverage? This was how we justified our overindulgence, until we faced some difficulty finding our way back to the hotel a few hours later. Considering the hotel was only 500 meters away on a gravel road, we really had no good excuse for our

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struggle. Unfortunately, the journey did not end well for the soft tissue under my knee, which suffered the full force of a five-person stumble. We were lucky enough to have a certified nurse on the team, who did her best to get me cleaned and bandaged through protests of “no big deal”.

The next morning, I realized indeed the injury was going to require attention. The nearest hospital was about an hour away, but there was an alternative; a doctor with an assistant in the local teaching hospital just 15 minutes away. We also had the help of our guides, Madga and Anatalia to help translate the doctors’ directions. But, in the seconds that it takes to listen to and translate the sentence “I’m going to give you a shot in your knee and it’s probably going to hurt” the needle was already IN. Next, without any words being exchanged in any language, my head was propped up and a small glass of strong liquid was poured down my throat. Before I could ask what that was, a mint green biscuit, about the size of my entire mouth, was shoved in after it. In the time it took me to chew the biscuit, the assistant had refilled the glass and repeated the traditional Russian pain-numbing

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treatment. By the third round, I didn’t really mind how many needles were in my knee.

All I remember thinking was that maybe a limp and a bandage would be enough for a complimentary upgrade to business class on the way home. (It wasn’t).

Both trips to Elbrus were so different to any other mountain I’ve climbed. The chance to visit this part of Russia gives you a unique insight into the country, its people that you would not ever experience in one of the more famous big cities. It is also quite an achievement for all of us. Most trekkers had never used crampons, harnesses, ice axes or safety lines. Even those that were experienced in climbing or in trekking had not had the opportunity to combine all of these skills, as you do on Elbrus. And as usual, the final ingredient in the making of a memorable and adventurous week is the group dynamic.

In Kathy’s words, “I would never do these things alone. Normally, people suffer for hours together, reach personal limits, but top that with a natural sense of humour and who is able to smile after walking for 13 hours (or longer) with all gear up a mountain and back? The UAE Trekkers!

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TRAVEL + ADVENTURE

Test Your Might:

Brown Trout on Fly Words By: Nick Bowles

I have been lucky enough to tick off a couple of bucket list items lately and when I got given the opportunity to fish the River Test, I jumped at it with both hand and feet. I had been chatting with good mate Charl Devunge from Farlows about coming to the United Kingdom and he asked if I would be interested in fishing the River Test at the Broadlands Estate with The river keeper Jon Hall! Yeah good joke! But it was not joke and the plan was hatched!

We were staying in Southampton with good friends Robs and Frank and when I put in the GPS coordinates for the fishing it was literally around the corner. I thought I had the GPS incorrect and rechecked as I was driving into Southampton but then at the last traffic circle off the highway, I took a right to Broadlands.

I drove down some small country lanes in a small hired car, very different to the thirsty

trucks we have in Dubai and Oman. Finally I came to the sign Broadlands Fishing! I spoke to Jon and he said to wait down at the fishing hut. I arrived there and stopped on the bridge only to stare at the swirling river with green weed swaying in the current and trees overhanging into the river — truly mesmerizing, the same as sitting around a campfire watching the flames jump around in the wind. Awesome!

I waited for a while for Charl and Jon to arrive and had time to check out the fishing hut, which was like a bomb shelter on the side of the river and you could feel the history and I felt a bit of nervous creeping in to think I was going to fish the home of fly fishing and walk the banks that so many people and legends have walked before.

I was definitely out of my depth! No big waves, open water or marauding GTs! Jon and Charl arrived and we had a coffee in the hut with some of the other fishermen fishing some of the famous beats.

Great to sit and chat and tell a few stories!

Finally game time arrived, we got out the gear! A little different to PE10 and 250lbs leaders, these were four weight lines with 4lbs leaders! I think the cotton I used for fixing clothes is stronger! Then the flies came out and there was no way I was going to be able to get the line through the eye

of the hook, could not even see if it was in fact there! But with Charl and Jon on the case, they set up the gear and the mindset started to change and I started to get into the swing of the river and the fishing.

We walked down the river and came up to the first hole. Straight away both Jon and Charl got very excited; there was a big fish in one of the holes and after a few seconds it turned out to be a salmon! No pressure.

The first fish I was going to cast at was a salmon, it couldn’t get any better. But once the gear was set up, I realized this was not going to be as easy as I thought. Kneeling on the grounds casting over thistle and stinging nettles does not make for easy fishing. I finally got the hang of fishing off my knees and managed to put in a couple of decent casts. The fish was not interested and after a while we moved on looking for trout on the number four.

But the adrenaline was pumping and a great adventure had started. We fished a couple of runs without too much success and made our way back to the hut. Jon waded out into the river with me in tow and we came up to some fish sitting at the back of a pool. With a wind rippling the surface the visibility was not too good and the fish came in and out of view. Finally we put in a few casts and had a fish come up but by the time I realized the fish had taken to fly it was too late. With a few more words on encouragement and coaching from Jon, I had another few shots but no hook ups. As we were about to move, I put in one last cast over the pool and let the fly drift down the

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

pool watching the dry fly I was using as an indicator for the dropper and as I got to the end of the pool I started to load the line to do another cast and out of nowhere a tiny wild brown trout came flying out the weed and snatched the fly before I could cast and I had my first River Test trout on. The little guy tried as hard as he could but even on the light gear, we had him on hand and landed my first fish for the day. This time size definitely did not matter and I was very chuffed with my first River Test Brown Trout.

With the drought broken, everything started to fall into place, casting, sighting fish and enjoyment! We walked up the river stopping and casting at fish, I had a few follows but no takes. We then got to a pool with a few fish we could see. I put out several casts at a couple of the fish with not much interest shown but then on one of the casts the brown trout came up and took a

look at the dry fly, turned away and sank back down towards the bottom, my heart started to drop, but the fish had second thoughts and turned around and came up and sipped the fly off the surface, bang!

Fish on! A nice 3lbs brown on the end of the line on a number four rod was great fun.

The fish gave a good account for itself. I got the fish close to the side and Jon netted the fish and I had a decent sized fish! A good few pictures and the fish was released back into the river. Mission accomplished! Brown trout on the Test on dry fly!

We took a break for lunch at a country pub and the sun had come out and the day was just getting better and better, truly amazing place that is good for the soul. We had a great lunch chatting about fishing around the Globe and a few more plans laid for the future.

For the afternoon session Jon wanted to try for a salmon! This is the holy grail of fly fishing, a salmon on the River Test!

I had a shot in the morning but this was a bit rushed and now we were prepared. Jon had a spot he thought might work and on arriving we saw a big salmon sitting at the end of a small pool. We had a bridge we could fish off and started casting the salmon fly back to the fish. After a few attempts the fish showed no interest but this was window shopping at its best! You want it so bad, you are willing to do almost anything.

After a while we changed our angle and tactic a bit and I put the fly into a deep hole to try run the fly back to the fish, but the fly got “stuck”. I thought it was weed and gave the rod a bit of a tug and all hell broke loose! The small pool erupted and this massive bar of silver started going wild in the pool that seemed way to small for the fish! I tried to tighten up on the rod and reel but as quick as it started it was over! I had just lost a fish of a lifetime! A big salmon on the River Test, after the initial shock we all packed out laughing and could not believe what had just happened! That fish will live

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on in my memory for the rest of my days and will most probably haunt me to the day I die! The story will definitely be repeated many times on the future and the fish will most probably grow in size!

After trying and trying to get another hookup on a salmon we finally had to call an end to the day and headed back to the hut.

On the way back at dusk, Jon said “Let’s have one last try at the evening hatch”.

There was a bit of wind and the hatch was minimal but we tried close to the hut and a few fish started rising. I had a few attempts and misses. Then as the last bit of daylight disappeared and I could no longer see the fly or the line, I could only see the line landing on the water. I had one last chance. I saw a fish rise up about five metres from the bank, I put out a cast in the general direction and watched the water, I saw a fish rise in the general location of where I thought my fly might be, I took a total chance and struck! Bang fish on! I fought the brown as the last disappeared and darkness fell across the river, Jon landed the fish for me to a good few high fives and pictures taken.

It does not get much better than that to end a wonderful experience and day on the Broadlands Estate on the River Test!

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KEEN Footwear Range Launched in the GCC Words By: Keith Pereña Photos By: Jung Francisco

The United States headquartered and internationally renowned footwear brand KEEN launched their product range in a high profile event in the Conrad Hotel in Dubai on the 4th of August 2015. One of the coolest and most innovative footwear brands in the world, KEEN is known for its lifestyle and outdoor performance shoes and toeprotecting sandals. The brand has already found good acceptance in this market and the formal launch will provide a platform for customers to get the entire range of KEEN products easily.

The launch was graced by the presence of Mr. Snehashis Chakrabarty, CFO of the Al Abbas Group; Mr. Pepe Lozano, International Sales Director of KEEN and Mr. Chandy, Managing Director of Hadi Enterprises.

The lavish event witnessed the display of KEEN’s entire catalogue of sandals, boots and shoes that are ideal for hiking and other outdoor activities thanks to their revolutionary toe protection areas that ensure safety when climbing. The sandals also provide utmost comfort so that you not only have a safe hike, but a convenient one as well.

Another plus factor is that they are made of organic materials, making these pairs the healthiest and most comfortable shoes ever to hit the UAE. The KEEN range will initially be available at Hadi Enterprises’ retail showroom at Karama, Dubai, and selected outlets of Sun & Sand Sports, Adventure HQ, Impressions, Sports One, K Corner and TOG. Outlining the history of KEEN, Mr. Pepe said that the brand started out when a couple of guys kept getting fed up of stubbing their toes whenever they wore sandals in their boat. Founded in 2003 by Rory Fuerst, KEEN began with a simple design question - can a sandal protect your toes? The answer was ‘yes’, and the iconic Newport sandal was born: a game-changing close-toed performance water sandal that sparked the KEEN hybrid design philosophy. From then on KEEN developed and innovated shoes, boots, sandals, flip-flops and slides which have proved so popular because they are

so comfortable. “All KEEN products are developed with the consumer in mind and we really are a business with a conscience.

We have ensured that materials used in the construction of KEEN footwear come from recycled sources wherever possible, making KEEN a true eco brand. We have created more than 300 different styles of footwear across water, hiking, lifestyle, winter, kids and utility styles, as well as bags and socks, and have created a cult following of fans around the globe that share a love for outdoor adventures,” he added.

These pairs will easily find themselves at home in the vast outdoor community of the UAE. They just tick all the right boxes – ecofriendly, comfortable and safe. With KEEN’s launch, the UAE outdoor community can rejoice as they have something great to enjoy their future adventures in.

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Designed for long distance backpacking and wild camping, the Ultralite lives up to its name; lightweight with a small pack size without compromising on warmth.

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Natural History LIFESTYLE

Going Wild on

Presents

Words By: Dan Wright

Every year parents and friends have to go through the process of choosing gifts for children and each other and sometimes it can be a real pain in the rear trying to come up with something new and unusual, something that won’t just go in a drawer or in a cupboard and get forgotten about!

If you have been following my series on wildlife and natural history then you will know that there is a huge range of outdoor adventures to be had in the United Arab Emirates. So many different environment based interests from bird watching to beetling and diving to wadi hikes.

This month I’m going to give you a few simple suggestions for gifts for birthdays and holiday seasons that will help your child or friend get started and get into the natural world of the Arabian Peninsula.

Books:

Many titles are now out of print and I have had to patiently search through secondhand book shops to find books specifically about the UAE. There’s an excellent secondhand book shop in the religious enclave outside Ras Al Khaimah on the truck road and I have found many great UAE, Arabian wildlife and natural history books there. Here are a few that you can find in book and charity shops that will get you started.

1. Environmental Atlas of Abu Dhabi Emirate – Published by the En-

vironment Agency in Abu Dhabi. This very big but excellent book is the perfect study guide for all matters related to geology and geography of the Abu Dhabi Emirate.

It is full of useful and easy-to-use graphs and pictures and is by far one of the best books in my collection about the UAE. It costs around 400 AED and is available in most book stores.

2. Jebel Hafeet, A Natural History –

Edited by Simon Aspinall and Peter Hellyer (two names you will hear regularly associated with the natural world in the UAE).

This is an excellent book if you want to find out all about the plants and animals that are native to the area around the highest mountain in the UAE “Jebel Hafeet”. The book comprises a series of studies and articles by preeminent environmentalists in the UAE and is a fascinating insight into all subjects related to the natural world.

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3. Snakes of Arabia: A Field Guide to the Snakes of the Arabian Peninsula and its Shores – By Damien Egan.

Another book you can easily find in book stores around the country like Kinokuniya in the Dubai Mall. It is a field guide (for budding herpetologists) to the snakes of the Arabian peninsula and it is small enough to carry in a backpack as a quick reference.

4. Wild About Reptiles: Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of the UAE – By Marycke Jongbloed. This

authoress is synonymous with all matters related to the wilderness in the UAE and her fantastic range of books is much sought after and hard to find! Definitely a few trips to charity bookshops is what’s needed to turn up a book by Marycke these days. I have almost the whole range of her books and they are easy to carry in a backpack and make great field study references.

5. Field Guide to the Birds of the Middle East – By Porter, Christensen and

Schiermacker-Hansen. This is possibly the definitive guide to birds (great for budding ornithologists) in the Arabian Peninsula.

You can find bird guides (usually as annual research papers) specific to the UAE but I find that this book encompasses so many

species and gives you scope to visit Oman and other places like that in the holidays but only need to carry one book.

6. Creatures of Arabia: Sea Creatures – This is part of the Crea-

tures of Arabia series and is written by Sue Graves and Frances LaBonte. It is an excellent resource for students and gives you a good insight into what creatures live under the seas around us. There are plenty of color pictures too!

7. Creatures of Arabia: Mammals –

Also a part of the Creatures of Arabia series and this one is written by Mike Unwin and Frances LaBonte. It is an excellent student reference and covers the wide range of mammals living on the Arabian Peninsula.

Equipment: 1. Binoculars (Day) – No self-respecting naturalist (and probably most naturists too!) would head out into the wilds without a good pair of binoculars and the range is so vast that it will seem difficult to choose which ones are best suited to what you want them for. Bird watchers may need more powerful models as birds are often very far away but a general wildlife watcher doesn’t need to spend too much money and

Small Day and Large Night binoculars

anything that is around 8x40 or 10x25 for about 150 AED will suit most purposes.

2. Binoculars (Night) – Night vision or

LIU (Light Intensification Units) are much more expensive than regular binoculars because of the technology needed to turn night into that fuzzy green daylight you see on the Discovery Channel. But it opens up such a fascinating world that it is worth the investment! So much Arabian wildlife comes out at night because it is cooler to hunt and move around. If you set yourselves up with a couple of camping chairs in a wadi bed near a water source you will very likely see a wide range of wildlife you’d have no chance of seeing in the day time. These will cost anything from 900 AED in Dragon Mart to 5000 AED in some of the more mainstream electronics shops.

3. Notepad and Pen – To record what

you have seen and where and when!

4. Backpack – A daysack (15-25 litres) is fine for most trips and all you really need is something to carry your binoculars, notepad and pen, lunch, bottles of water, first aid kit, sun shade and a reference book or two!

Camouflage or natural tones like khaki or dull grey are best to stop you sticking out like a sore thumb on the landscape!

Always follow any Wildlife Protection Orders you see posted in the wilderness

5. First Aid Kit – Most outdoors shops

like Adventure HQ , Decathalon and GO Sport, sell ready-made first aid kits and they contain everything you’ll need for a simple emergency like small cuts and grazes or dehydration or sun stroke.

them (it helps stop the ankle from breaking).

Most outdoor stores stock these and if you wait for the sales you can get a great deal!

You should spend from 200 to 600 AED on a decent branded pair of boots and fabric boots don’t need to be broken in before using them.

So now you have a few simple ideas for gifts that you can buy for anyone who wants to get into the natural world. Remember as always that it is best to go out with a more experienced person the first few times and you should always observe wildlife protection orders (signs that you will see in the wild) and always follow the “Country Code”: “Take nothing but Photos, Kill nothing but Time, Leave nothing but Footprints”.

6. Pocket Knife – My favorite is the Leatherman which is basically a cross between a Swiss Army penknife and a pair of Pliers and is so useful in the outdoors that I never go out without it! Easy to find in hardware stores and outdoor stores.

7. Walking Boots – And by this I mean boots with a proper sole (like Vibram) and a high ankle to support your ankles if you twist

Daysack

Leatherman Multi Tool

About the Author: Dan Wright is a freelance Wilderness Guide in the UAE and Asia, prior to that he worked for an Emirati Citizenship program. He has a degree in Environmental Science. Dan has been on several International wildlife and exploration expeditions with UK Radio stations and writes for a range of publications in Asia and the Middle East. His wife is the former Nepal National Mountain Bike Champion, Nirjala Tamrakar (See OutdoorUAE, issue44, page 8). They live in Fujairah with their son Percy and spend all their spare time exploring the UAE!

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LIFESTYLE

My Thoughts About Hunting Words By: Daniel Birkhofer

This subject kept us busy for some days, if not weeks, last month after we received a lot of feedback in regards to some hunting photos in Africa. We had many discussions with supporters of both sides, and as mentioned in the editorial, giving an answer to that questions raised as a result of the pictures would be very hard.

Yet we would like to share some thoughts, opinions and information, and hope that this will help both sides to understand each other better. At some points in this article, I will also share my personal opinion without claiming that it is right.

The strongest arguments against hunting in general are propagated by vegans. But to answer the question of hunting, one has to ask him or herself: “Do I eat meat?” which is obviously, an animal. If you are against hunting, you would be in a weak position if you consume meat. We spoke to many people who said that hunting is bad but still go to the supermarket and buy meat.

It is a fact that a single kilo of animal meat requires multiple of kilos of vegetables to feed the animals first. Therefore feeding the world’s population would be easier and more efficient if we were all vegetarians. Another argument that hunting has affected animal populations and even extinct species in the past is also true. The point here is that there are many good arguments on both sides, which means that the case is not simply black and white.

What differentiates a deer or an antelope from a fish or a cow? There is no solid argument; why we care about some animals more than others is just perception. If we see a wild animal in Africa or a cute fawn we are generally more likely to feel pity. The idea

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that animals have a consciousness should apply to all animals, not only the ones we consider as cute on postcards and in photos.

Nowadays,people are so detached that they don’t stop and think that the meat they buy in the supermarket or in a restaurant is in fact a dead animal. We also tend to consume and desire only parts of animals rather than using the whole animal like how it was done generations before. With industrialisation, our meat consumption increased and most of the animals we consume nowadays come from overcrowded mega farms where they might never even see daylight or a green lawn.

More than 90% of the world’s population consumes meat, so a significant majority of us accepts and drives this situation. With this in mind, I don’t think that anyone who eats meat is in the proper position to argue about hunting.

Hunting endangered species is an absolute no go, and poaching is illegal, so I think these two points are out of the question for anyone.

Trophy hunting is most likely the most controversial form of hunting and I personally don`t like it. Yet I do understand the economic factors of the industry that also brings benefits to these countries. As bad as it sounds, if something has an economic value, it is worthwhile protecting especially in poor countries. Therefore I think it is too naive to just say “Leave the animals and their habitat untouched,” since this would never happen. Our very existence puts a strain on the world with almost everything we do.

Pollution, fire clearing and human expansion is certainly a much bigger threat than a man with a gun. Don’t get me wrong on this point.

I think any cause – big or small - that is trying to protect the smallest area or a single animal is certainly worth it. I just want to put hunting in perspectivein relation to the all the other damage we do to our environment and how most people don’t seem to care about it.

Hunting should be done correctly! I speak here personally as well as the standpoint of

the magazine. There is always a way of how things should be done and how they should not be done. Any good hunter has a great respect for animals and it has nothing to do with the desire to kill. Hunting is in our nature, and some have more of it running through their veins than others.

Yes, you could argue that now we should evolve from our caveman habits, but by the end of the day it is still in us. A good hunter knows his tools,be it a gun or a fishing rod.

A good hunter is that which hunts for food, meaning he will use the whole animal for consumption. Hunting might also be a necessity to maintain livestock, due to shrunken habitats or natural predation, even if these animals are not good for consumption. In fishing, there are also new approaches like catch and release or catch, tag and release, which has demonstrated a positive impact among fishermen. Since value is added to habitats and the animal itself, some endangered species actually have a better chance of survival.

Sane hunters have no interest in contributing to an animal’s extinction or destroying their habitat. It might sound strange, but I believe that hunters are ultimately protecting animals and their survival rather than being a threat.

Should children hunt? I think if they have the right teacher and are under supervision, why not. I also think that the more you know about the animals and the tools you use to hunt, the better your understanding and skills will be. To use the tools correctly and to and respect the animals. Cultural differences play a big role in this question but as always you can do things wrong or you can do them right. And if done right I see more benefits in early education than disadvantages.

I hope that with sharing these thoughts, we can generate a bit more understanding for both sides, those who support hunting and those who are against it. This article was published because of the argument we generated with some hunting photos in last month’s issue. In six years of the magazine we never featured hunting, and OutdoorUAE magazine will not feature hunting articles apart from our regular fishing articles. Wildlife in the region is so rare, that there would be no argument or good reason for hunting in the region. So we hope that both sides will continue reading the magazine with exactly the content we have had in the magazine for the past years.

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Habitually healthy Paleo Cheesecake Words By: Chef Patrick Ikinofo Recipe By: Junior Chef Abhishek Chaudhary

Hey Habitualites, Chef Patrick here from the Cycle Bistro; as I was saying last month, we kicked off our new menu on the first of August, and although it was a little rocky to begin with - having not really knowing the team too well and trying to push them to their limits both mentally and physically, we are slowly getting there, step by step, shift by shift and one recipe at a time.

We would like to also thank all our customers and regular guests for all their feedback the past month as it has really opened our eyes into what, YOU, the customer really wants.

Anyway, back to food — the team and all things nice; I’d like to introduce one of my Junior Chef’s, Abhishek Chaudhary from the city of Nawabs, Lucknow, India. His inspiration comes from his mother and the times he had spent cooking with her back in his family home on weekends as a child. He’s been with the company since 2013 and like myself knew nothing about Paleo before he got here.

Over the past two years he has battled it out in the dungeons, as it is his first professional kitchen that he has worked in since leaving college and slowly but surely, he is on his way to becoming something great.

I like my team to think for themselves and to try their own recipes and ideas, I still remember the first time I was granted the

chance to do the daily special in the early years of my career; it was like being asked to join the All Blacks Rugby Team or something like that. The thrill you get when you cook something that is all yours, it sells and you get great feedback from your guests is something that really makes you feel like it’s all worth it at the end of the day. Especially after being chased around the kitchen getting told to hurry up every single second or being told it’s not good enough, or your nine-hour shift turns into a 12 without you even realizing it, even being on the brink of tears because your chef seems to be only screaming at you and no one else: definitely a career that is only cut out for the strong-minded, eager, mad and crazy few who dare to get into it.

Anyways after pushing Abhishek day after day to come up with something for this article he finally came to me one day and said “Chef I want to make a Paleo ‘Cheesecake’ with berries, basil and honey.” And finally I thought to myself… About time. I told him to show me the recipe before he went ahead and then get cracking. After a quick glimpse over his notes he got stuck in something like I had never seen before and this was the end result.

Ingredients:

For the Base Dates - 500gm Desiccated coconut - 200gm Ground almonds - 200gm Coconut oil - 50mL For the Filling Cashew nuts (raw) - 300gm Coconut cream - 400mL Coconut milk - 400mL Juice of 3 lemons Honey to taste For the Garnish Fresh or frozen berries Basil leaves Honey

Method:

1. Mix all the base ingredients in a bowl and bind together until you form a dough like texture add a little ground almond if it seems to sticky. Roll out and line your pre oiled cake or tart tin.

2. For the filling blend all ingredients in a high speed blender until you reach a smooth and silk like texture. Fill your lined cake or tart tin and place in the freezer overnight. Once frozen remove the cake from the tin and place on your preferred serving dish to de-frost.

3. Garnish with berries, toasted cashews, basil and a drizzle of honey.

The Cycle Bistro GPS location: Latitude: N 25° 02.792 Longitude: E 055° 14.384 Phone: 04 425 6555

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GoPro Hero4 Session Words + Photos By: Ian Ganderton

The New Hero4 Session brings a radically new format to the GoPro range. Gone is the distinctive rectangular format and waterproof casing. Instead it has a very clean and minimalist cubic design.

I was given one to try and test. To do this, I took the new toy and my sand bike out into the desert near Al Qudra. Here’s what I found: First impression is they have taken just the lens off the “normal” cameras and just removed everything else. I was immediately impressed. It’s so much smaller and feels so much lighter than anything I’ve used before.

I’ve been using GoPro’s for a while and the Session was immediately put next to the Hero2 and 3 cameras I have in my bag. The key to GoPro’s success in the POV/mountable camera market has been their reliable excellent image quality, their ease of use and the number of mounting options readily available. This last point has always been the competition killer for me. Other POV cameras might offer slight improvements in image quality or techy upgrades like GPS but in my experience, it’s the availability of

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loads of super easy to use mounting options that leave the rest of the market behind. A quick check over of the Session revealed that this camera takes all these options and multiplies them by 10.

The Session does not replace the “traditional” format GoPro, the Hero4 Silver and Black models are the rectangular format in a waterproof case. I didn’t have the opportunity to do back to back testing of the Session against these models. Other reviewers have found the standard models to have “very very slightly if you look closely, better video image quality compared with the Session plus they are waterproof to a greater depth (30 metres as opposed to the Session’s 10 meters)”.

In testing I found the image quality to be up to GoPro’s normal very high standards but I didn’t particularly push it hard in this respect. I was out in the desert in bright sunny conditions. All cameras work better with lots of light and this was no exception.

The LCD screen on the normal GoPros is gone and the various buttons have been replaced with one obvious button (start and stop) and one very discreet (Wi-Fi) on the back. With the waterproof case gone, I found these had a much better feel even with gloves on. Operating buttons through a waterproof case always feels quite vague and so this is a huge improvement. I had no moments when I wasn’t sure if I’d pressed a button or not. Pressing the camera button starts the camera and stops the camera — dead simple and perfect for getting great video while not wasting battery or card space.

Changing the settings using the buttons was nowhere near as easy as the standard format cameras though, but the camera connected very easily to my phone and the GoPro app is very good. The reality of the

way I use a POV camera is once I have the settings I like, I’m typically not faffing with the menus much. If you are a settings faffer then the GoPro app is going to be a must for you with the Session or a GoPro Remote as it also adds the same menu setting functionality of the normal format with its LCD screen. I use my remote a lot with my Hero3.

The huge difference the Session makes over other Heroes is its mountability. Smaller and lighter is always easier to mount as it tucks in out of the way better and wobbles much less too. Road cyclists will love its small form factor and its more “aero” than other models.

The cube format offers some hugely significant benefits. For instance when mounting GoPros on the side of a motocross or DH MTB helmet, it tended to need to be stuck out on an arm. Now the frame can just be mounted directly to the helmet and the camera rotated in the frame. This is a huge deal for all side mounting situations and makes the camera massively more flexible in those scenarios. Funnily enough in writing this I’ve realised I didn’t really experiment much with

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

this in the testing as I’m so used to avoiding side mounting because the normal GoPro format doesn’t lend its self to this very well.

Note to self – explore side mounting more.

In addition to adding easy side mounting, the small form factor makes mounting possibilities feel a bit boundless. Removing the waterproof case gets rid of lots of bulk and the little black cube just seems to tuck very unobtrusively and neatly everywhere I tried to put it.

The two mounting options I see people using most are chest and helmet. Chest mounted, it felt very out of the way and, because of the weight reduction, I didn’t find

that I needed the straps done up as tightly as I do with my Hero3 to keep the vibration reduced. The black cube also doesn’t stand out like a sore thumb in pictures the way the normal silver in a waterproof case format does.

Top-mounted on a helmet it feels a lot lower profile, much more aerodynamic and less likely to catch on things.

Removing the waterproof casing from the design has a very big impact on the sound quality easily available. I’ve never been one to faff with the different backs. I keep the closed waterproof one on my Hero3 all the time and just accept that the sound is going to be unusably muffled in most cases. The Session has two microphones and the GoPro designers have done a lot in this area to make the most of them. I didn’t test it because I haven’t had the camera near the water yet but apparently they have made the mics to drain quickly. Apparently the camera will choose between the front and rear mic to minimise wind noise too. In reviewing the video after testing, I found the sound quality was massively better than my Hero3 in its waterproof case but that was obviously going to be the case. I did get a lot of noise from the morning wind that was moving lots of sand around but it was still useable. It’s going to take a bit more testing to see if I find I’m using the sound more in videos and

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not just overlaying everything with a sound track as I normally do now.

So to conclude, I’ve got to say I really, really like this new format GoPro. Its reduced size and weight, the additional simplicity in mounting options that come with the cube shape, the ease of operation with the single easy to use button, the improved sound, it’s all win-win for me.

If you need 30m waterproofness or for those that want to know they have the best image quality or the most features or the easy to faff menu then the GoPro Hero4 Silver and Black options are for you. The Session is the same price as the Silver and some folks might struggle with the less is more reasoning on value for money. The Silver definitely offers a better specification/feature list and is considered the sweet spot of value for money by many reviewers.

I’m super happy with the simplicity and efficiency of the Session though. I think this is a camera that can easily help tell a story of exciting times and adventures in the wildest of places.

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

Floaty (for HERO4 Session) 92 AED

395 AED

Available exclusively at approved retailers in September 2015

Available exclusively at all approved retailers

This easy-to-spot flotation wraps around your HERO4 Session to keep it afloat. It’s specially designed to protect your camera, while also giving you easy access to the shutter button.

Floaty is perfect for worry-free shooting in and around the water while surfing, snorkeling, wakeboarding and more.

Includes an adhesive anchor and camera tether for added security in extreme conditions.

This ultra versatile mount can be used three main ways: as a camera grip, extension arm or tripod. The folding arm is perfect for POV or follow-cam footage, and makes it easy to capture selfies without the mount appearing in the shot. When detached from the arm, the handle doubles as a camera grip.

Stored inside the handle is a lightweight, mini tripod that can be removed and used on its own or combined with the handle.

Expands to 20” (50.8cm), collapses to 7.5” (19cm).

Alpinestars Viper Air Jacket

Nolan N104 EVO Scovery Helmet

Available at Al Yousuf Motors across the UAE

Available at Al Yousuf Motors across the UAE

This fashionable, street-styled summer jacket features a mesh-on-mesh structure to offer unsurpassed levels of internal climate control. Pre-curved sleeves with Velcro® volume adjustments, together with versatile V-ring waist fit, make the Viper highly customizable. The comfort benefits are ramped up with a removable windproof inner vest lining.

The N104 EVO is an update of the N104 and combines new technical solutions with improved level of comfort. Its newly designed ventilation system, conceived with the new AirBooster Technology, now offers better internal climate control in every condition.

900 AED

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1,500 AED

Pyrotechnic Aerobatic Display Team Formed in 2010, the Twister Aerobatic Team has performed at events across Europe and the Middle East showcasing the highly efficient Silence Twister aircraft. The Team is very versatile performing daytime aerial ballets and unique, sparking evening displays with specially developed pyrotechnic effects streaming from the aircraft’s wingtips.

Below, you can read all about the two Twister Aerobatics team and Nite ambassadors – Peter Wells and Chris Burkett:

Peter Wells

Chris Burkett

Chris has been an aviation enthusiast all his life, and first flew aerobatics in a de Havilland Chipmunk as an RAF cadet. The Chipmunk also gave him an introduction to display flying, “barnstorming” as a member of Captain Neville’s Flying Circus.

For the last decade Chris has been flying high performance aerobatic types, winning several trophies in aerobatic competitions.

His display flying has taken him to shows as far afield as Bahrain, India and China, performing for major sponsors such as DHL and Skoda Cars. When he isn’t flying a Twister you may see him flying the G-Force Extra alongside an identical 40% scale radio-controlled replica.

Joining the Twister Aerobatics Team as No.2 to Peter gives Chris the challenge and the thrill of flying close formation aerobatics just a few metres away from the lead aircraft.

The Twister is a very efficient and responsive aeroplane which is a delight to fly. Its low drag and relatively low power make careful planning, good energy management and smooth flying very important for delivering a top quality Twister Aerobatics display.

Chris is also an aerodynamicist by profession; aside from planes he’s also involved in designing the wings on Formula One cars and the sails for record breaking racing yachts.

been the first team to perform pyro displays “Twister Aerobatics was my brain child. in 12 countries including Poland, Italy, the A miss spent youth spent hanging around United Kingdom and Spain. airfields resulted in me becoming a pilot at Always looking for ways to improve both a young age and seeing some of the most our equipment and performance, we have refamous display teams in action. cently added a belly pack to our pyro display I can remember thinking “one day I will do long range tank to increase range and also that.” smoke on the wing tips.

I am a composite aircraft engineer for a We use our equipment hard and reliving and came across an amazing quire it to be reliable and sturdy as we aircraft in 2005 at an air fair and operate to very high tolerances and persuaded its designers to let me failure has never been an option. build and modify one.

For us, timing is literally everyI built it, converted it to be thing both being on time but also aerobatic and certified it, and during display, split-second timing so my display career started and coordination is everything. flying the beautiful Twister as a We have the additional probsolo act. lem of operating in different light The aircraft has been described conditions in daytime in the Mediteras a fine example of flying due to ranean it can be blazing sunshine and its amazing engineering retractable Sunderland night show can be almost undercarriage and beautiful Spitfirein the dark. like looks but incredible, light Nite Watches instantly stood out weight. for me because they are beautifulProbably the most versatile ly designed to be easily read both aircraft on the display circuit, it during the day and at night. has amazing range and is very Their primary function for us is strong. to tell the time whilst at the same I always wanted to be in a team time being beautifully made and so I built another one and the robust.

Twister duo was born.

Chris wears the ICON-201L T100 We are very happy to be associated One of the most successful NIGHT VIEW with Nite as we feel it is a prodteams, uct that could have been designed we displayed in every European country specifically for our requirements. and have also displayed in Bahrain, China, Available at I hope that Nite might one day Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates.

Instagram: @almekshah make a panel mounted version as I The duo has averaged about 50 displays Facebook: www.facebook.com/almekshah would have one in every plane.” per year.

We have had to evolve to stay at the top Mobile:+971 55 9898954 Peter wears the ICON-209L T100 and so developed the pyro display, we have

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Words By: Samantha Cadwallader

The newly launched GHST run top is 100% engineered from 2XU’s industry leading X LITE PRO - the world’s lightest specialist running fabric through wet and dry conditions alike.

It is no wonder that when this stylishly sleek “tee” entered Sport In Life’s doors that a friendly fight ensued for testing the samples. You see, we are three avid athletes and extremely privileged to work with some of the most prestigious and technical brands worldwide; 2XU is one of them.

While the Australian-born brand is well-known for its leading compression apparel, it produces many other high performance sports garments and proudly lists the Australian Institute of Sport as their research and development partner.

I remember the day Team Sport In Life passed the “barely-there” GHST top around for close inspection and a fabric feel. We certainly thought it felt lush and as light as a feather, but how would it perform in our extreme desert conditions? Testing the top in the heat was not going to be a problem, but the wet test seemed a little tricky.

Last month, I headed to the Swiss mountains for arguably one of the best-known trail races in the world – the 31km Sierre-Zinal trail run. As luck would have it (or not), it rained. I had also packed the GHST as my race gear. After all, who wouldn’t pack a run top weighing just 86gsm and has runners “performing faster and freer than ever in their intelligent Singlet”? Being my first off-road race, I thought I would take all the help I could get.

I loved the race and the top! The GHST does exactly what the name suggests – it “feels” invisible and you hardly know it is there. Even in the rain, I did not feel heavy and sluggish like I normally would from a saturated run top that annoyingly sticks to your stomach. The GHST remained a lot

This is how we roll… Our GHST guys both ran sub 40 minutes in the sticky NAS 10km race conditions

Mountain goat: Race-ready with the GHST Singlet and Newton Running BOCO AT

lighter and dried far quicker than any other top I had previously worn in wet conditions.

Minimal seams ensured it was comfortable and most importantly, no chafing occurred.

If you cannot find an ice bath then use 2XU’s compression Also, the reflective trims are great for safety. products to help you recover faster so you can train harder The fact that the revolutionary knit for the Nad Al Sheba 10km race and was structure of X LITE PRO comes with ICE X equally impressed with its performance. embedded into the yarn to reflect UV rays; “Running with the 2XU GHST sleeveless keeping athletes cool, protected and shirt feels really light and ventilated. It was ventilated thanks to high level moisture the best choice for the NAS management, makes it a 10Km race conditions, which “no-brainer” as essential saw extreme heat and run kit for our region. Here, humidity. I also use it for anything that helps cool running in the sand dunes the body temperature is around Dubai. With the definitely worth investing in. increased rate of perspiration “The 2XU GHST t-shirt is it is critical that our clothing quite simply the best doesn’t get heavily soaked running top I have ever with sweat, which is why I used. In Dubai we have always choose the 2XU GHST. ridiculous heat and It’s comfortable and performs humidity and the last thing well in such conditions. It is you need to worry about also my go-to piece when is the performance of your chasing PB’s!” kit. Regardless of how If you aspire to run like a hot you are or how much pro, then start by looking you sweat, the GHST top like one. After all, if you look performs. It feels light and good and feel great you cool, it does not cling and A 12km run completed and no inevitably perform well. it does not let you down. evidence of any sweat patches Happy running!

What’s more, I have been thanks to 2XU’s GHST using the same two tops about four times a week for the last year and Garment Features they still look like new. The quality of the top • World’s lightest running singlet through dry is exceptional and X LITE PRO represents and high-sweat conditions alike the epitome of technical sports fabrications • Minimal seams and 86gsm X LITE PRO fabric for warm weather conditions.” Said multi• Reflective detailing and trims ple Kona Ironman finisher and Sport In Life COO Simon Marshall.

Available at Adventure HQ in Dubai and Abu Qualified nutritionist and endurance Dhabi and GO Sport Mall of the Emirates sports enthusiast Gustavo Netto, who 230 AED (GHST singlet) manages our GU Energy, MuleBar 260 AED (GHST short sleeve shirt) and Aqualyte brands, chose the 2XU GHST

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PRODUCTS Millet BAIKAL 750 Sleeping Bag

Millet BAIKAL 1500 Sleeping Bag

Left Zip

Left Zip

425 AED/QAR, 46.2 OMR

555 AED/QAR, 60.3 OMR

Available exclusively at all GO Sport stores

Available exclusively at all GO Sport stores

Trekking or hiking. It is the bag for summer nights out in the open. This synthetic, two-season model manages wet conditions very well.

Two-season mountaineering, synthetic-fill sleeping bag manages wet conditions really well.

Specifications: • Comfortable mummy shape.

• Synthetic-fill and polyamide shell for insulation from cold and wet.

• Double-side zip and inside anti-cold flap, Inside pocket.

• Hood with draw cord.

• Left hand zip • Capacity: 3.5L • Weight: 0.770kg • Comfort temperature: 10°C • Limit temperature: 6°C • Extreme temperature: -6°C

Specifications: • Comfortable mummy shape.

• Synthetic-fill and polyamide shell for insulation from cold and wet.

• Double-side zip and inside anti-cold flap, inside pocket.

• Hood with draw cord.

• Left hand zip • Capacity: 10L • Weight: 1.550kg • Comfort temperature: 1°C • Limit temperature: -4°C • Extreme temperature: -21°C

Fabrics • Fill: SuperMix Fibre • 3D mix of hollow silicone-coated fibres • Top: 1x100g/m². Bottom: 1x100g/m²

Fabrics: • Fill: SuperMix Fibre • 3D mix of hollow silicone-coated fibres • Top: 2x150g/m². Bottom: 1x200g/m²

Millet BAIKAL 1100 Sleeping Bag

LifeStraw Portable Water Filter

Left Zip

465 AED/QAR, 50.5 OMR Available exclusively at all GO Sport stores This two-season trekking and hiking sleeping bag which is water-repellent with synthetic insulation ensures the greatest comfort when sleeping in the wild.

55 AED

Available at all Adventure HQ stores Each LifeStraw can filter up to 264 gallons of water and stows easily in a pocket, or your backpack. LifeStraw is also perfect for hiking, camping, or whenever your travels take you to remote areas.

Specifications: • Comfortable mummy shape.

• Synthetic-fill and polyamide shell for insulation from cold and wet.

• Double side zip and inside anti-cold flap, inside pocket.

• Hood with draw cord.

• Left or right hand zip, combinable.

• Capacity: 8.5L • Weight: 1.172kg • Comfort temperature: 5°C • Limit temperature: 0°C • Extreme temperature: -16°C Fabrics: • Fill: SuperMix Fibre • 3D mix of hollow silicone-coated fibres • Top: 2x100g/m². Bottom: 1x150g/m²

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PRODUCTS Nextorch Scorpion Detector

Komperdell Trekking Sticks

Available at all Adventure HQ stores

Available at all Adventure HQ stores

Nextorch Eco Star UN Headlamp is an ultra-bright, white ultraviolet LED headlamp. The UV LED is specially designed for finding scorpions.

Trekking poles have gone from a seldom seen item to near mandatory. These trekking poles offer better balance during hikes in rugged backcountry terrain and reduce stress on your body almost by 25%.

Newton Running’s Aha Neutral Model for Men and Women

Introducing two new GU Energy flavours!

85 AED

550 AED

GU Roctane Energy Gel - Sea Salt Chocolate and GU Energy Gel - Big Apple

Available at Adventure HQ, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Optimal Fitness and Beyond Fitness

Available at Spinneys and major sports outlets

You have heard about Newton shoes, you wondered about them, and now it’s time to experience them. With a soft 5-lug P.O.P 3 platform built on a foam-filled chamber, a six millimetre drop, and a seamless upper, you have nothing to lose, and an inevitable “Aha!” moment to gain. This shoe is also a great compliment to P.O.P 1 shoes if you’re looking for a recovery or easy day shoe.

Perfect For: Active-minded, casual runners looking for a familiar, all-around shoe to keep them committed to coming back for more.

Likes: Performing with versatility at all distances for both new and experienced runners.

Ride: Familiar and forgiving — A subtle and inviting ride with some extra pep.

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395 AED

OUTDOORUAE

15 AED and 8 AED

GU gels are energy-dense calories in a portable packet – perfect for daily training and competition. Created for demanding training and racing, GU Roctane Energy Gel stands out from the original GU Energy Gel with more sodium, an electrolyte that aids in hydration and even more branched-chain amino acids (leucine, valine, and isoleucine) that reduce mental fatigue and decrease muscle damage. The amino acid beta-alanine helps promote formation of the intramuscular buffer carnosine, while ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate helps promote muscle repair.

The 100-calorie packets contain carbohydrates (maltodextrin and fructose) that use non-competing pathways to help maximize carbohydrate absorption and utilization while diminishing stomach distress. #GUFORIT

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Enjoy Life Today (Because Yesterday is Gone and Tomorrow is Never Promised) Words By: Linda Turcerova Delgado

What can possibly be better than to enjoy your free time with friends and loved ones doing the sport you like the most?

Let me tell you about that.

Being an outdoorsy water person, I felt kind of down lately because summer in the United Arab Emirates is very hot and there is very little you can do outside. If you want to go to the beach, you need to wake up at crazy hours (like 5:00 a.m.) or you need to travel outside of the country. For me, being the mom of a nine-month old child, neither are suitable options. But thanks to GO Sport and the fact that I work for OutdoorUAE, I could steal one morning for myself. I had the perfect excuse to arrange a babysitter then I called my crazy friends and hooray! – I was ready to meet them on the beach!

As I love paddling I have the chance to try different types and brands of Stand-Up Paddleboards. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes – the classic hard type, inflatable and the modular snap-tap take-apart type we have now – the Point65 Rum Runner.

Into the Water Packs Well and Quick

The Rum Runner promises to fit into almost any car. First we tried to fit it in the smallest one – a Suzuki Swift. We managed to pack it tightly into the trunk and backseat.

Although we lost all of the space at the back and the passenger seat was jammed right up to the dashboard, it saved time and money installing a roof rack and strapping down a traditional hard, longboard. It easily fits into most small cars as well.

Closer Look While Setting Up

The split of this SUP is possible due to snaptap-take-apart system with top clips on each side of the body where joints are created.

The straps look very durable and waterfriendly and will last a long time. I would imagine those would also be the first replacement parts, and with only two screws per strap, this would be an easy task for anyone with a screwdriver and two brain cells. The rest of the body is sealed in a layer of durable Polyethylene apart from the watertight compartment front and we have an awesome feature here that no other SUP has – a sealable hatch for basically anything you may want to store.

Another cool feature is a retractable fin at the back. I also found two beverage cups/ fishing rod holders which is an interesting addition. Other features such as draining plugs for draining and handles on all sides actually could make this SUP more of a hybrid kayak. It would seem it is built for a SUP feel and performance but with the comforts and stability of a kayak.

We have assembled the Rum Runner on the sand but in retrospect, it is much easier to do it in calm water. The pieces, although none being heavier than seven kilos, are light and are easier to handle in the sea. The clips are super easy to use even for three blondies.

Another super-convenient feature of this SUP – due to the “water launch” design of the back, is you can literally slide your body up onto the SUP and not risk falling when approaching from the side if you haven’t mastered this move yet. This feature will make you look like a pro even when you’re using the Rum Runner for the first time! Very cool.

Transition between kneeling to standing is also very comfortable; this SUP’s stability is due to its PE composition and the “flat kayak” body design. All pieces are rigid and hollow, yet provide a stable footprint on the surface of water. Central section includes EVA padding with cool design – cushioned to support you in any position.

Load testing (i.e. three chicks trying not to fall off at the same time) revealed that you could get two adults and one kiddo on deck for comfortable small to medium distance paddles. The Rum Runner is stable enough for SUP yoga, sun tanning, performs well in speed tests in comparison to hard SUPs however do not expect to be winning any races with it. For most hobbyists, this is not the main goal anyway so for recreational use, the Rum Runner stands well. It also is quite affordable for what it is promising to deliver – performance, convenience, versatility and fun.

The Point65 Rum Runner is available in two colours – blue and red at any GO Sport store. Price for 11.5 foot is 1,895 AED (205.00 OMR) and for the 12.5 foot, it’s 1,995 AED (216.80 OMR)

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

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PRODUCTS RFiD Phone Wallet

Lure 11.5

Available at all Modell’s Sporting Goods

Available at Adventure HQ and Al Yousuf Showrooms

The Lifeventure Digital Slim Case has a built in RFID blocking pocket on the inside of the case which will prevent any potential thieves scanning your cards.

The Lure 11.5 is the Lure 10’s bigger brother designed for longer paddling trips on rivers, lakes and oceans with more capacity and additional deck space.

The Digital Slim case has generous dimensions and will accommodate most smart phones, cameras and MP3 players. The case has a soft, brushed polyester, padded and quilted lining which will prevent your products from getting damaged or scratched.

The kayak also comes with a variety of unique features seen on Lure series kayaks including a removable multi-level extra wide Patent Pending Gravity Seat, Feelfree’s patented wheel in the keel and Uni-Track system. The Gravity Seat offers a wide range of seat heights, which is adjusted with the simple function of a lever and is removable. What really sets the Gravity Seat apart is the ability to sit flush on the deck of the kayak when additional stability and a more efficient paddling position is needed for longer distances.

Vango Aero Mat, Standard, Citron

PARA’KITO Kids’ Bands

Available at GO Sport, Adventure HQ and Modell’s Sporting Goods

Available at Adventure HQ, GO Sport, Golf House and many more retailers and merchant websites (store locator at www.mapyr.com)

50 AED

345 AED

New for 2015, the Aero uses lightweight materials to insulate the user and reduce the weight of the mat at no sacrifice to comfort or warmth. It also implements a non- slip print ensuring your sleeping bag stays on the mat, the Aero is ideal for backpackers who wish for lightweight comfort.

7,450 AED

The Lure’s super-stable 36” wide hull paired with a padded standing platform gives you the option to paddle or cast in either the sitting or standing position whether fishing inland waters or wide open oceans — this kayak fears no water.

89 AED (1 band + 2 pellets)

September means back-to-school and also back to outdoor camps and activities. PARA’KITO have recently launched the kids’ version of their famous bands. Number one natural prevention against mosquito bites, PARA’KITO refillable bands offer a unique combination: natural ingredients, patented technology, fun designs for your little ones.

The PARA’KITO pellet is soaked with essential oils. You just have to insert the pellet in the wristband. It doesn’t touch the skin of your child.

Suitable for children three years and above.

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OUTDOORUAE

The Beginner’s Safety Guide to Motocross Racing There is a simple rule in racing: dress for the crash, not for the ride.

Body Armor

Boots

The more gear you have on, the more likely you are to go home sore then to ride in an ambulance.

Motocross racing is not a fashion show.

Amateur riders, especially young beginning riders should be more concerned with wearing as much protection as possible, than with trying to look like a pro. Buying safety gear is something that a professional dealer like Al Yousuf Motors can really help with. Buying your gear online might not be the best idea since sizes on gear vary a great deal and are not always accurate. Buying locally will allow you to try on the gear before buying and also can help you if there is a warranty problem later.

Helmet

Also known as Chest and Back protectors. It is important to learn to ride with these from the beginning since they can take some getting used to. These can help protect from an impact injury by spreading the impact over a wider area. They also protect from roost (hard clods or small rocks thrown up from tires). There is a wide selection of makes and models available across all Al Yousuf Motors Showrooms.

Clothing

There should be no compromises made when selecting a helmet. If you have a $10 head, you buy a $10 helmet. This is the single most important piece of protection you will buy. A helmet should be snug going on and off but not so tight that it gets uncomfortable. There are different DOT and SNELL certification ratings that dealers can explain to you. When you strap on the helmet make sure the strap is a snug-fit so in the case of a crash, the helmet doesn’t come off.

Goggles

These should always be worn. Get used to them when you practice and you will feel naked without them later. Try different brands on while wearing your helmet to find the ones that you are most comfortable.

To race, motocross boots that cover the ankles is required. This is necessary to prevent hyperextension of the foot which causes injury. When you buy Motocross boots it is important to take the time to break-in the boots properly. If you try to race with them before they are, you will have a hard time working the controls on your bike which could result in an accident. Hence, it is always a good idea to get the boots in advance while preparing for the motocross season. If you are buying a pair for your child, get them a little big, but not too big, to allow for growth. Taking care of your boots will ensure that they last a long time.

YOUR BIKE OR ATV It is important to carefully maintain your machine. Inspect it carefully and look for any sharp edges or protruding bolts that can be eliminated to prevent them from catching on clothing or injuring a rider. Make sure grips are glued or wired on so that they will not come loose while riding. Keep control cables lubed. Do not run broken clutch or brake levers. ATVs over 90cc must be used with nerf bars.

Long sleeve jerseys are required to race along with the entire set consisting of matching pants and gloves. Additional safety is provided by BNS (Bionic Neck Support), elbow/knee protectors.

You are NOW ready to hit the track!

OUR EXPERTS

Desert Ready Diva!

Words + Photos by: Marina Bruce

Marina and her husband Neil have overlanded extensively throughout the UAE and Oman; they accompanied Mike Nott on his 2013 Oman Odyssey (OutdoorUAE #35, November 2013) which gave us Routes 17 thru 20 in the second edition of the Advanced Off-Road Routes UAE and Oman.

Their travels have taken them to some pretty remote spots, so since this edition’s theme is equipment, OutdoorUAE asked Marina about her car and what she takes with her for such a trip.

Car Modifications

“I have never seen the need to add performance modifications to a car – a good driver will take a standard car much further than a bad one will take one with extra horsepower or a larger engine transplant” said Marina, she goes on “Having said that, it pays to protect the car’s body, particularly the underside”.

1. Bash Plate

Protecting the underside of your engine is an absolute must for all cars when offroading.

The minimal cost will be more than covered when you decide to sell your car.

2. KONI Sports Shocks

Further protect your car by fitting strong sports shocks, with bump stops too where appropriate

8. Ghutra

Traditional Arabic headwear can double up as a sling or a tourniquet, or you can also use it as intended – to keep the sun from your head and neck

9. Phone Charger

3. King Springs – Linear

Marina and Neil have tried a couple of brands of springs and their favourites so far are the King linear springs. A bit more “bouncy” than progressive springs, these are expected to give a longer life.

Getting stuck is inevitable when off-roading, and a winch concealed behind the front bumper of Marina’s Patrol makes recoveries quick and easy.

4. Warn XP360 Winch with Synthetic Cable

Reliable, fast and if the synthetic cable breaks it will fall to the ground, minimising the chance of damage or injuries.

When asked if she kept a first aid kit, Marina replied “Yes of course - I have a bag of absolute essentials packed and ready to go at any time – it is always with me on off-road drives or long on-road drives.”

5. Satphone and Charger

She tells us that they drove for four years without one but after an accident with a camel occurred out of GSM range they took the plunge and bought one. It does not cost much to maintain the card and is very handy if a wheel falls off your car 300km from the nearest town in the Empty Quarter of Oman.

6. First Aid Kit

A no-brainer — and since burns are the most “popular” off-roading injury, it is ideal to carry specialist burns plasters as well as eyewash and eyedrops for the second most common injury - sand in the eyes.

7. Silicone Tape

First aid for cars – this does not stick to anything except itself, making it ideal as a temporary fix for burst pipes or hoses.

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OUTDOORUAE

When you head out to the desert there is no way of knowing how long you will be out there, so it pays to keep one or two chargers in case your phone battery goes flat.

“We keep all the small stuff in storage boxes, tied down securely. There is so much weight in the stuff we carry. If it were loose, it could do serious injury should the car come to a halt suddenly.”

10. Valve Stem Remover

The quickest and easiest way to deflate tyres.

You have to concentrate when doing this – if you let the tyre go down too much, you will need to dig out your compressor. Carry half a dozen valve stems just in case one should fly out when it is being removed.

11. Two Tyre Gauges – Manual and Digital

It is a good idea to carry both and if the reading is at odds with the way the tyre looks then you have something to cross-check it with!

12. Hi-Lift Jack, Baseplate and Lifters

Popped out tyre? Lift the wheel clear of the sand using the hi-lift, clean the rim, remove the valve and use your compressor to “pop” the tyre back on. Very quick – it is possible to reseat a pop-out in as little as seven minutes.

13. Basha

One of the smallest and most versatile pieces of kit we carry. Shelter, temporary desert garage, windbreak, stretcher or something to keep the dew off you if sleeping outdoors, this British army invention from the 1950s can be bought from United Kingdom military surplus stores or off eBay.

14. Ratchet Strap

Sometimes you cannot avoid carrying extra fuel inside the car; this should always be in

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compressors over the years and this high-capacity one can air up both their cars in about 10 minutes.

25. Two Synthetic Shackles

These can be quite expensive but they are so much more versatile than their metal counterparts. Use them to join snatch straps together when a very long pull is required.

If they break then there will not be a flying metal missile. Add a ribbon to them so you can identify your own. metal cans, and securely tied down using a ratchet strap.

15. Cable Ties, Duct Tape and WD40

This is a cheap and essential emergency repair kit – never leave home without them!

16. Bungee Cords

Used to tie down everything in the car (except fuel cans) or attach the basha to the vehicles for shelter

17. Gloves

You never know when you will have to touch a hot car so garden/work gloves are important (see first aid kit: Specialist Burns Plaster)

18. Tyre Wrench

Always take a second one – you never notice the original is not where it should be until you need it!

19. Seasickness Bands

Not everyone travels well and motion sickness can ruin a great day in the sand. These are available from Boots the Chemist and cost only 25 AED.

20. Rug/Blanket

When you need to check under your car have a rug or blanket handy – will protect you from scalding hot or (less likely) wet sand.

21. Window breaker/seatbelt cutter

Accidents do happen from time to time when off-road and a seatbelt cutter is safer than a Stanley knife to cut a jammed seatbelt.

22. Tubeless Repair Kit

It is easy to repair punctures when offroad with this kit, remember to check the tyre pressure a short time after the repair to ensure it is holding.

We asked Marina if she ever got stuck. “It has been known to happen” she says with a wink. “Everyone gets stuck, even the best of drivers so always travel with a second car and some kit to get you out. Even though we have a winch on one car, we still take a selection of ropes and shackles, just in case the winch should fail, or the rope is not long enough.”

23. Shovel – Large

The small folding shovels move so little sand compared to effort expended so we buy lightweight gardening shovels from a home and garden store. Mark these in some way so they won’t get mixed up with other people’s.

24. Compressor – ARB Twin Portable Complete with Extra-Long Hose and Inflator Marina and Neil have tried many

26. Two Rated Shackles – Metal

Sometimes recovery points have sharp edges so you need to carry metal shackles in additional to the synthetic ones. Always use rated shackles (safe weight load will be stamped on them) – you can paint them in your favourite colour to save them getting mixed up.

27. Snatch Strap

You should never use a tow rope when extracting a vehicle from sand, instead use a snatch strap. These stretch when under pressure and your vehicle is “snatched” from the stuck using kinetic force – much gentler and safer than a towrope.

28. Viking Rope

These look like ships ropes and they are generally short with a lot of elasticity. It is rumoured the name came from the person who made the first one – a Swedish man who worked in shipping in Dubai.

29. Old Winch Rope

Winch ropes do not last forever but do keep your old synthetic ones. They are great to extend the reach of your winch rope, and can also be used to tie off and slowly release a car stuck at a dangerous angle; and, as they are “old”, they are expendable.

“Surely your Patrol must be full by now” we joke, but Marina still has a few essentials to add.

30. GPS – Garmin Montana (276C for back-up)

We load satellite imagery before we head out to the desert, as well as previous tracks, routes and waypoints for the area we are going to. The Montana saves up to 200 tracks and unlimited waypoints.

31. GoPro Hero3

Always a must when you are overlanding, you are driving so far and for so long you don’t want to stop every five minutes for pictures.

32. Garden Spray (pump type)

Did you know wet skin cools down 26 times faster than dry skin? If you have to get out of your car for prolonged periods when it is hot spray yourself with water and you will be so much more comfortable.

33. Coolbox

The “Cool Ice” keeps food cold for a couple

of days, even in desert temperatures. A fridge is also a good thing to have but they are up to 10 times the cost of a coolbox.

34. Jump Leads

Batteries in the UAE tend to fail with little or no warning so it is worth carrying jump leads when camping to ensure both our cars will start in the morning.

35. Spare Fluids for Car

Make sure they are bagged and secured in an upright position!

36. Toolkit

A variety of pliers, hammer, screwdrivers, adjustable spanners. Could come in handy (the Omani army used Marina and Neil’s tools to repair and replace her lost wheel – see Satphone and charger).

37. Oven Bags

There is nothing like hot food in the winter, but we never have time to stop and cook.

The answer comes by way of good planning and oven bags (the long ones you use for fish). Stick up to three pies or some plum cake into the bag, seal well with the provided tie and wedge into a small space in your engine. Cook at 4800cc for two hours and they should be done to perfection! Also works well with pre-cooked pizza and onion bajees.

The person who introduced Marina to cooking by engine always uses foil but she thinks oven bags keep out more sand!

Plus

Tents, camping chairs, table, foam mattresses, blankets, pillows, groundsheets, windbreakers BBQ, camp kitchen, trivet and kettle Battery light and torches We can literally fill two cars with all our kit when we are on one of our “grand” expeditions!

OUR EXPERTS

Dive Arabia:

The Essentials Words + Photos By: Jake Lyle

It’s not often that you encounter an area that offers a multitude of different underwater conditions and environments that can perfectly suit any diver’s needs - underwater conditions that cater to those who like warmer waters or cooler waters, cave dives or reef dives, drift dives or static water dives.

Much of this underwater domain is hidden from the rest of the world, preserved and sheltered, and much of it is still yet to be explored. It’s spread across numerous bodies of water, including The Persian Gulf, The Red Sea, The Indian Ocean and The Gulf of Oman. This area is the Middle East.

Although this variation and diversity offers fantastic and unique diving experiences, it also requires the correct equipment that can make the experience much more enjoyable and a lot safer. Although the essentials to Scuba Diving are obvious (Mask, Regulator, BCD, Tank and Fins), the Middle Eastern waters are unique, and have their own characteristics that require careful consideration.

Within the waters of the Middle East, there is much to be enjoyed — from large and exciting marine life, to mysterious crystal clear caves. By having the right equipment, the experience will be enriched and enhanced.

Similarly, like all dive locations, there are hazards that are scattered throughout these waters, which range from devious discarded fishing nets, to strong and deceptive currents that are capable of separating divers from their groups, and groups from their dive boats. But all such problems have solutions, and a few of those are outlined here.

As every resident of a Middle Eastern country is fully aware, the area gets its fair share of sunlight and humidity, often seeing the air temperature peak above 50°c.

Although the sea doesn’t share the exact same temperatures as the air, the temperature of the water (nearer to the surface) can reach over 36°c in some parts of the Persian Gulf. To put that into perspective, the average recommended shower temperature is between 41°c and 48°c, making the surface of the water just a few degrees lower than this. With that in mind, in the summer months the ideal exposure suit to use would be a short wetsuit, with 2mm thickness.

Although the temperatures within the first few metres of the surface of the water may be topping 30°c, as you descend below, the temperatures alter greatly. It may be tempting to just wear swimming shorts and a rash guard instead of a wetsuit, but people often can misjudge what the temperature will be like deeper below the water, and assess their exposure suit of choice only on surface temperature. A wetsuit also protects a diver from potential cuts or scrapes from corals, the unlikely event of a jellyfish sting,

or brushes against a sharp sunken object, which are especially important if you’re diving in one of the many shipwrecks scattered throughout the Arabian seas, making a wetsuit the better choice. Alternatively, in the winter months, both the air and water temperatures in the region drop quite dramatically, and the water specifically tends to hang around the 19 - 21°c mark. With that in mind, a long 3-4mm wetsuit would be the better choice, making you comfortable both on the surface and underwater.

As mentioned, the strength of currents can vary in certain areas throughout the Middle Eastern seas and because of that, you want to be prepared. There are a number of precautions you can take in the event of strong currents in order to guarantee a safe dive.

The first thing to do is to ensure that you have a durable and strong pair of fins, with no rips or tears and with strong clips and clasps (if the fins are the kind that strap onto booties). Although it may sound peculiar, make sure the fins are made for diving. Too often I have seen amateur divers 25 metres underwater with the type of swimming fins on that are used to teach children and toddlers to swim in paddling pools. Although a difference between the two types may not at first seem obvious, when a strong current moves in whilst you’re submerged below the water with 30kg of equipment on your back, and you have a pair of paddling fins on your feet, the difference will be made very clear, very fast. Keep in mind that strong currents aren’t always a bad thing, as they can make for a tranquil and relaxing drift dive, where no actual swimming is required and you just act as a passenger to the flow of water and take in the surroundings (my favourite type of dive).

As an extra precautionary measure, an emergency surface marker buoy can be a good investment. It’s simply an orange rolled up tube that can be inflated and sent to the surface in the event of you being

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

separated from your group or vessel that will alert them to your position. It easily fits into your BCD (Buoyancy Control Device – the “jacket” that the tank is strapped to) pocket, is easy to use and when the time comes, it is incredibly effective. More commonly, the emergency surface marker buoy is used outside of emergencies, when divers simply want to tell their boat where they are so they can be picked up once they have surfaced (instead of a long strenuous swim).

Another common hazard that haunts the Arabian seas is the plethora of discarded fishing nets. After oil, fish are the most valuable resource that the region exports.

In 2014, Oman’s volume of catch topped over 200,000 tons, which means a lot fishing nets would have been put to use. Unfortunately, it is a frequent occurrence that some of these nets are discarded onto reefs or suspended in the water, either purposefully or accidentally. Such occurrences have devastating consequences. These nets can trap coral, marine species and even the occasional diver. This is why a dive knife is another Middle Eastern sea essential. A discarded net can be one of the greatest dangers to a diver, causing panic, entanglement, or sometimes even worse. That’s why having a small dive knife with a sharp blade and quick release strapped to the outside of your leg or hooked onto your BCD is of paramount importance. It increases your chances of being able to disentangle yourself exponentially, or even disentangle a fellow diver.

Although not a hazard, the green water

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colour that frequents the seas in the area (Dubai especially), is a major obstacle to any photography aficionados. This green tint can often spoil the colours of the different corals and landscapes underwater, and make it very hard to capture the vibrancy that is so unique to the area. For the many underwater cameras that don’t offer the setting to adjust the hue and saturation (GoPros especially), a magenta camera filter works wonders on the colour, and is a sure fire way around this obstacle. It’s a small screen that fits onto the outside of the case on top of the lens and adds the colours that are missing and removes that fluorescent green that is so abundant. This green water colour is more frequent closer to the coast and at shallower depths, but further and deeper out, this green turns to blue – a magnificent blue in areas like the offshore reefs in the Red Sea or the northern side of Musandam. This too however can work against your photos and

Photo: Quincy Dein Rider: Kai LennyQuincy Dein Rider: Kai Lenny Photo:

Precisely intuitive.

the blue can replace the other colours that the reefs and landscapes are showing off.

The solution to this is a red filter. Similar to the magenta filter, but a darker shade, this works in the same way, and improves the quality and colour of photos dramatically.

The hazards and obstacles outlined here are important and are not to be ignored.

However, after measures are taken for preparation and prevention, the risks that these hazards pose are minimised, leaving only one more box to tick – to enjoy the dive. Diving in the Middle East is truly a unique experience, and it offers many things that the rest of the world does not.

And while there are certain hazards in these waters, they are greatly outweighed by the abundance of beauty and excitement below the surface. From beautiful corals to giant Whale Sharks, the diving in the Middle East is awe-inspiring, so get out there and dive.

Just equip yourself properly to do so.

Precisely intuitive.

The 2015

PIVOT The 2015 Freeride/Wave

PIVOT

Sizes: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14

The Pivot emerges as a smooth,Freeride/Wave all-around freeride/wave kite for a wide range of riders and styles.

Sizes: 4, 5, axis 6, 7,of8,rotation 9, 10, provides 11, 12, 14quick and easy turning, intuitive steering Its overall structure and ability to pivot on a small and predictable power development. It features a medium aspect ratio for substantial low-end power, a “sheet-in The Pivot emerges as a smooth, all-around freeride/wave kite for a wide range of riders and styles. and go” feel, easy jumping and great upwind performance. Thanks to its ability to make precision turns on a small Its overallaxis structure and ability to pivot on a small rotation and easy turning, intuitive steering with minimum power increase in theaxis turn,ofthe Pivotprovides is also thequick perfect tool for smooth kiteloops. and predictable power development. It features a medium aspect ratio for substantial low-end power, a “sheet-in and go” feel, easy jumping and great upwind performance. Thanks to its ability to make precision turns on a small minimum powerfreeride increase Pivot is also the perfect smooth Asideaxis fromwith being a fantastic kite,in the the turn, Pivot’sthecharacteristics also maketool it a for great wavekiteloops. kite. Its lightweight

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Aside fromdelivers being asmooth fantastic freeride kite, theturns Pivot’s also it a great wave lightweightThe design delivers power, controlled and superior a varietyforofforgiving wind andstrapless wave conditions.

ABSsmooth bridle also helps decreaseturns the amount of pulldrifting on theinharness riding. The ABS bridle also helps decrease the amount of pull on the harness for forgiving strapless riding.

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QATAR EXPLORER

Make a SPLASH in Doha, Qatar Watersports and Waterparks Words By: Eulogy van Dyk Photos By: Erlanka Paquet

We all know by now that the best place to spend your time during summer is either on top of or in the water! Yes it’s hot of course, and we know that it is not so tempting to spend time outside, but the waters of Doha does promise you some fun in the sun, which makes it all worthwhile.

Unfortunately there are not many natural and public beaches in Doha to cool down during the hot summer months. So if you don’t want to spend your cash on a hotel swimming pool or drive all the way to the other side of the country for a day at the beach, we have a great alternative for you.

How about a “quick splash” combined with some watersport activities to get the adrenaline pumping again? We have listed three recommended places to visit:

Visit Aqua Park Qatar

The first ever theme park in Qatar offers

action-packed water fun! With more than 15 adrenaline-charged water attractions, the Aqua Park has all the ingredients that would allow you to set the tempo for your day out.

Catch a wave in the wave pool (which has six different patterns and intensities of artificial waves), drift off in the surf or let the waves carry you away! Test your fear of heights on the four-storey high water slide, or ride the boomerang if you dare! This include a series of hair-razing twist and turns in the dark with surprising dips and curves to ensure this gets your heart rate rising.

But if you are looking for a more relaxed time, grab a tube and enjoy a lazy river cruise meandering around the park. Or cool off in the Lagoon Pool with a soothing massage in the Jacuzzi Cave.

The park is the perfect playground for families and friends that would like to enjoy a day out in the sun! It is also good to know that there are lifeguards on duty but of course the responsibility lays with oneself first.

The park is located 30km outside of Doha and open from 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. on weekdays, with a special Ladies Day on Tuesdays from 2:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, the park is open from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. and Saturday are Family Days from 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Visit Katara Beach

Conveniently located in Doha, spanning just over 1.5km, you will find this natural beach.

A perfect setting for either a relaxing day of bathing in the sun or doing the exact opposite; testing out all their action-packed beach activities.

Water-skiing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding, parasailing, jet ski and banana rides.

Windsurfing, Hobie Cats, sea paddleboats or kayaking – pick and choose your favourite activity and go out and play! All the activities vary in price and works on a first come, first served basis. It is also good to know that you can take lessons in some of the activities, but pre-booking for this is required.

There is also a children’s play area as well as child-friendly watersport activities to do.

The beach is open during summer from 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Please note that there is a strict dress code for ladies and men at the beach – more information can be found on their website about this.

Call a Friend – Privately owned Speedboats

Then of course, it is not always “what you know, but who you know”. Some expats and locals alike invest in a speedboat during their time in Qatar so you can go out and make a splash whenever you like! There are three main marinas where you can moor your boat in Doha, one at the Marriot Hotel and the other at The Pearl, Porto Arabia and at Qanat Quartier beach. So when you are lucky enough to meet someone that owns a boat, pack in your cooler box with ice cold drinks and some snacks, watersport equipment, lifejackets and head out for some fun in the sun!

No matter what time of year you will always find something to do in Qatar! And the hot summer months which limits our other activities creates the perfect opportunity to explore the water adventures Qatar has to offer. No excuses come and visit!

Katara Beach - parasailing

Aqua Park Qatar - Lazy River

Contact Details: Aqua Park Qatar

www.aquaparkqatar.com

+974 449 05872/73/78

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Show 2015

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OUR EXPERTS

Casting Far from Shore Words + Photos by: Kit Belen

Winter is coming and with it, the possibility of longer fishing hours and road trips to new fishing areas that are just too hot to fish in the summers.

The past few years, I have been quite tangled with fly fishing and kayak fishing. While I still love those types of fishing, I have been increasingly involved in all sorts of shorebased fishing. The convenience of fishing a walk away from your car appeals to me a lot because of my work schedule and it also gives me more time to fish with my little girl.

This coming winter, we’ll be exploring places where it might not be practical to take a kayak or a small boat and would be better explored with lures, and in some instances with bait, fished from shore. Fishing from shore and with the need to cover more ground, this type of fishing will mostly involve long rods that make very long casts to deeper water and covering more water a possibility.

Blast Off

It’s very practical to use long rods when fishing from shore. A long rod paired with a long-cast reel filled with thin line will make your casts go quite a distance from shore. In recent years, manufacturers have perfected the use of carbon on fishing rods making them thin, long, light and easier to handle than their low carbon and fibreglass counterparts from a decade ago. The pricing of these rods has also been very good for the wallets in recent time. Ten years ago, the pricing on long specialized carbon rods would have broken the bank, these days Smaller versions of jigs you use for offshore fishing can be very effective when cast far from shore

Check for quality components, sometimes the smaller manufacturers have better quality than their big name counterparts

with the increased demand and with the major manufacturers joining in on the manufacturing of high carbon fishing rods of longer lengths have made the availability and price points better for us consumers.

Gone are the days when the longest rods you see on the breakwaters are the telescoping fibreglass poles that were so popular in the United Arab Emirates 10 years ago.

Nowadays, you can see long rods being used from manufacturers such as Majorcraft, Shimano, Daiwa and Yamaga fished from the jetties dotting our coastline.

Choosing the Right Rod and Reel

With the deluge of brands available to the shore caster and the manufacturing

The Penn Sargus is a discontinued reel, but it is well built and can stand up to some pretty good fish

jargon that goes with it, it is sometimes very difficult to decipher which rod would fit your need. Most shops are not really that familiar with the unique requirements of the method, considering the fact that most people that can afford a boat have bought one and they use short rods for their fishing. The vast majority of people that cast lures such as casting jigs and plugs from shore are left to figure things out on their own.

One of the concerns of budget conscious people is – a rod that they would be able to use for different fishing styles. These are also my requirements and I have been building up my arsenal of shore jigging rods, which are also designed to cast plugs such as poppers and stickbaits to weights of up to 80 grammes. You can use it to cast baits. However, I have rods that are dedicated to bait fishing; this frees me from using the shore jigging rods while waiting for a bite on the bait rods.

Specialized rods might have been very expensive in the past, but good rods for shore jigging and plug casting have been priced reasonably lately.

The most important point for me when choosing rods for this type of fishing is the length – I would choose a rod that would be at the very least, 2.7m in length.

I fish with both Gstone and Majorcraft rods in lengths of three metres and 3.2 metres. The three metre Gstone Radegast casts lures of up to 40 grams while the 3.2m Majorcraft casts lures of up to 60 grams.

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

SEPTEMBER 2015 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

I stripped the line to show the lip taper of this long cast spool - this taper enables the line to slide off the spool in a tighter spiral, giving you longer casts

Slow pitch jigs such as these are great when worked on a long rod from shore

I use PE 1.5 for the lighter rod and use PE 2 for the heavier rod. The Radegast is rigged for small stickbaits, poppers and casting jigs while the Majorcraft Solpara Shore Jigging rod is mostly used for 40 to 60 gram jigs. Both rods retail for about 650 AED. The reels I use are the same reels I use for jigging, the reel I use with the Radegast is an old Penn Sargus – a sturdy reel with a metal body and a drag that has proven consistently over the years. Penn has stopped manufacturing this line of reels and have several offerings that are basically upgraded versions of this reel – The Battle and Conflict. These reels are lighter and are basically upgraded versions of the Sargus and are also priced very competitively.

The reel I use for the Majorcraft is the new Orra Inshore reel from Abu Garcia. I have caught a few fish with this reel since purchasing it and I am quite happy with its construction. Both reels are spooled with Suffix braid and have been relatively worry free since I got them.

I bought from Dragon Mart that are complete knockoffs of the top brands. The most important thing to remember is to buy the ones that you are most comfortable casting and if the jigs and lures you cast are suited to your rod. Rods have the max casting weight marked on the blank.

Casting Far and Away

Casting far requires a balance of rod, reel, line, weight and casting skill – the length of the rod, the thinness the line, the shape of the spool, the shape and weight of the lure and the casting stroke all contribute to a long cast and therefore, a coverage of areas where most people casting from shore would not be able to reach – an area that

does not get a lot of pressure from shore fishermen.

However, also keep in mind that this is just another method and not something that would always produce fish for you. More often than not, the fish are not even that far to begin with. At the end of it all, this is just a way for you to cast far and explore the water more.

Dreaming of Reels Screaming,

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

Jigs

All the shops in the UAE are now stocking good jigs at very good price points. I have been very happy with the jigs from Majorcraft, Zalts, Storm Gomoku, even the ones

Most rods have the basic information on the blank, always check and follow the ratings

An often overlooked aspect is the knot that connects the braid to the leader - here, I am using the FG knot, a very strong knot that doesn’t snag the guides on the cast

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Women on Wheels What It Takes to Become an Elite Cyclist Words by: Helle Bachofen von Echt Photos by: Tonya Colson

It’s been a rollercoaster ride of both experiences and emotions, all of which I had never dreamt of when I first jumped on my newly purchased road bike at Al Qudra, after relocating to Dubai at the end of 2013. Being a personal trainer and group exercise instructor, I come from a background of general fitness and have always been fit and healthy.

So why suddenly take up cycling?

Very simple: Because I wanted to be exercising in the outdoors, in the beautiful weather we have the majority of the year in the United Arab Emirates.

I joined a couple of Spinney’s Build Up rides and did noticeably well. Perhaps more surprisingly, I felt a sense of competitive edge in me that I didn’t even realise I possessed. What a journey it has been since then. I decided to throw myself fully into the sport with the thought of “What if?” What can I possibly achieve in this sport if I dedicate my time, focus and efforts?

I haven’t looked back since. I have been racing elite since two months after taking up cycling and have gone on to participate in various international races and events too, including the UCI Amateur World Championships 2014 and Danish National Championships 2015.

So what does it take to become an elite cyclist?

Well, in the UAE there are still very few elite female riders and to ensure we get our own women’s only competitions, we must grow. Therefore we welcome any riders who have a decent level of fitness, bike handling skills and a good dose of determination and willingness to grow and learn as an athlete to join as elite.

Anyone can register as an individual elite rider with the UAE Cycling Federation and this license will also allow the rider to compete in international events.

To be an elite cyclist and compete

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

outside the Middle East is a different ball game. The level of the riders increases and so does the riders’ commitment to training.

My training schedule as an amateur elite rider is 12-15 hours per week on the bike, mainly solo training but usually once a week with a group for speed and socialising. The solo training is often more of a mental than physical challenge. It’s lonely and it can be very tough to motivate oneself to push over the threshold and into discomfort over and over again. It requires some serious self discipline and stamina and it’s a skill to learn to embrace the hurt and learn how to deal with it. But this is necessary to improve both mental and physical strength. During a race, this feeling of being pushed to the limit, suffering and then having to push through it, will appear over again, and it’s helpful that this sensation is practiced on a regular basis during training.

Being an elite cyclist does require a higher level of dedication and commitment to training, nutrition and sleep, especially due to the nature of being more time consuming than other sports. However, when the rewards are reaped, the hurt, the sacrifices and time spent during training, seem to disappear in an instant.

Being an elite female in a male dominated sport, especially in the Middle East, can have its challenges but certainly also rewards; as there are not always enough elite female riders, we race with the elite men.

We have our own classification, but the nature of the male racing field is faster and more aggressive. It does require a higher level of confidence on the bike, the ability to position oneself correctly to save energy, as well as building a level of strength and ability to ride at higher speeds matching that of the men. This can be rather intimidating for female riders and it is certainly not for everyone. However, the male riders are very welcoming and allow us to work on these skills with them during their weekly training.

This kind of training forces the female rider to step outside her comfort zone and fight

harder to match the level of the male riders.

It’s a great mental reward when this is being achieved and even more so when the female rider is being seen as a valuable player in the male field.

In order to get more of our own women’s only races in the UAE, we simply need more women to sign up as “elite”. And if we can have our own races, the nature of those will be less fast, less aggressive and less risky, less intimidating and will allow all individuals to improve their skills and abilities in a safer environment. This will be much more inviting for female riders and can potentially help develop promising athletes and contribute to growing competitive cycling for women in the region.

In the scope for the coming season, together with BeSport, who have bike shops in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, we are working on an exciting project to build a female only elite team. The idea is to bring some promising, new, locally-based girls into the elite group. With the support of each other as well as local bike shops, we aim to increase the number of riders and bring more visibility and awareness to women’s elite cycling, as well as supporting each individual in their growth as an athlete. Hopefully with the support also from other bike shops and the UAE Cycling Federation we can work together to grow and create opportunities for competitive female athletes.

We have already seen women’s only challenges in the likes of the Liwa Cycling Challenge and the very popular NAS Sports Tournament supported by Sheikh Hamdan, Crown Prince of Dubai, with around 20-25

SEPTEMBER 2015 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

elite females taking part. In addition, we have also recently had Arab female visitors from Iran and Kuwait competing in the elite category and both placing in the top 5. This is a fantastic step towards building competitive female cycling in the Middle East. However, there are many more cycling events and challenges during the season where the fate of the existence of a women’s only category boils down to the numbers registered. Too few and we are thrown into the mix of the elite men which completely changes the nature of the race, the skill set and the strength required for racing. Also, the women’s visibility fades and becomes less important to organisers and potential sponsors.

Some aspirations for female competitive cycling in the UAE would be to secure a women’s only category at all events organised throughout the season, which is highly achievable through attendance. A local women’s only race series for all females to learn and practice racing tactics and skills would help all female cyclists to prepare for the actual events too. And who knows what this can lead to? The UAE’s first professional female team perhaps? Or following in the footsteps of Qatar and hosting a women’s professional tour of Dubai? The opportunities are open to the UAE. In the meantime, where the ground work is done, we continue to invite women into cycling for whatever purpose the individual desires. From here talent can be developed with the support of each other. Being an elite cyclist myself and being part of forming the women’s elite, we simply have to start somewhere, even if small. Therefore I do encourage female riders to come forward for the events, participate in a safer environment and help each other build the stronger side of female cycling and ensure our presence and worth as athletes.

Helle Bachofen von Echt is a Dubai-based sponsored Elite Road Cyclist competing in both local and international events. When she is not training, she is helping others achieve their health and fitness goals by running her own personal training services as well as giving indoor cycling classes.

Helle loves travelling with her bike and you can follow her adventures and racing on Instagram @thegirlwhocyclesinthedesert.

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OUR EXPERTS

Desert Marathon, Ultra Marathon and Explorations: After my first 42 kilometres in the desert (a dream come true, but only after facing a big challenge) I realised the importance of the correct equipment and clothing. to prevent the sun from burning my arms and Words By: Nico de Corato Photos By: Nico de Corato and Max Calderan legs. I ran on. After a few kilometres, I reached the first checkpoint. Whilst running I wasn’t aware of how many kilometres I had already After completing my first run and how many I still had to face. Max gave marathon, one of my goals was a me a few tips. The first was with regard to marathon in the desert: running better clothing and the second was not to fear going a bit slower. This was not a competition; the same 42km but in an extreme I was alone. environment with prohibitive condiWalk uphill, run downhill and on the plains, tions. A goal I ultimately achieved in the beginning at least.

More kilometres made of uphills and with the support of my coach, Max downhills and another checkpoint passed by.

Calderan.

Max advised that I sit in the car with the A/C on for a few minutes to lower my temperature We were in Liwa. I was ready. The temperaand gave me another tip: cover your head ture was 46 degrees Celsius and it was 4pm. and keep it wet, it helps more than drinking. I I was ready to start a desert solo marathon. realised that I didn’t bring enough water so I By 4:15 pm, Max had already left to wait for began increasing my walking streaks to save me at the scheduled checkpoints. I started both water and energy. I was looking forward as quick as a gazelle with adrenaline rushing to the sun being less powerful later in the day, through my veins, but it took less than one so as to get rid of my suit. By the third checkkilometre for me to understand that the way point, I was able to discard my suit, which I was clothed was completely inadequate. made me feel much better.

Hypertechnical gear was completely wrong After a few more kilometres, it was dark and for the conditions. Beyond the colour (black), the water was almost finished. Max gave me the stretch fabric worn on top of the triathlon an additional 1.5 litres but I needed to mansuit trapped the heat and the gel band comage it. I was incredibly thirsty, and promised pressed the pelvis and caused discomfort and myself that I would never waste water again in difficulty when getting water. my life. I grabbed a flashlight just in case, but I I had no alternative however, as I needed could see the path anyway, and Max suggested continuing without it to embrace the desert night. I followed this advice. As it was night and I needed to drink less water, I used some of it on my head and noticed an increase in my energy levels. Having water bottles behind my back prevented me from lowering the top part of my triathlon suit. I took a mental note of that as running bare-chested would have been easier.

I alternated between running and fast walking. At one of the checkpoints, I left everything in the car and kept only the flashlight and a bottle of water to carry in my hand.

Bare-chested, I began running again at a good speed with enthusiasm and more energy. Heat was no longer a problem. I left the water in the car too and decided I would only drink at checkpoints so that I wouldn’t be tempted to drink and consume the last litre. For safety reasons, we reduced the distance between checkpoints, and I kept the flashlight to signal.

My legs began aching, but I was not cramp-

ing. I managed the difficulty and ate some apricots.

In the meantime my thoughts vanished. The only concern I had was surviving! I tried to pretend the support car wasn’t even there. I didn’t bring enough water; I needed to manage.

Another checkpoint and we were now in the Qasr al Sarab Resort, and I received good news: there was only 10km to go. To save water, I ran less. I only had a little more than half litre left, but I was almost there. It was so dark that I couldn’t see the road, so I switched from the handheld flashlight to the front one which was more comfortable to use and left my hands free.

My thoughts included what to wear next time and what to eat, but the number one thought was always water.

The last checkpoints seemed to be further and further apart. I asked Max so many times if I had really run only 2km. I needed to rest. I lay down on the fresh sand and I looked up at the stars, seeing a falling star as soon as I lifted my eyes. After five minutes I was back on my feet. I saw a tower further down the road, and I wondered if that was the entrance to the resort. Maybe, I thought, I will meet a guardian who will be able to give me some water. Some cars were passing by, but were not stopping, so I couldn’t ask them.

Another checkpoint and I heard the magic words: “last kilometre”. I asked for confirmation of how much water I had left - less than a third of the small bottle and the same quantity in the larger one. I drank almost the entire small bottle, took the last gel, ate some apricots and started running.

I made it to the tower, and there I found only Max (it was not the resort entrance). “It’s

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

over,” he said, “You ran 42km.”

I celebrated by drinking almost all the water I had left. I was tired but not exhausted as I looked at the clock; only 8 hours had gone by. I was devastated by hunger, thirst and fatigue but fascinated by the challenge, the darkness and the desert. After a few hours of sleep on the sand, I was challenged in the morning with the climb of a ‘small’ sand dune. This 80 meters represented the final step prior to the return to civilization.

Two months later, whilst I was back for a 50km training run in the desert, thinking that what represented an impossible effort back then is now almost routine training. This time, the atmosphere and the conditions were slightly different. Max planned for me to train with Marcus Smith and some friends from the InnerFight gym. We were a group of about 10 people with one thing in common: the will to break through our own limits. We left at 5:30 am with a fresh (if not cold) temperature. The course we intended to run was the ring of Al Qudra. We could choose to either run on asphalt, on compacted dirt right by the main road, or further in.

I made it to the training with a totally different outlook than last time. I left behind my technical gear, gel, fitness bars, and told myself, “I learned a lesson, I am in the desert, not at Yas Marina Circuit.”

I left with a pair of shorts, a t-shirt that I soon took off and a shemagh. This is a survival “must have” in the desert. In the beginning I was wearing it in the Emirati style (rolled around the head). Two small water bottles were in my hands, and I didn’t even wear a watch. You don’t really need to know what time it is in the desert - what’s more important is to know how to manage the sun and sand.

On board the support car I put the rest of my water (this time I had it in abundance), some food (dates and dry meat) and some clothing items for the hottest part of the day. Everything was in a backpack as I was getting used to the idea that I should be able to put everything in a bag and be self-sufficient for food and water.

We began running as a group. Max (in the car) occasionally came closer to give me tips or exercises to do. The friend running alongside me insisted that I took gels, solutions or more, and I kindly declined.

There is something wrong in this training.

I began feeling the fatigue, and after a while I let everybody else come by. I looked around. That was it! I knew what was wrong… it was not ‘desert’ enough! The asphalt, the cyclists passing by, the group running together. I missed the desert, the real one. I began running again, our coach smiling as I shared with him my thoughts.

After 25 of the 50km we were supposed to run, I decided to stop and rest, lying on the ground. I didn’t need to sleep, but I was getting used to the idea of micro-cycles of rest needed for longer runs (i.e. the real challenge I will face in September/ October). As I discovered, the shemagh can also be useful to avoid laying directly on the sand.

Soon I realised that the sun was high in the sky, and it was time to change into long pants and a long-sleeved shirt (both a size larger to feel more

comfortable and trap enough air to isolate my body). The sleeves of the shirt were long enough to also cover my hands, but I had it in my mind that for a proper exploration I would need to bring gloves and sunglasses to leave no part of my body uncovered. I wore the shemagh so that it fully protected my head, neck and face from the sun and my nose and mouth from the sand. I also put some water on it, both to lower my temperature and to avoid dust in my airways (wet tissue acts as a water filter). I placed some dates and dry meat in my pockets and left the water in the car, leaving myself with only two small bottles of water in my hands. More and more I strived for self-sufficiency.

At the 40th kilometre, I was no longer running.

Max advised that I stop. After all, it is not a race but training, and hurting myself made no sense. I had passed the limit of muscle training and it was better to stop and bring home another 40km in the desert.

I do, however, have a bitter taste in my mouth. I burned energy by keeping in front of the group for the first few kilometres, and Max highlighted that if I had let everyone go and walked the first 10km, not only would I have completed the 50km, but I would have probably made it quicker than everyone else.

My strategy to run as many kilometres as possible in the dark was not the right one, and I brought home some positive consideration.

The maximum temperature during the run was 52 degrees. We ran two to three hours in the dark and continued (already fatigued) with the sun high in the sky. Last time, only the first two hours were in the sunlight. I completed 40km in six hours (rather than the eight before), in higher temperatures, drinking much less. I used most of the water to wet my head and disperse the heat, but I didn’t have the thirsty feeling that accompanied me throughout my first desert run even in warmer temperatures. I ate very little, the minimum required for energy. Clothing more suited to a desert environment prevented me from getting as dehydrated.

I completed the training with no particular problems - no heat stroke, burns or any other issues. The last time, I had to stop on several occasions just to feel better, and those who did make it to the 50km mark were sunburnt due to the technical gear that left their skin uncovered.

See you in the sand of the Rub’ al Khali Max! Blogger, marathon runner, triathlete, divemaster and heli rescue swimmer with Bergamo Scuba Angels. You can check my website www.dubaiblognetwork.com, contact me on social networks or via email at admin@dubaiblognetwork.com for information about this article or just to say hello.

PEOPLE

Mohamed Hesham Kamel Age: 26 Nationality: Egyptian Occupation: AgainstGraviTi Cofounder

If you’ve ever watched District 13 then you have probably heard and even seen parkour in action. Pioneered by Frenchman David Belle, the physical discipline has gained surging popularity ever since its inception in the late 1980’s. Did you know that you could perform those insane parkour tricks here in Dubai as well? We sit down with local traceur Mohamed Hesham Kamel as he talks about how to make the city your playground.

How did you first get into parkour?

I got into parkour with my friends in Egypt nine years ago when they represented the sport in France – the origin of the sport.

Are there any other sports that you are involved with?

I’m actually heavily focused in parkour but recently my training has also involved calisthenics, flow and tricking.

What should our readers know about parkour?

Parkour is a freestyle sport. It’s not as risky or as dangerous as most people think, and is mainly about pushing your limits to achieve skills or techniques to overcome obstacles.

We are a community that is motivated by creativity and our passion for parkour. Parkour challenges one’s creativity in staying on the move.

Parkour is a freestyle sport. It’s not as risky or as dangerous as most people think, and is mainly about pushing your limits to achieve skills or techniques to overcome obstacles.

Are there any specific skills that need to be learned before doing parkour?

There are no skills that I would consider learning prior to going for parkour, but building strength and understanding the basic tenets of parkour is necessary for progression.

What would you say are the challenges that parkour faces in the UAE?

As with the majority of outdoor activities, the summer heat is one big impediment.

Another challenge would be gaining permissions since parkour is mostly held in the city.

What training regimens do you do to prepare?

I prefer flow warm-up which is something I also teach – it’s a bit lengthy to explain, but to know more about it you can visit my Instagram page at @heshamiv.

What do you love most about your sport?

The freedom of movement that parkour allows! I could go anywhere I want, whenever I want and it all boils down to my decisions

on how to reach my destination. Other than that, parkour also hones my creativity especially when I’m tackling challenging paths.

How could our readers get to know more about parkour?

You can definitely check out our group called AgainstGraviTi. We have training sessions going on and we have obstacles designed for beginners and experts who want to learn or develop their parkour skills.

You can check out our group at www.againstgraviti.com

Lastly, do you think the city of Dubai is the perfect playground for parkour?

It is! The public playgrounds and parks are perfect to kickstart your parkouring if you are a beginner, and it is the best spot to hone some advanced skills to some extent.

The winter is the best time for outdoor training since this is the time when the entire city becomes an absolute playground.

PEOPLE

Lina Zoghaib Age: 33 Nationality: Lebanese-Canadian Occupation: Hatha Yoga Teacher

There are times in a person’s life wherein something occurs to them that ultimately leads them to life in the great outdoors. It can be any sort of event, but it just so happens that for yogi Lina Zoghaib, this had to come in the form of a heartbreak. Eventually, this event introduced her to the beautiful and meditative world of the outdoors — to the world of Yoga.

How did you first get into yoga?

A heartbreak led me to this beautiful journey in my life. I started yoga in the gym back in 2009, and did it three times a week. I felt amazed by the physical challenges and the spiritual connection it gives. Afterwards, I decided to learn more about yoga and its benefits and I have now travelled all over the world, learning from different teachers and joining yoga retreats.

Are there any other sports that you are involved with?

Outdoor activities such as hiking, paddleboarding and swimming

What do you think are the benefits of practicing yoga?

Yoga has tremendous effects on the body and mind. Regularly practicing yoga helps to: Strengthen the Body - It improves muscle tone; helps build strong abs, back muscles and quadriceps. All of the poses build core strength in the deep abdominal muscles.

Build better posture - Since Yoga strengthens the core muscles, we are more likely to sit tall and straight, which allows the spine to absorb more oxygen.

Improve heart health - Lower blood pressure and a slower heart rate both help to improve the efficiency of the cardiovascular system.

Breathing better - Yoga creates more aware-

ness of each breath, increasing the lungs’ capacity for O2 which also helps calm the nervous system.

Calm and relax the mind - through various meditation techniques, we can increase the level of focus and concentration.

What do you love most about Yoga?

I feel fulfilled mentally, physically and spiritually after my practise; I also love the fact that I can travel anywhere in the world and find shalas to practise. I enjoy immersing myself in community events and festivals where I can practise and meet likeminded people.

Through my community yoga, I am helping build a school for orphans in Kenya (Africa Kids on Facebook), and this brings me so much joy and fulfilment.

When was the most memorable moment for you in your history of being a yogi?

It was during my teaching course in India, when I was able to finally focus during meditation. I was never able to calm my brain, and through daily practise and the help of many teachers, I started to experience the beauty of being still and calm. I finally understood the concept that happiness comes from within… no matter where you go or what you do, if you are happy with yourself, you

can reflect this happiness on to others, and spread the love.

How has yoga impacted your life?

The major impact is the connection I have with my higher power.

What comes next for you? Where could we see you in action?

I have embarked on a lifetime journey and every day is a learning curve for me. There will be more workshops with international teachers, and I will be visiting India for my regular practise with my teacher Anup Gupta.

Since I teach community sessions outdoors, I am working on an outdoor project which I am hoping I can share with you by the end of September. Check out my Facebook page: InstaYoga for the latest updates.

By end of September I will restart my community Yoga on the beach near the Burj Al Arab three times a week - all updates will be shared on Facebook and I keep my group updated on Whatsapp at 056-4159025 for anyone who would like to join.

Lastly, being a yogi, what do you always tell your students?

Take time to be silent, to reflect back on yourself, allow yourself to slow down and enjoy the beauty of now. I always share inspirational quotes and prayers ”The strongest trees in the forest grow the slowest”, “Dear God, grant us the serenity of mind to accept what can be changed, to have the courage to accept which cannot be changed, and to have the wisdom to know the one from the other”.

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LOCATIONS

Words By: Eranga Yasas

Off-roading has become a very popular hobby amongst expats during the past few years in the United Arab Emirates.

There is a long list of off-road clubs that can be approached if someone wants to drive their own 4X4 in a morning or evening trip to the desert. If not there are more organised tour companies providing dune bashing trips with food and entertainment in a desert camp after a sunset photo shoot.

On the other hand, overlanding is something not heard of so much in the region.

It involves more preparation than a regular weekend drive. Some may even be shocked to hear that people actually overland for years around the world.

The seed of overlanding was planted early this year when I asked our group “if anyone is game for a four day camping trip”. My ‘partner in crime’ Bazil was with me on the idea immediately and Mitch, who has covered most of Oman during his early tour and travel career, was in too. The night went on and the next day I set up a WhatsApp group adding three of us.

We started meeting after work a few times to plan the route. We made a checklist with all the items we had and what we should carry with us, including recovery gear, first aid, food, tools and water. The idea was to carry the minimum but not to run out during the trip. Our next member Channa is also an outdoor and adventure freak, who has done some serious climbing and many other activities around globe. Yet this was his first time experiencing overlanding. So we were all set! Let’s go and see Oman... from a different angle.

Episode 1 Day 1 - 14th April

I really don’t know if I should consider this as day one of the trip. The events unfolding definitely need to be remarked upon.

Although we thought that we would start the journey at 23:00 hours from the ADNOC petrol pump on Maliha road after passing the E611, we were all delayed with last minute preparations. We managed to hit the road by 23:45. Driving on winding roads from Maliha to Hatta in horror movie-type darkness was good for a starter. We made a few stops on our way to the Hatta border looking for ice, finding it surprising that none of the gas stations in the UAE had ice.

We were without ice in our ice box and one point was noted: a fridge is a must have . We reached Hatta UAE border close to 1:30am and the new set up at the border was very convenient. We got through the gate in a jiffy with our exit stamps and then we encountered the highlight of the day.

All three of us were asked to move the vehicles to the inspection area as the officials wanted to check the vehicles inch by inch. At two in the morning, it was tough to repack all that we had packed so carefully and systematically. Bazil had a roof rack full of jerry cans, a toolbox and one military looking storage box. Luckily, customs officers were convinced that we were just a bunch of crazy people living in vehicles to save money. We headed out of the customs post at 3:30 am. By this time our energy levels had been drained and we were ready to put up the tents at any moment. Change of plans — we decided not to drive to the

Shinas lagoon and instead drove directly to Sohar Beach under the new road construction to find a camping spot. We settled for the first clean, flat spot on the beach.

Day 2 - 15th April 2015

Officially, I would consider this as the first day of our trip. Three hours of sleeping was interrupted by a noise that you don’t hear that much in Middle Eastern living. We were woken up not by loud waves nor an angry villager, but by hundreds of angry crows!

The whole bunch of them decided we had had enough sleep at 7:00 am. We did not regret that we were forced to open our eyes so early as the scenery was mind-blowing.

Golden waters and the morning sun reflecting on the sea was well captured by our lenses. The first visitor after the crows was a villager from the nearby fishing village.

As he was kind of surprised to see a bunch of guys making tea so early on the beach, he explained to us how the fishing season had been and the welfare of the village. It was so kind of him to invite us to his house for breakfast; we kindly turned him down explaining that we had to cover more than 600km and had a five-star lunch to attend to.

A quick kitty wash and warm coffee, and we were all packed up ready to hit the road after filming the area with a drone. I guess the crows got their fair share once Channa started the drone. A Pakistani special meat preparation for others and dhal curry for me ( I knew this was coming my way as I was the only vegetarian), with freshly baked bread from a local Pakistani food joint in Sohar was a great way to keep the belly full for the long drive. Eating out was suggested whenever possible to minimize what we carried and also to save time for the drive. I guess it was a good idea too. We found ourselves on the highway to Muscat with nothing much to talk about other than that there was no ice in any of the supermarkets or petrol stations between Sohar and Muscat City Centre too. We somehow managed to buy a few things from City Centre. There were so many new developments since my last visit to Muscat six years ago. The roads were crowded, with constructions and diversions showing that Muscat is in a development phase now. We managed our way through the city to Al Bustan Palace Hotel just in time for the lunch. Special thanks to all the staff at Al Bustan Palace for hosting us. We also met an off-road enthusiast, Mohammed Al Hadi, from one of the Oman-based off-road groups and he was fascinated with our route. He also suggested a few places for our plan B if we ran late en route to our planned destination. Believe me, the info came pretty handy.

We hit the road after a super meal, though we didn’t need much of a dinner after all of that food from the buffet lunch spread.

We turned towards New Yeti road so that

we could witness the seawater between the rocks and bay-like formations that hid rich sea life, also undoubtedly providing great harvest for the fishermen from the area. We were in search of a shorter route towards Sur though the mountains or beach. We passed by the small village of Saifah, looking for the gateway towards Qurayyat which was on the other side of the mountains. Either we ended up at a fence on the beach or at a dead end on the gravel tracks. We soon decided to backtrack to Muscat and take Highway 17. Road diversions took more time than we expected as our return from Saifah was full of photo stops.

We managed to reach Qurayyat Beach at

around 8:00 p.m and we were lucky enough to notice the narrow road alongside the beach. The beach was full of mini rock cliffs.

It looked impossible to set up camp. We tried a few sandy patches and finally found a nice spot about 12km away from the famous sinkhole. Hot bean curry was served along with some Arabic bread that we had bought from a local shop. A small bonfire to compliment the fine sheesha, food and our newfound spirit to go with lovely tunes played by Bazil created a perfect camp, like in the movies. Faces were lit up with the fire and the sea breeze and water brought harmony to the tune from Bazil’s acoustic guitar.

We hit our tents an hour past midnight after the longest day of the trip covering nearly 700kms...(To be continued)

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TIPS & TRICKS

Sharing is Caring New Routes Feature on OutdoorUAE.com Words By: Daniel Birkhofer

Since the first day of OutdoorUAE, providing information to enjoy the outdoors in the United Arab Emirates is the main purpose. And what information could be more important than the “where”. So over the past years we researched, observed and finally developed a new feature on our website which makes finding places and routes for outdoor activities easier and more fun than ever.

To make sure we have the best and latest routes we ask the best experts to help us – you, our readers.

It is fast and easy to share your routes and places with the community! All you need is a .GPX file, a few photos and a description which can be a few words up to a detailed instruction. To upload a route, just visit our website and fill in the upload form and load the files which takes only a few minutes. All the rest will be done by us and within a day, your route - with Google Maps and download link is online.

We hope that everyone will use this great feature to share their own routes and try new ones. Since this is a new feature we are happy about any feedback to give you the easiest and most convenient tool so that everyone can enjoy the outdoors.

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Triathlon Exercises Words By: Nicky Holland Photos By: Jung Francisco

Ever wanted to do a Triathlon?

To complete a triathlon shows great physical and mental strength, a high level of fitness and a good amount of muscular endurance.

When training for an event like a triathlon, a lot of the hard work and conditioning is done during training prior to the event. This is to ensure that you are in the best shape and optimal fitness by the time you take part.

Obviously, to improve your swimming you will need to train in water, to improve your cycling you will need to practice on a bike and for running - you guessed it - you need to run. However, this article will give you exercises and techniques that will help facilitate your overall fitness, strength and endurance when in the gym...making you a better athlete and ready for a triathlon.

the sea against the tide. First, get yourself into the plank position where your elbows are under your shoulders and your knees are lifted so that you are balancing on your toes.

From there, stage 1 is to tap the left leg to the side then back in and then tap the right leg to the side and back in. Stage 2 is to tap the hands. The main focus should be to keep your hips square to the floor and to avoid rotating. Draw your belly in and brace your abdominals to keep as still as possible as you tap your feet or hands from side to side in slow, controlled movements. Aim for three sets of 10-20 taps.

Box Jumps – This exercise is a form of plyometrics. Here you need to set up a box or a stepper which is raised from the floor. For this exercise you need to use your leg muscles to jump onto the box or stepper and control your landing so that you land with both feet. Repeat this movement on and off the box or the stepper aiming to perform three sets of 20 repetitions with rest periods in between.

3. Running

The last part of a triathlon is the run. You need to be mentally strong and have good core strength to drive you to the finish line.

2. Cycling

The main power of a cyclist comes from their legs as they have incredible leg strength.

The quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes and calves are the main muscles used when riding a bike.

1. Swimming

Technique and breathing is really important for swimming. In order to improve your breathing, you need to develop your cardiovascular system.

Core, Arm and Leg Extension – Having a strong core will help keep your body in alignment and your posture straight. If you can do this in the water when swimming, you will exert less energy which will benefit your breathing and technique, especially in

Standing Opposite Knee to Elbow press – Here you need to stand upright. Extend your left arm in the air (you can use a weight for resistance) and balance on your left leg.

Extend your right leg out to the side. Using your core strength, bring your left hand to meet your right knee. By bringing the opposite arm to the leg you should feel your core muscles working along with your balance.

The weight will work the arm muscles as you extend to the ceiling, and by flexing the leg and pointing the toes you will work the leg muscles. Aim to perform three sets of 10-15 reps on each side.

For best results, you should follow this workout at least three times a week. Remember, the key part to completing a triathlon is putting the time and effort into your training.

Therefore when you do it, it seems just like another day of training!

Nicky Holland Fitness Manager Fitness First, Beach Park Plaza 68

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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 Go Sport, The Dubai Mall: +971 43253595; Abu Dhabi Mall: +971 26454595; Bawabat Al Sharq Mall, Abu Dhabi: +971 25868240 InterSport, Dubai Times Square Centre: +971 43418214 and Dubai Festival City: +971 42066581, www.intersport.ae 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 43504444, www.sunandsandsports.com

Adventure tours and desert safaris

Alpha Tours, Off #512, 5th Flr., Al Qwais Bldg., Al Ittihad Road, Deira, Dubai, +971 42949888, 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 4 4569944 or 50 7035111 www.desertrangers.com Desert Road Tourism, Office 503, 5th Flr., Al Khor Plaza, Dubai, +971 42959429, www.arabiantours.com Dreamdays, First Floor Rm. 107 Ibn Battuta Gate (Offices) Sheikh Zayed Rd., +971 4 4329392 or 4 4329393, www.dreamdays.ae Dream Explorer LLC, Shop no # 9, Plot # 312-504, Al Musalla Building , Mina Bazar, Bur Dubai, +971 43544481, www.dreamexplorerdubai.com Dubai Relax Travel, National Towers: Churchill Tower Suite #614, Business Bay, Dubai, +971 44221776, www.dubairelaxtours.com Element Fitness, Dubai, +971 44227352, www.element-fitness.net Explorer Tours, Umm Ramool, Dubai, +971 42861991, www.explorertours.ae Gulf for Good, Dubai, +971 43680222, www.gulf4good.org Gulf Ventures, Dnata Travel Centre +971 44045880, www.gulfventures.com MMI Travel LLC, Mezzanine Floor, Dnata Travel Centre, Shk Zayed Road, Dubai, +971 4 4045999, www.theemiratesgroup.com Net Group, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, +971 26794656, www.netgroupauh.com Oasis Palm Dubai, Dubai, +971 42628889, www.opdubai.com Rahhalah, Dubai, +971 44472166, www.rahhalah.com Wild Guanabana, Dubai, +971 44422946, www.wildguanabana.com Clubs Abu Dhabi Fishing, Camping, Kayaking, & Adventure Club, +971504920860, mohammed.almahrouky@gmail.com

Air

Ballooning Adventures Emirates, Dubai, +971 42854949, www.ballooning.ae Dubai Paragliders, www.microaviation.org, +971 552120155 or +971 552250193 Jazirah Aviation Club, Ras Al Khaimah, +971 72446416 or +971 555531318, www.jac-uae.net Seawings, Dubai, www.seawings.ae Sky Dive Dubai, Dubai, +971 501533222, www.skydivedubai.ae

Boating & Sailing

Manufacturer Al Fajer Marine, Dubai, Al Quoz, +971 43235181, www.alfajermarine.com Al Jeer Marina, RAK border Musandam, +971 72682333/+971 504873185, www.aljeerport.ae Al Shaali Marine, Ajman, +971 67436443, www.alshaalimarine.com Alyousuf Industrial, LLC, +971 43474111, www.aym.ae, yamboats@alyousuf.com Elite Pearl Charter, Saeed Tower 1 office # 3102, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE,

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+971 43889666, www.elitepearlcharter.com Gulf Craft, 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 / www.artmarinechandley.com Azure Marine Dubai, +971 4 3706886, www.azuremarine.net Luxury Sea Boats, Dubai, +971 4 3284629, www.luxuryseaboats.com Macky Marine LLC, Dubai, +971 505518317, www.mackymarine.com Nautilus Yachts, Sharjah, +971 553419494 or 50 3419494, www.nautilusyachts.com The Boat House, Dubai, Al Quoz, +971 43405152, www.theboathouse.ae UAE Boats 4 Sale, Dubai Marina, +971 44471501, www.uaeboats4sale.com Western Marine, Marina Yacht Club, Dubai, +971 43039744 Equipment Ali Khalifah Moh Al Fuqaei, Deira, 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 / +971 553899995, info@bluewatersmarine.com, www.bluewatersmarine.com Extreme Marine, Dubai, +971 43992995, www.extrememarine-me.com Japan Marine / D1 Marine, WS # 110, Dubai Maritime City, +971 4 4426395 or 55 1666035, uday@japanmarine.jp, www.japanmarine.co Rineh Emirates Trading LLC, Dubai, Al Quoz, +971 43391512, www.rinehemiratesme.com Repairs and Maintenance Extreme Marine, Dubai, Dubai Marina, +971 43992995, www.extrememarine-me.com Rineh Emirates, Sheikha Sana Warehouse 1, Al Quoz, +971 43391512, info@rinehemiratesme.com, www.rinehemirates.com SNS Marine, JAFZA Techno Park, Jebel Ali, Dubai, +971 501405058, info@snsmarine.ae, www.snsmarine.ae The Boat House, Dubai, Al Quoz, +971 43405152, www.theboathouse.ae Cruise Operators Al Bateen Marina, Abu Dhabi, +971 26665491, www.marinaalbateenresort.com Al Marsa Travel & Tourism, Dibba, Musandam, +968 26836550, +971 65441232 Bateaux Dubai, Dubai Creek opposite the British Embassy, +971 43994994 Bristol Middle East, Dubai Marina, +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 504586171, www.edenyachting.com Emirates Yachting, Dubai, +971 42826683 El Mundo, Dubai, +971 505517406, www.elmundodubai.com Four Star Travel and Tourism, Dubai, +971 42737779, www.fourstartravels.net 4 Yacht Arabia, Shop No. 5, Dubai Marina Yacht Club, 800 92248, www.4yachtarabia.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 558961276, +971 503960202, www.happydaysdubai.com JPS Yachts and Charter, Room 225, Emarat Atrium building, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, +971 43437734, www.jpsyachts.com Khasab Divers, Oman, +971 567255889, khasab.diver2@gmail.com Khasab Musandam Travel & Tours, PO Box 411, Khasab, Musandam, +968 93350703, info@tourkhasab.com Khour Shem Tourism, Oman, +968 26731919, www.khourshemtours.com LY Catamaran, Dubai, +971 505869746, +971 566506683, www.lycatamaran.com Marine Concept, Dubai, +971 559603030,

Pavilion Marina, Dubai, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, +971 44068800 The Pearl–Qatar Marinas, Doha, Qatar, +974 4965801, www.ronauticame.com 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 (Michael), www.dubaidawnpatrol.org Dubai Diggers, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, pier next to 360, Dubai, +971 501547175 (Nick Hando), www.dubai-diggers.com UAE Dragon Boat Association, +971 507634008, www.dubaidragonboat.com

Camping & Hiking

www.marine-charter-concept.com Nautica1992, Dubai, +971 504262415, www.nautica1992.ae Noukhada Adventure Company, Villa 332/7, Al Meena Street, Abu Dhabi, +971 26503600, www.noukhada.ae RAK Marine LLC, Ras Al Khaimah City Hilton Marina, +971 504912696, +971 72066410 Sea Hunters Passenger Yachts & Boats Rental, Dubai Marina, +971 42951011 Sheesa Beach, Dibba, Musandam, +971 503336046, www.sheesabeach.com Smoke Dragon Of London Yacht, Abu Dhabi International Marine & Sports Club, +971 507011958 / +971 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, +8008044, 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 Mouj Marina, Muscat, Oman, +968 24534554, www.almoujmarina.com Al Wasl Charter & Fishing, Airport Road, Al Qwais Bldg., Off. 207, Dubai, UAE, +971 42394760-61, 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 43388955 Four Seasons Marina, Doha, Qatar, +974 44948899, www.mourjanmarinas.com 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 48145555/5029, www.jebelali-international.com Lusail Marina, Lusail City, Qatar, +974 55843282, www.mourjan-lusailmarina.com Marina Bandar Al Rowdha, Muscat, Oman, +968 24737286 (ext 215), www.marinaoman.net

Equipment Blingmytruck.com, +971 505548255, www.blingmytruck.com Gulf Camping, Dubai, UAE, www.gulfcamping.com Jack Wolfskin, Mirdif City Centre Dubai, +971 42840228; Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi, +971 24437802 Picnico General Trading, near Sharaf DG Metro Station, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, +971 43951113 Tresspass, 2nd floor above ice rink, The Dubai Mall, +971 43398801 Tour Operators Arabia Outdoors, Dubai, +971 559556209, www.arabiaoutdoors.com Absolute Adventure, Dubai, +971 43459900, www.adventure.ae Desert Road Tourism, Al Khor Plaza – 503, Dubai, +971 42959428, www.arabiatours.com Libra, +971 559228362, www.libra-uae.com Mountain High Middle East, Dubai, +971 43480214, www.mountainhighme.com Sheesa Beach, Musandam, Dibba, +971 50336046, www.sheesabeach.com

Caving

Mountain High Middle East, Dubai, +971 43480214, www.mountainhighme.com Muscat Diving & Adventure Centre, Oman, +968 24543002, www.holiday-in-oman.com Oman World Tourism, Oman, +968 99431333, www.omanworldtourism.com

Climbing

Equipment Adventure HQ, Dubai Times Square Center, Sheikh Zayed Rd, toll free: 800-ADVENTURE, www.adventurehq.ae Barracuda Fishing and Outdoor, Dubai, Street 13A 1, Al Safa 1, +971 43466558, www.barracudadubai.com Global Climbing Trading LLC, Dubai Investment Park 1, Dubai, +971 48829361, www.globalclimbing.com

MIDDLE EAST’S OUTDOOR, ADVENTURE, TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE Clubs Abu Dhabi Tri Club, www.abudhabitriclub.com Cycle Safe Dubai, Dubai Autodrome www.cyclechallenge.ae Dubai Roadsters, www.dubairoadsters.com

Diving

Jack Wolfskin Mirdif City Centre Dubai, +971 42840228; Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi +971 24437802 Services Absolute Adventure, Dubai, +971 43459900, www.adventure.ae Adventure HQ, Dubai Times Square Center, Sheikh Zayed Rd, toll free: 800-ADVENTURE, www.adventurehq.ae Al Shaheen Adventure, Abu Dhabi, +971 26429995, 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 42824540, 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, products@allbikers.net Cycle Sports, Shop No. 1, Al Waleed Bldg., Al Barsha 1, Dubai, +971 43415415, www.cyclesportsuae.com Fun Ride Sports, 301, 3rd floor, Mushrif Mall, Abu Dhabi, Rm. 4, Mezzanine floor, C-13 Bldg., Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi, info@funridesports.com, www.funridesports.com Micah’s Bike Shop, Warehouse no.4 6th St. Al Quoz 3, Dubai, +971 43805228 Peak Performance, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Mall, Dubai, +971 43413056 / +971 43308023 Probike, Dubai, Al Barsha 1, +971 43255705, www.probike.ae Rage Shop, Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Festival City, +971 43369007, www.rage-shop.com Revolution Cycles, Shop G05, Apex Atrium, Motor City, Dubai, +971 43697441, www.rcdxb.com Ride Bike Shop, Dubai Mall, Festival City, Oasis Centre, Mirdif City Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, +971 43750231, www.ridebikeshop.com Sportz Unlimited, Sheikh Zayed Road & Jebel Ali, Dubai, + 971 43388644 Tamreen Sports LLC, Khalifa Street, Abu Dhabi, +971 26222525, www.tamreensports.com The Cycle Hub, Motor City, Dubai, +971 505528872, www.thecyclehub.com Trek Bicycle Store, Seih Al Salam, Al Qudra Road, Dubai, +971 48327377, www.trekbikes.ae Trikke uPT, Dubai, +971 45081202, +971 556096757, www.trikkeme.net Wolfi’s Bike Shop, Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, +971 43394453, www.wbs.ae Operator Absolute Adventure, Dubai, +971 43459900, +971 506259165, www.adventure.ae, info@adventure.ae

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, +971 43468000, Dubai www.masaoodmarine.com Al Yousuf Motors, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, +971 43390621, www.aym.ae/yamaha Blue Waters Marine, +971 42232189, Dubai, www.bluewatersmarine.com Gulf Marine Sports, Abu Dhabi, +971 26710017, www.gulfmarinesports.com Premiers for Equipment, Abu Dhabi, Sh. Zayed 1st. Road, +971 26665226, www.premiers-uae.com Scuba Dubai, Al Barsha, Al Khail Road, Dubai, +97143414940, info@scubadubai.com 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, +971 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 28015400, www.divemahara.com Divers Down, Fujairah, Rotana Al Aqah Hotel Resort & Spa, +971 92370299, www.diversdown-uae.com Emirates Divers Centre, Abu Dhabi, near Meena Fish Market, +97126432444, www.edc-ad.ae Euro-Divers Oman, Muscat, Oman, +968 95035815, www.euro-divers.com Extra Divers Ziggy Bay, Oman, Musandam, +968 26735555, www.extradivers.info Freediving UAE, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, contactus@freedivinguae.com, www.freedivinguae.com Freestyle Divers, Dubai, Al Wasl & Dibba, Royal Beach Hotel, +971 43944275, www.freestyledivers.com Fujairah Rotana Resort & Spa - Al Aqah Beach, Al Aqah Beach, Fujairah, +971 92449888, www.rotana.com Global Scuba Dive Center, Civil Aviation Club, Oman, +968 99317518, www.global-scuba.com Khasab Divers, Oman, www.khasabdiver.com Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, Dibba Road, Fujairah, +971 92449000, www.lemeridien-alaqah.com Moonlight Dive Center, Madinat Qaboos, Oman, +968 99317700, www.moonlightdive.com Muscat Diving & Adventure Centre, Oman, +971 503289642, www.holiday-in-oman.com Neptune Diving, +971 504347902, www.neptunedivingcentre.com Nomad Ocean Adventures, www.discovernomad.com, +971 508853238, Dibba, Oman Oman Dive Center, Muscat, Oman, +968 24284240, www.omadivecenter.com Pavilion Dive Centre (equipment), Dubai, +971 44068828 Scuba Oman, Oman, +968 99558488, www.scubaoman.com 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 50784 0830, www.bsac406.com Sheesa Beach, Dibba, Musandam,

SEPTEMBER 2015 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

+971 503336046, www.sheesabeach.com Sky &Sea Adventures, Dubai, Hilton, Jumeirah Beach Road, +971 43999005, www.watersportsdubai.com The Dive Shop, 34G, European Center, Green Community, Dubai, UAE, +971 48135474, www.thediveshopdubai.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.thefilipinoscubadivers.com Freediving UAE, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, contactus@freedivinguae.com, www.freedivinguae.com Sharjah Wanderers Dive Club, Sharjah, +971 507840830, www.bsac406.com

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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, Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, +971 43468000, www.masaoodmarine.com Al Yousuf Motors, Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Rd, +971 43390621, 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 / +971 553899995, www.bluewatersmarine.com Challenging Adventure, Wadi Al Bih Ras Al Khaimah, +971 561060798, 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 43459900, 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 72434540, 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, +974 4 2394760-61, www.cruiseindubai.com Al Shaheen Adventure, Abu Dhabi, +971 26429995, www.alshaheenme.com Al Wasl Charter & Fishing (Al Wasl

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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 9222558 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 53244550, www.funbeachsports.com Happy Days Sea Cruising LLC, Dubai, +971 558961276, +971 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 26503600, www.noukhada.ae Ocean Active, Dubai, Garden Centre, +971 502898713, www.oceanactive.com Sheesa Beach, Dibba, Musandam, +971 503336046, www.sheesabeach.com Soolyman Sports Fishing, Dubai, Umm Suqeim, +971 508866227, www.soolymansportsfishing.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, flipme@flipfloparabia.com, www.flipfloparabia.com Global Climbing Trading LLC, Dubai Investment Park 1, Dubai +971 48829361, www.globalclimbing.com Goal Zero, +971 509128353, www.goalzero.ae Highbury Trading, Dubai, UAE, www.highburytrading.ae Jack Wolfskin Mirdif City Centre Dubai, +971 42840228; Al Wahda Mall Abu Dhabi, +971 44437802 Ocean Sports FZE, +971 559352735, www.kitesurfsup.com PORTABLE SHADE UAE, Jebel Ali, Dubai, UAE, +971 4 3469600, www.portable-shade.net

OUTDOORUAE

71

MIDDLE EAST’S OUTDOOR, ADVENTURE, TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE Sakeen General Trading, +971 47094224, www.sakeen.ae Sport in Life Distribution, Nad Al Hammar Rd., Ras Al Khor, Dubai, UAE, +971 42896001, +971 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 & Requisites Trading, Al Khawaneej 1, Dubai, +971 554733110, www.asifa.ae Black Horse LLC, Abu Dhabi, +971 26422237, 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 / +971 501978888 Desert Palm Riding School, Near Al Awir Road (going to Hatta-Oman), Dubai, +971 43238010, www.desertpalm.peraquum.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, www.goldenstables.ae HoofbeatZ, located just inside the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, Dubai, +971 501810401, www.hoofbeatz.com Mushrif Equestrian and Polo Club, Mushrif Park, Al Khawaneej Road, Dubai, +971 42571256, www.mushrifec.com Qudraland Community, info@qudraland.com, www.qudraland.com Rahal Ranch, Al Wathba Racing Area, Abu Dhabi, +971 566127914,

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 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, Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Rd, +971 43390621, www.aym.ae/yamaha Japan Marine General Trading, Al Garhoud Road, Liberty Building, Dubai, +971 559299111 / +971 42828255, uday@japanmarine.jp, www.japanmarine.co Liberty Kawasaki, Dubai, Interchange 4, Sheikh Zayed Road, +971 43419341, www.libertykawasaki.com

Motocross & ATV’s

Dealers Al Badayer Rental (Rental), Dubai-Hatta Road, +971 507842020, www.albadayerrental.com Al Shaali Moto, Ras Al Khor, +971 43200009, sales@alshaalimoto.com. www.alshaalimoto.com Al Yousuf Motors, Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Rd, +971 43390621, www.aym.ae/yamaha Golden Desert Motorcycles Rental (Rental), Dubai-Hatta Road, Dubai, +971 551532550, www.goldendesert-dubai.com Just Gas It, Hatta Rd., Al Aweer, Dubai, UAE, +971 509192394, www.JustGasIt.net KTM, Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, exit 42, +971 4323151, www.ktm.com Liberty Kawasaki, Dubai, Interchange 4, Sheikh Zayed Road, +971 43419341, www.libertykawasaki.com 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 25555144, www.polarisuae.com Sebsports, Al Quoz Industrial Area 1 Dubai, +971 43393399, www.sebsports.com Wild X Adventure Shop, Dubai, +971 48321050, www. wildx.ae Equipment Desert Road Tourism, Al Khor Plaza – 503, Dubai, +971 42959429, www.arabiantours.com Sandstorm Motorcycles (Rental), Al Quoz, Dubai, +971 43470270, www.sandstorm-motorcycles.com Sebsports, Dubai, Al Quoz Industrial Area 3, +971 43393399, www.sebsports.com 2XWheeler, Motorcity Dubai, +971 44548388, www.2xwheeler.com Wild X, Dubai, Um Al Ramoul Industrial Area, +971 42852200, www. wildx.ae Workshops and Services Moto-X and Quad, PO Box 476214, Dubai, UAE, +971 50 6169727, www.gasgasmotos.me

Motorcycling

Distributors and Dealers Al Yousuf Motors, Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Rd, www.aym.ae/yamaha Ducati, Mussafah 4, Street 10, Abu Dhabi, +971 25535771, info2@ducati.ae, www.ducati.ae Duseja Motorcycles, Dubai, Al Quoz, +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, Dubai, Interchange4, Sheikh Zayed Road, +971 42822144, www.libertykawasaki.com Polaris UAE, Al Ghandi Complex, Nad al Hamar Road, Ras Al Khor, +971 42896100, www.polarisuae.com Tristar Motorcycles, +971 43330659, www.tristaruae.com Workshops and Services Al Forsan International Sports Resort, Abu

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OUTDOORUAE

SEPTEMBER 2015 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

Dhabi, +971 25568555, www.alforsan.com Dubai Autodrome, Dubai, +971 43678700 www.dubaiautodrome.com Emirates Motorplex, Umm Al Quwain, +971 67681717 2xWheeler Adventures, Dubai, +971 44548388, www.alainraceway.com Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, www.yasmarinacircuit.com

Off-Road

Dealers Bling My Truck, +971 503634839 / +971 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 4 285 8989, www.aaadubai.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 Off Road Zone, Dubai, Al Quoz, +971 43392449, www.offroad-zone.com Saluki Motorsport, Dubai, +971 43476939 www.salukimotorsport.com Equipment Advanced Expedition Vehicles, Dubai & Abu Dhabi, +971 43307152, www.aev.ae Al Yousuf Motors, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, +971 43390621, www.aym.ae/yamaha Bling My Truck, +971 503634839 / +971 505548255, info@blingmytruck.com, www.blingmytruck.com Heartland UAE, Al Mafraq Industrial, Abu Dhabi, +971 567231967, 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, www.wildx.ae 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.arabiantours.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

Stand up Paddling, Kite & Surfing, Wakeboarding

Equipment Al Boom Marine, Abu Dhabi & Dubai, +971 42894858, www.alboommarine.com Al Masaood Marine, Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, +971 43468000, www.masaoodmarine.com Ikönic Brands, Suite 509 Düsseldorf Business Point Al Barsha Dubai, UAE +971 506874178, info@ikonicbrands.com Kitesurf Dubai, Kitesurf Beach, Umm Suqueim and Jumeirah 3 +971 505586190, www.kitesurfdubai.ae Pearl Water Crafts, Dubai Marina Yacht Club, +971 553749398, www.pearl-watercrafts.com Picnico, Jumeirah Beach Road Opposite Sunset Mall, Dubai, +971 43941653 Surf Dubai, Dubai, Umm Suqeim, +971 505043020, www.surfingdubai.com Surf Shop Arabia, Building 1, Al Manara Road (East), Interchange 3, Dubai,

+971 43791998, 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, Dubai, Umm Suqeim Beach, +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 Kite4fun.net, Abu Dhabi, +971 508133134, www.kite4fun.net 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, astrid@shamalkitesurfing.com, www.shmalkitesurfing.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 556010997, 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, UAE, +971 26395997, www.watercooleduae.com Clubs Abu Dhabi Stand Up Paddle, www.abudhabisup.com UAE SUP www.uaesup.com

Water Parks

Aquaventure Atlantis, Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, +971 44260000, www.atlantisthepalm.ae 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, Abu Dhabi, + 971 25588990, www.adgolfclub.com Al Tamimi Stables, Sharjah, +971 67431122 / +971 44370505, www.tamimistables.com Blokart Sailing, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, +971 556101841, www.blokartme.com

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

Adventure tours and desert safaris

Bike and Hike Oman, PO Box 833, Ruwi, Postal Code 112, Oman, +968 24400873, www.bikeandhikeoman.com Dolphin Qasab Tours, PO Box: 123, P.C.

QATAR DIRECTORY Adventure tours and desert safaris

Al Mulla Travels, PO Box: 4147, Doha, Qatar, +974 44413488, almullatrvls@qatar.net.qa Alpha Tours, PO Box: 13530, Doha, Qatar, +974 4837815, 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, PO Box: 45677, Doha, Qatar East Marine, West Bay, Doha, Qatar, +974 55200078 E2E Qatar Travel and Tours, PO Box: 23563, Doha, Qatar, +974 44502521, www.e2eqatar.com Falcon Travels, PO Box: 22031, Doha, Qatar, +974 44354777, www.falcontravelqatar.com Gulf Adventures, 29, PO Box: 18180 Qatar, +974 44221888, www.gulf-adventures.com Net Tours Qatar, PO Box: 23080, Doha, Qatar, +974 4310902, www.nettours.com.qa Regency Travel & Tours, +974 4434 4503/4718, www.regencyholidays.com Qatar Adventure, PO Box: 13915, Doha, Qatar, +974 55694561, www.qataradventure.com Qatar Desert Gate, Doha, PO Box: 18496 Ad Dawha, Qatar, +974 55594016, www.qatardesertgate.com Qatar Inbound Tours, PO Box: 21153, +974 77451196, www.inboundtoursqatar.com Qatar International Tours, PO Box: 55733 Doha, Qatar, +974 44551141, www.qittour.com Qatar Ventures, Doha, Qatar, +974 55776679, www.qatar-ventures.com

Clubs

Cycling, Running & Triathlon Doha Sailing Club, Katara Beach +974 44439840/+974 55649995 www.qmsf.com

SkiDubai, Dubai, Mall of The Emirates, +971 44094000, www.skidxb.com Spacewalk Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, +971 24463653, www.spacewalk.ae

811, Khasab City, Musandam, Oman, +968 26730813, www.dolphinkhasabtours.com Go Dive Oman, Capital Area Yacht Club (CAYC), Sidab Muscat, +968 99289200, www.godiveoman.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, www.omantrekkingguides.com

+968 99877957, www.musandam-diving.com Global Scuba LLC, +968 24692346, www.global-scuba.com Moon Light Dive Center, P.O. Box: 65, Madinat Qaboos, Muscat Oman, +968 99317700, www.moonlightdive.com Oman Dive Center Resort, PO Box: 199, Medinat Sultan Qaboos, Oman, +968 24824240, www.omandivecenter.info Omanta Scuba Diving Academy, Al Kharjiya Street, Al Shati Area, Muscat, Oman, +968 97700564, www.omantascuba.com Oxygen Diving and Adventures, PO Box: 1363 PC130 Alazaiba, Muscat, Oman, www.o2diveoman.com Seaoman, PO Box: 2394, RUWI PC 112, Oman, +968 24181400, www.seaoman.com Sub Aqua Dive Center, Hilton Salalah Resort, PO Box: 699, Salalah 211, Oman, +968 99894031, www.subaqua-divecenter.com

Oman’s Kite Center, +968 94006007, www.kitesurfing-lessons.com

Stand Up Paddeling, Kite & Surfing, Wakeboarding

Manufacturer Saphire Marine, PO Box: 11, Post Code 118, Muscat, Oman, +968 99877243, www.sapphire-marine.com

Equipment Al Marsa Musandam, PO Box: 44, Dibba, Sultanate of Oman, +968 26836550, www.almarsamusandam.com Al Sawadi Beach Resort, PO 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, PO Box: 940, Muscat, Oman, +968 95035815, www.euro-divers.com Extra Divers Musandam, PO Box: 498, PC 811 Khasab, Musandam, Oman,

Qatar Chain Reaction, www.qatarchainreaction.weebly.com Qatar Sandstromers, +974 77775207 / +974 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, www.galaxysportqatar.com GO Sport, City Centre Mall, 3rd Floor, Qatar: +974 44631644; Villaggio Mall, Qatar: +974 44517574, www.facebook.com/gosport.qatar Sun & Sand Sports, City Centre Mall, Qatar: +974 44837007; Dar Al Salam Mall, Qatar: +974 44932973, www.sunandsandsports.com

Boating & Sailing

Equipment Regatta Sailing Academy, Katara Beach +974 55503484 www.regattasailingacademy.com Distributors and Dealers Speed Marine, Speed Marine, Museum Road, PO Box: 9145 Doha, Qatar, +974 44410109, www.speedmarinegroup.com

Horse Riding

Equestrian Clubs/Centres Al Shaqab, PO Box: 90055, Doha, Qatar, +974 44546320, www.alshaqab.com Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club, Racing and Equestrian Club, PO Box: 7559, Doha, Qatar, +974 44197664, 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,

Add your free listing to the 74

OUTDOORUAE

Dusseldorf Business Point, Al Barsha 1, Dubai, +971 44502418, www.sltme.com Sport and Health Centres Bespoke Wellness, Dubai, +971 553724670, www.bespoke-wellness.com Original Fitness Co., C6 Tower Al Bateen Bainunah St, Abu Dhabi, +971 2406 9404, www.originalfitnessco.com Orthosports, 5B Street, Jumeira Beach road, Dubai, +971 4355060, www.orthosp.com The Physio Center, Suite 405, Building 49, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai, +971 44370570, www.physiocentre.ae

Children’s City, Creek Park Gate No.1, Dubai, +971 43340808, www.childrencity.ae Dolphin Bay Atlantis, Dubai, +971 44260000, www.atlantisthepalm.ae Dubai Dolphinarium Dubai, Creek Park Gate No. 1, +971 43369773, www.dubaidolphinarium.ae iFly Dubai, Dubai, Mirdif City Centre, +971 42316292, www.iflyme.com Sadiyaat Beach Club, Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, +971 25578000, www.sbgolfclub.ae Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club, Sharjah, +971 43999005, www.golfandshootingshj.com

Diving

OMAN DIRECTORY

SEPTEMBER 2015 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

Health, Safety & Training

Safety Lessons Marine Concept Yacht Charter & Sea School, Rania Business Centre, Dubai, +971 559603030, www.marine-charter-concept.com Safety & Leisure Training Middle East,

Equipment, Operators Kiteboarding Oman, Sawadi Beach, PO Box: 133, PC 118, Muscat, Oman, +968 96323524, www.kiteboarding-oman.com

PO Box: 5048, Doha, Qatar, +974 66304061, www.dohasubaquaclub.com Extreme Adventure, PO 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, PO Box: 2489, Doha, Qatar, +974 44449553, www.pearl-divers.org Poseidon Dive Center, Ras Abu Abboud Street, Al Emadi Suites, Showroom #2, PO Box: 11538, 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, Souq Al Najada cnr of Grand Hamad and Ali bin Abdulla Str.; Al-Odeid Aisle numbers 129-132, +974 55319507, www.qdive.net World Marine Centre, PO Box: 6944, Doha, Qatar, +974 44360989, www.worldmarinecenter.webs.com Pearl Divers, Al Mirqab Al Jadeed Street, Doha, Qatar, +974 4444 9553, www.pearl-divers.org Poseidon Dive Center, Ras Abu Abboud Street, Al Emadi Suites, Showroom #2, PO Box: 11538, Doha, Qatar, +974 66084040, www.pdcqatar.com Qatar Divers, Marriott Hotel Marina Near Old Airport, Ras Abu Aboud Area, Doha, Qatar, +974 44313331, www.qatardivers.com Qatar Marine, Go Sport City Center West Bay, PO Box: 16657, Doha, +974 553199507, www.qatarmarine.net Qatar Scuba Centre, 187 Al Mansoura Street, Al Mansoura Area, Doha, Qatar, +974 66662277 / +974 44422234, www.qatarscubacenter.com Qdive Marine Center, PO Box: 16657, Doha, Qatar, +974 44375065, www.qdive.net World Marine Centre, Old Salata Street, near the Qatar National Museum, Doha, Qatar, +974 55508177

Fishing & Kayaking

Equipment Al Kashat, Fishing and Hunting Equipment, Souq Waqif, next to the Falcon Souq,

Camping & Hiking

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

Fishing & Kayaking

Equipment Az’Zaha Tours, +968 99013424, www.azzahatours.com Water World Marine Oman, PO Box: 76, Muscat, 113, Sultanate of Oman, +968 24737438, www.waterworldoman.com

Boating & Sailing

+974 66724828 Al Mamzoore Marine Equipment, PO 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, PO 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 Entalek, +974 3023 3207, www.entalek.org

Motocross & ATV’s Dealers

Qatar Adventures, Barwa Village, Building # 9 Shop # 11, Doha, Qatar, +974 77700074

Stand Up Paddeling, Kite & Surfing, Wakeboarding

Equipment, Operators Fly-N-Ride, Ras abu Aboud, Doha, +974 33117089, www.fly-n-ride.com Flo Kite School, Westbay, Doha, +974 55041039, 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 40165155 / 40165156

ONLINE DIRECTORY

Available at

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