OutdoorUAE - March 2016

men follow

GEAR FOR THE GIRLS

All you need to know about DIBS 2016

Mothers, Leg end

s, Icons, Enth Here’s to usiasts the Girls!

March 2016

Close encounter with pirates!

www.Outdoor UAE

.com

Exclusive: EXTREME SAIL ING SERIES’ SARAH AYTO N, OBE

’s Issue!

THE TRACK

ia icons to

Plus free Sp ecial Women

LADIES ON

#OutdoorWo

Social med

Lure them out!

The magic of fishing lures Extreme sailing Series underway

Plenty of

PRODUCTS TO CHECK OUT

Price 10.00 AED 10.00 QAR 1.00 OMR

BLOOMIN’ LOVELY!

A closer look:

UAE MANGROVES

Vol. 6, No. 3 March 2016

First ever Bloomberg Square Mile Relay

www.OutdoorUAE.com

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

MARCH 2016 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

OutdoorUAE Team

Our fascination with water What is it that attracts us humans so much to water? Is it the fact that our body is 90% made of it? Is it that we cannot survive without it?

Is it just historically rooted in us since trade routes were popular on water and we settle here? Or are there some other spiritual reasons? I guess the more people you will ask the more answers you will get. But one thing is for certain, here in the UAE the sea is a great playground for outdoor activities. No matter if you are bound to the beach or have access to the infinite horizon, the sea has something to offer for everyone. And the best thing about it, despite the mountains and the desert, we can enjoy the sea all year round. In the past years, not only the outdoor community grew offering easier access to activities through, clubs, events and related businesses. Also the emirates developed the cost in many places with great new facilities to enjoy the beach and the sea in the city. Yet the public beaches are limited and might get busy from time to time, so if you are look for some solitude, you might sail away, dive into the deep blue or go on your own journey to find the last lonely beach in the UAE. If you need inspiration, what you could to on the waters, read our exciting stories or just get down to the beach and have look around, you see people fishing, kite or wave surfing, SUPing, kayaking, dragon boating, snorkeling, swimming, sailing and so much more.

You can also visit us at the Dubai Boat Show or the Abu Dhabi Emirates Palace SUP Race this March and try out some new Daniel Birkhofer Founder and activities and don’t forget to share your stories or photos with us General Manager daniel@outdooruae.com and the community.

Editor For editorial content and press releases Tel: 04-447 2030 Mobile: 055 5760322 editor@outdooruae.com Sales & Marketing (advertisement enquiries) Tel: 04-447 2030 Mobile: 055 8647125 nela@outdooruae.com Mobile: 055 9398915 margo@outdooruae.com Published by Outdoor UAE FZE In cooperation with A2Z EVENTS P.O. Box 215062 Dubai, U.A.E. Cover photo by: Will Pardoe

Tel. 04-447 2030 contact@outdooruae.com www.outdooruae.com Distributor Dar Al Hikma LLC P.O. Box 2007, Dubai, UAE Tel. 04-266 5394 Printed at GN Printing P.O. Box 6519, Dubai, UAE © 2016 Outdoor UAE FZE Vol. 6, No. 3, March 2016

Rachael Bruford Travel Editor rachael@outdooruae.com

Eulogy van Dyk Editor Qatar eulogy@outdooruae.com

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

Nela Macovei Sales and Marketing nela@outdooruae.com

Margo Ciruelos Sales and Marketing margo@outdooruae.com

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

Katherine Cañedo Patangui Administration kathy@outdooruae.com

Ian Sebeldia Circulation ian@outdooruae.com

EXPERTS & CONTRIBUTORS

Kit Belen Our fishing pro

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

www.OutdoorUAE.com Facebook.com/OutdoorUAE

Ivana Chiles Health coach and outdoor enthusiast

Twitter.com/OutdoorUAE Instagram.com/OutdoorUAE Dan Wright Freelance wilderness guide in the UAE

The information contained is for general use only.

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

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

Get to us on Facebook!

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

Jake Lyle Diving and Watersport Expert

Helle Bachofen Von Echt Elite Women Cyclist

WHEN YOU’RE DONE READING, PLEASE RECYCLE!

Marina Bruce The Desert Diva and off-road expert

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

MARCH 2016 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

CONTENTS

14 SAILING ARABIA: THE TOUR

20 WADI BIH 72KM SOLO

32 NOMAD’S ROAD

EVERY ISSUE

TRAVEL + ADVENTURE

06 EVENTS CALENDAR 08 BEST SHOTS 09 OFF-ROADER’S CORNER: GOING XTREME WITH AJAY’S FJ 40 PRODUCTS 62 DIRECTORY

24 ACROSS ARABIAN SEAS: SWARMED

BY PIRATES, SHOT AT BY REBELS 28 THINGVALLAVATN: JURASSIC LAKE WITH BROWN TROUT 32 NOMAD’S ROAD: INTO THE ARABIC PENINSULA

EVENT & ACTIVITY REPORTS

LIFESTYLE

10 EXTREME SAILING SERIES 12 OOREDOO MARATHON 13 PREVIEW: CUSTOM SHOW EMIRATES 14 SAILING ARABIA: THE TOUR 16 DUBAI INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW GUIDE 18 BLOOMBERG SQUARE MILE RELAY 20 WADI BIH 72KM SOLO

34 OUTDOOR FLICKS: POINT BREAK 35 HABITUALLY HEALTHY: THE HUMBLE SWEET POTATO 36 NATURAL HISTORY: MANGROVE FORESTS

4

OUTDOORUAE

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

MARCH 2016 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

38 TRIED AND TESTED: 2016 SUZUKI VITARA

50 DUBAI TOUR

58 JEFF MCBRIDE – SCUBA DIVER

TRIED + TESTED

PEOPLE

38 2016 SUZUKI VITARA 41 2XU COMPRESSION RECOVERY TIGHTS

58 JEFF MCBRIDE – SCUBA DIVER

OUR EXPERTS

TIPS + TRICKS

48 FINDING SUCCESS IN LURES - KIT 50 DUBAI TOUR - NICO 52 DIVING HOTSPOT: OMAN - JAKE 54 WOMEN ON WHEELS: WHEN LADIES IN QATAR GATHER... – HELLE 56 STUCK! - MARINA

59 FIT AND FAST BY FITNESS FIRST 60 THE NEED FOR SPEED 61 CLEANING YOUR RIDE BY REVOLUTION CYCLES

OUTDOORUAE

5

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

EVENTS CALENDAR

MARCH 2016 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

STAY UP-TO-DATE WITH THE LATEST EVENTS

MARCH 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 31

01

M A R C H

DUBAI INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW 2016

The finest collection of yachts, marine lifestyle and watersports.

When: March 1-5 Where: Dubai International Marine Club, Mina Seyahi Contact: www.boatshowdubai.com

05

M A R C H

ITU WORLD TRIATHLON ABU DHABI

The pinnacle of world triathlon racing is coming to the UAE capital When: March 5 Where: Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club Contact: www.abudhabi.triathlon.org MARCH

11

HATTA HILLS RUNNING FESTIVAL

Mixed distance running event for the whole family.

When: March 11 Where: Hatta Fort Hotel Contact: www.premieronline.com

12

M A R C H

2016 EMIRATES PALACE SUP FESTIVAL

The third annual Emirates Palace SUP festival is here for the largest SUP event on the UAE calendar!

When: March 12 Where: Emirates Palace Contact: www.abudhabisup.com MARCH

12

DESERT ROAD RUNNERS – DUBAI AUTODROME 10K 2016

Lace up your trainers and join the Desert Road Runners as they tackle the Grand Prix Circuit of the Dubai Autodrome.

When: March 12 Where: Dubai Autodrome Contact: www.hopasports.com

MARCH

12

GO SPORT MINA MILE OPEN WATER SERIES

Test your swim skills in this multi-distance race off Barasti Beach.

When: March 12 Where: Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Contact: www.supersportsdubai.com

MARCH

17

FINA/NVC DIVING WORLD SERIES

A high profile diving competition which offers the chance to see the world’s brightest diving stars coming together.

When: March 17-19 Where: Hamdan Sports Complex Contact: www.fina.org

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

31

MARCH 2016 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

M A R C H

CUSTOM SHOW EMIRATES 2016

In its second year, Custom Show Emirates is the largest custom cars and bike show in the entire Middle East.

When: March 31-April 2 Where: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre Contact: www.customshowemirates.com

26

M A R C H

DUBAI WORLD CUP 2016

Once again, the region’s premier equestrian event is set to excite audiences When: March 26 Where: Meydan Grandstand and Racecourse Contact: www.dubaiworldcup.com MARCH

18

ADNOC CYCLE CHALLENGE 2016 The prestigious 85km city cycle race is back!

When: March 18 Where: Abu Dhabi Corniche Contact: www.premieronline.com

26

M A R C H

URBAN-ULTRA X-TRI

Take part in the only off-road triathlon challenge in the region!

When: March 26 Where: Kalba, Sharjah Contact: www.urbanultra.com

MARCH

25

UAE WOODEN POWERBOAT CHAMPIONSHIP

Speed and tradition at the helm, the Wooden Powerboat Championship is a long standing UAE tradition founded in 1987.

When: March 25 Where: Dubai International Marine Club, Mina Seyahi Contact: www.dimc.ae

MARCH

19

ZAYED MARATHON 2016

All proceeds go to health charities on the day the UAE runs!

When: March 19 Where: Yas Marina Circuit Grand Prix Circuit Contact: www.premieronline.com

MARCH

26

ABU DHABI CYCLE RACE 2

The second of four Abu Dhabi Sports Council hosted races held on closed tracks When: March 26 Where: Abu Dhabi Contact: www.premieronline.com

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

MARCH 2016 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

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

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

Madhubabu Singadi

Dawn at Dubai Al Qudra Lakes

Wilander Xavier

Silhouettes of Dubai’s iconic skyline

8

OUTDOORUAE

Abdulqader Al Ani

A camel walking alone in Liwa dunes

THE

OFF-ROADERS corner

that the FJ was down to its chassis. That’s where, I thought of testing this feature, and activated it. With the crawl control working, I could guide the car out of the soft patch within a few minutes. If I didn’t have this feature onboard, I guess I would have required a strong snatch or a winch recovery.

Going Xtreme with Ajay’s FJ Name: Ajay Sikri Nationality: Indian Occupation: Vice President at Damac Ride: 2016 Toyota FJ Cruiser Xtreme

Extreme could mean a lot of different things but one thing is for sure. It crosses the line of comfort and heads on to face any challenge with pride. Such is the story of Ajay Sikri and his Toyota FJ Cruiser “Xtreme”. A little bit unassuming on the looks department, this beast can fend for itself in the middle of the desert. And in Ajay’s masterful hands, the extreme has reached another level of extreme.

Tell us a little background story about the car.

The FJ Cruiser Xtreme is an upgrade on the stock FJ, undertaken jointly by Al Futtaim Motors and Arctic Trucks. The upgrades focus on enhancing the off-road capabilities of the car. Having driven long wheelbase models, I had been hearing about the Xtreme version for the past two to three years and have received good feedback from fellow off-roaders about it. While I had modified my earlier off-road rides, namely a Nissan Patrol and Toyota Land Cruiser, this time I decided to take the basic modifications as a package that comes out of the Al Futtaim and Arctic Trucks duo after a prototype testing.

Could you tell us all about the modifications that were made?

Performance and cosmetic-wise?

There are a couple of modifications that

What were your other options before you bought this car?

The Jeep Wrangler and Nissan Xterra - since all three are very decent small/mid-sized offroaders, It wasn’t an easy choice, especially with a wide price-differential between the three. After a careful analysis, I settled down for the FJ over the Wrangler due to better ride comfort; more boot space; superior engine and overall Toyota assurance of reliability. The Nissan Xterra would also have given me these to an extent, but even its “off-road” version is no match to what an FJ Xtreme offers.

How do you spend time with the car?

came with the package but I plan on giving it my own personal touches by adding more parts that fit my preferences. Modifications include: Performance: Heavy-duty Fox suspension, Catback exhaust, Hood Scoop, smaller (16”) heavy-duty rims, BFGoodrich off-road tyres, heavy-duty skid-plate, rear hitch receiver/ recovery point Safety/Driving comfort: LED Driving lights, off-road flag, blind spot and cross traffic detector Cosmetic: Matt black package, Bushwacker Fender Flares

Do you have something that you would consider to be a “special feature” of your car?

A-Trac and Crawl Control. The A-Trac has been an established feature of the FJ ever since its launch in 2007, the Crawl Control has been a recent addition to this car and it enhances the effectiveness of the recovery effort. I distinctively remember the first time when I used it. I was in the middle of the Liwa desert and got caught at a very soft patch in a shallow bowl of sand. The sand was so soft

We are good company for each other once we get off the road. I have had this car only for three months now, so on most weekends, I have taken it to the sands in the UAE and Oman. As the weather turns warmer, the FJ will take me to cooler wadis and the Jebels of Oman for wadi bashing, hiking and similar adventures.

How often do you use your car?

This is my regular ride to work these days, but it’s put to quality use over the weekends.

Any future modifications that you are planning?

No mechanical modifications planned immediately, but I plan to add a few comfort and conveniences like a rear storage locker; more driving lights and probably a winch.

What 4x4 do you dream of owning?

Mercedes Benz G Class AMG 6x6

Want your 4X4 to be the next feature?

It’s all simple! Just send us an email at editor@outdooruae.com with the subject “Off-Roaders Corner” and you and your car might just be the next one on this page!

OUTDOORUAE

9

EVENT REPORT

The Extreme Sailing Series is Back for its 10th Season!

Photos By: Keith Perena and Lloyd Images

The 2016 Extreme Sailing Series was officially launched at the Dubai International Marine Club last 10 February with a full line-up of eight world-class teams, from eight nations confirmed.

As the event heads into its tenth year, a selection of the world’s top sailors have been trained and hosted at Dubai International Marine Club. Expectations are high as the teams prepare to set sail on a new fleet of GC32 catamarans and a new generation Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT)

10

OUTDOORUAE

From left: Alinghi skipper (SUI) - Arnaud Psarofaghis (SUI), Land Rover BAR Academy skipper (GBR), Bleddyn Môn Skipper (GBR), Oman Air Skipper (OMA)- Morgan Larson (USA), Portuguese Team skipper, (name TBC) Diogo Cayolla (POR), Red Bull Sailing Team skipper (AUT) - Roman Hagara (AUT), SAP Extreme Sailing Team Skipper (DEN) - Jes Gram-Hansen (DEN) , Team Turx skipper (TUR) - Edhem Dirvana (TUR)

of foiling boats which are partly manufactured in the UAE. Following on from the launch in Dubai, the series will touch down in an additional seven iconic urban city centres, including the Portuguese capital Lisbon which will makes its debut as a new stadium sailing racecourse.

In previous years host cities have attracted more than one million spectators and have proved popular with residents and visitors alike.

Andy Tourell, Event Director for the Extreme Sailing Series commented on the landmark year: “2016 marks the tenth year of this elite competition a milestone year for us in more ways than one, not least the change of racing platform to the GC32 which brings with it a whole new dimension to the racing and public experience.The Dubai International Marine Club is the perfect venue to commence the season and we are grateful for their support and for helping make the event a success.”

The competition on the water promises to be fierce and action-packed with America’s Cup legends, Olympic heroes and world champions preparing to do battle at close quarters. Among the crews will be veterans

of 13 Olympic campaigns and 22 America’s Cup campaigns. Between them they also hold 27 World Championship titles, 27 European Championships and 106 National Title Holders.

On the grid for the new season are 2015 runners-up SAP Extreme Sailing Team co-skippered for a fifth year by Jes GramHansen and Rasmus Køstner from Denmark, who have boosted their on-board talent with Italian Pierluigi De Felice, a multiple World Champion and three-times America’s Cup sailor.

SAP’s 2015 sparring partners, Red Bull Sailing Team, skippered by Austrian double Olympic gold medallist Roman Hagara with Hans-Peter Steinacher calling the tactics will also return to the starting blocks.

2014 Extreme Sailing Series champions from Switzerland and two-time winners of the America’s Cup Alinghi will return to the circuit armed with foiling expertise after coming second in the 2015 GC32 Great Cup. Team principal Ernesto Bertarelli will be sharing helming duties throughout the season with Arnaud Psarofaghis (SUI).

“Using the GC32 this season will be a great change to the circuit,” commented

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

MARCH 2016 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

Issa Khalfan bin Kharbash, DIMC board member and Head of Sports Committee and Khalid Bin Dasmal DIMC board member, Extreme Sailing Series event organisers and the skippers of the participating teams.

Psarofaghis. “It’ll be even more interesting on the small racecourses, with the boats coming in at more than 25 knots. We really like the Series and, with the switch to the GC32, it’s a really good opportunity for us.

We know the boats well after a year racing on the GC32 circuit, but the other teams will catch up quickly.”

Alinghi’s former helmsman Morgan Larson will head up the Omani entry, Oman Air, alongside three of the five winning crew from the 2015 season. The Land Rover BAR Academy squad, announced last week, will be led for the first two Acts by the 2015-winning skipper and most successful sailor in Series history, Leigh McMillan, who will mentor the Academy sailors alongside Bleddyn Môn and Ben Ainslie.

Edhem Dirvana, skipper of Team Turx, returns for his second year on the circuit, and for the first time, a Portuguese team led by three-time Olympian and 2015 Team Turx crew Diogo Cayolla, will make its debut.

The Global Stage

The fleet will once again do battle on a global stage, taking in three continents over the next 10 months, bringing foiling to urban city stadiums for the first time.

After the season-opener in Muscat – where the eighth team will be revealed, the fleet will travel to China’s Olympic Sailing City, Qingdao in May, a venue that has become a firm favourite on the Series calendar over the years.

Returning to Europe in June, the Series touches down on UK shores in Cardiff for Act 3 for the fifth consecutive year, an event that attracted record numbers of spectators in 2013, with over 120,000 people taking front row seats around Cardiff Bay. The German metropolis of Hamburg will host Act 4 in July following its impressive debut in 2015, before the Series heads to the spectacular skyline of St Petersburg, Russia for Act 5 at the start of September, and onto Istanbul, Turkey for Act 6 just three weeks later.

New to the calendar for 2016 Lisbon, Portugal will make its debut as the penultimate Act of the year, before the Series comes to a crescendo at the final Act in Australia in December.

2016 Extreme Sailing Series Calendar of Acts

Oman Air (OMA)

2016 Extreme Sailing Series Teams and Skippers Alinghi (SUI)

Arnaud Psarofaghis (SUI)/ Ernesto Bertarelli (SUI)

16-19 March

Muscat, Oman

Land Rover BAR Academy (GBR)

Bleddyn Môn (GBR)

29 April - 2 May

Qingdao, China

Oman Air (OMA)

Morgan Larson (USA)

23-26 June

Cardiff, United Kingdom

Diogo Cayolla (POR)

28-31 July

Hamburg, Germany

Portuguese Team (name TBC)

1-4 September

Saint Petersburg, Russia

Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT)

Roman Hagara (AUT)

22-25 September Istanbul, Turkey 6-9 October

Portugal, Lisbon

SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN)

Jes Gram-Hansen (DEN)/ RasmusKostner (DEN)

8-11 December

Australia

Team Turx (TUR)

Edhem Dirvana (TUR)

EVENT REPORT

Whatever you are running for… bring it on!

Words By: Eulogy van Dyk Photos By: Ooredoo Qatar

The coolest months of the year here in the Middle East are between December to February as we know it (or feel it) and this is the ideal time to explore some of the outdoor attractions on the beaches, sand dunes and parks – or to run the Ooredoo Marathon!

Now in its fourth year running, this is Qatar’s most prestigious marathon and has seen its number rising year after year!

Their slogan says it all, “Whatever you are running for… bring it on!” And like so, almost 2,000 runners woke up early morning on the 8th of January 2016 to take to the starting line to run for charity, socializing, health, to win or just for the FUN! The marathon featured four courses for all abilities of runners including a full marathon, half-marathon, 10km, 5km and a special children’s 3km fun run. Having this variety

of distances made it possible for the whole family to come out for the morning and enjoy the event together.

The event was hosted at the Museum of Islamic Art, an iconic building and monument located on the port side of the Doha Corniche in Qatar. The big green park, with walking paths, playground for kids and fantastic view of the Doha skyline made this an ideal location to start off an event like this.

The route went all along the Doha Corniche, which stretches around five to six kilometres along the coastline and each distance has a different turn point. The 10km runners did one full lap of running up and down the Corniche whereas the half marathon runners did two laps and then full marathon runners did four laps. The route was also closed for traffic, which was fantastic to ensure a safe run for all!

This year’s marathon really saw runners from all over the world, jogging, sprinting or walking. Several teams from business, schools and athletic clubs participated, which aimed to help people become more active and healthy.

But in the end it was the Kenyans that

Ooredoo Chairman and Minister of sports and Youth

dominated the competitive races winning men’s and women’s full marathon. With 2 hours 21 minutes, Amos Maindi finished first place in men’s full marathon category and compatriot Pamela Chepkoech Bundotich took the title in the female division with 2 hours 58 minutes.

All finishers were awarded with a very special finisher’s medal as well as an awesome event t-shirt and lunch pack! So everyone truly felt like a winner on the day!

The event has really grown into a highlyanticipated event for experienced marathon runners, health-conscious people and novices and it is expected that people will jump to get entries for next year!

The Minister of Youth and Sports H.E. Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser Al Ali and Ooredoo Chairman Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Thani also attended the event. The Minister expressed delight and support to the event and said it is in line with the ministry’s vision of promoting the wellbeing of people in Qatar.

For 2016, the total prize purse was worth 1,000,000 QAR (worth flying over for the weekend don’t you think?)

Funds raised by entry fees of the Ooredoo Marathon were donated to a range of worthy charities in Qatar.

A highly recommended event, with great views of Doha city and skyline, awesome atmosphere, loads of friendly people and definitely an event to put on your “run-it-list”!

EVENT PREVIEW

Custom Show Emirates

is Back on the Track!

Words + Photos Supplied By: Custom Show Emirates

Now in its second year, Custom Show Emirates is the biggest custom cars and bikes show in the Middle East.

Held alongside the biggest automotive awards in the Middle East (MECOTY) and the 1st Abu Dhabi International Motorshow – this grand event is a motoring

extravaganza you just cannot miss.

The show not only provides premium automotive entertainment to its visitors but also serves as a B2B and B2C platform that connects suppliers and retailers of tuning and aftermarket products, directly with buyers and end consumers. The show is also a strategic partner of SEMA Show in the United States.

The show will highlight the latest in auto customization products and services, feature international pavilions and showcase several new and exciting activities such as; 4x4 drifting, saloon drifting, stunt driving, cars & bikes parade, live customisation, battle of the engines, bikers build-off, car audio competitions, RC arena, motorsports hall, performance zone, dyno zone, SEMA garage and much more to keep the adrenaline pumping for the visitors.

With multiple new pavilions and exhibitors from all over the world including, USA, Australia, Japan, Russia, China, New Zealand, India and of course UAE’s very own, the second edition of Custom Show Emirates will drive forward the regional motor tuning industry and establish its position as the main platform for exchanging ideas, presenting new products and providing opportunities for customers to choose the best products and services.

Need to Know When:

31 March - 2 April, 2016 31 March - 10 am to 10 pm 01 April - 3 pm to 10 pm 02 April - 10 am to 10 pm

Where: ADNEC (Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre), Halls 9, 10, 11 and Capital plaza Visit: Tickets are priced at 50 AED available at the show or at www.abu-dhabi.platinumlist.net

OUTDOORUAE

13

EVENT REPORT

Third Time’s a Charmer EFG Bank Monaco on the way for third Sailing Arabia victory Photos By: Mark Lloyd

Defending champions, EFG Bank Monaco are on course for a third consecutive EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour title after winning leg three of the epic 730 nautical mile race. The team sailed to glory in the 280nm stage from Doha in Qatar to Khasab on Oman’s Musandam peninsula, their second offshore victory in three legs.

The team, who lifted the EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour trophy in 2014 and 2015, now sits comfortably at the top of the overall leaderboard with just two more legs to sail. They have proved almost unbeatable in upwind conditions but with a following wind forecast for Thursday’s 140nm leg south to Sohar, skipper Sidney Gavignet said his team must now outperform their challengers with their spinnakers hoisted if they are to seal overall victory.

Omani crews Al Mouj, Muscat and Renaissance Services came second and third respectively as the battle for an overall podium position heats up. British title contenders Team Averda had hoped to claw back some points on EFG Bank Monaco during the stage, the longest of the event, but finished a disappointing fifth. Round

14

OUTDOORUAE

the world yachtswoman Dee Caffari’s Oman Airports-Al Thuraya Women’s Team finished the leg in sixth place.

The fleet departed Doha’s The Pearl-Qatar on Monday in a fresh 10-15 knot wind that saw them make good headway towards Khasab over the first 24 hours. EFG Bank Monaco took an early lead before commencing a clever tactical strategy that saw them cover every move of their closest rivals in order to defend their advantage.

But when the breeze vanished after some 150nm of intense racing, race director Gilles Chiorri took the decision to shorten the leg and take the results from a scoring gate just over halfway along the course. The move handed the win to EFG Bank Monaco – and now gives them the upper hand going into the last two legs of EFG Sailing Arabia the Tour.

Stepping off the dock in Khasab, Gavignet said: “It was another great win for us – it seems we are unbeatable upwind. We are quite confident at this point of Sailing Arabia – The Tour that we can win it. Our confidence has been growing throughout the event and it is high going into the fourth and fifth legs. But in order to win we now have to prove that we can be downwind champions too.”

Renaissance Services skipper Fahad Al Hasni, who has spent five years as Gavignet’s protege, said his crew were now more determined than ever to beat local rivals Al Mouj, Muscat. “It feels great to be back

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

in Oman - I really missed my home country and now we are back, it gives the team extra energy. We had a really close race with Al Mouj, Muscat and we now have a fight on our hands to beat them in legs four and five.

We will try our hardest to beat them and hopefully we will succeed.”

Leg 3 results:

1. EFG Bank Monaco (MON/Sidney Gavignet)

MARCH 2016 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

2. Al Mouj, Muscat (OMA/Nico Lunven) 3. Renaissance Services (OMA/Fahad Al Hasni) 4. Team Zain (KWT/Cedric Pouligny) 5. Team Averda (GBR/Marcel Herrera) 6. Oman Airports-Al Thuraya Women’s Team (OMA/Dee Caffari) 7. TU Delft Challenge (NED/Wouter Sonnema) 8. Team Bienne Voile (SUI/Lorenz Mueller) 9. Team Mangold (GER/Martin Felgenhauer)

Ocean Sports FZE: enquiries@kitesurfsup.com | +971 (0) 55 935 2735

EVENT REPORT

Your Ultimate Guide to the 2016

Dubai International Boat Show New Activity-Based Features, Water Sports, First-Time Ever Beach Access and On-Yacht Dining Experiences Photos By: Jung Francisco and Supplied

Welcome to the 2016 edition of Dubai International Boat Show.

Upon reading this we are sure that you have already seen some of the features of the Boat Show. This year, you may notice some new activities and we are encouraging you to please, try them out for yourselves. As such, old favourites are still present so not only can you experience the Boat Show you’ve come to know and love, you can also experience it in a different way.

This year, we are expanding into an experiential lifestyle event which is set to delight not only sailors but also watersport fans as well.

The 24th running of the Dubai International Boat Show, March 1-5 2016, showcases new visitor experiences to include not only the most spectacular superyachts but to now also include a host of active offerings – from sailing and fishing trips to watersport stunts, taster sessions of stand-up paddle boarding and windsurfing, as well as first-time-ever beach access and even onyacht dining experiences.

In line with Dubai’s global reputation as

a destination for world-class events and entertainment, the show’s new activity-based offerings will move the region’s leading event for the marine leisure industry to an all-new level.

“Great events become truly exceptional when they become experiential in nature.

Dubai, as an emirate, has long spearheaded this trend and has developed an international reputation for being a must-visit global lifestyle destination, and the Dubai International Boat Show aims to embody this reputation as we continue to expand on our world class features,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, DWTC, organiser of Dubai International Boat Show.

“In our almost two and a half decades of history, the show has clearly witnessed a shift in the way visitors want to participate and

how exhibitors want to showcase their products. Increasingly, marine enthusiasts who attend our show are looking for an on-water experience which encourages more buyers of boats, marine accessories and watersports equipment – which further boosts the regional industry,” LohMirmand added.

With more than 30,000 visitors from 120 countries, 430 boats on land and water, as well as products from over 800 exhibitors and brands from 51 countries, this year’s Boat Show is comprehensive as it is expansive.

We believe that our goal to make the Boat Show as an experiential event is a success because of you – the reader’s presence here.

“More and more, the region’s residents are becoming maritime leisure enthusiasts. They seek more than just yachts and boats, but a “360 degree” experience encompassing all

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

aspects of a luxury lifestyle. The full scale marine sector offering targeting those that want to bring their own lifestyle to the water is an area that the industry must tap into, and this is where the Dubai International Boat Show shines. There is no better way to reach this unique market segment than by being at the best lifestyle event on the maritime calendar,” said Gregor Stinner, CEO of Art Marine.

2015 Show Sectors and New Features

New to this edition of the Dubai International Boat Show are a host of interactive and free activities to ensure that you and your family or friends will have a wonderful time. These include daily daredevil jetpack, flyboard and fly bike stunts in association with yacht and watersports provider Day & Night Dubai.

Also new this year is a thrice-daily Hands-on Boating Experience in conjunction with Marine Concept Sea School and Yacht Charter where participants can learn the basics of owning and driving a boat, while a unique Fishing Trip Experience – also taking place three times a day – will give participants a chance to learn quick fishing and trolling activities in partnership with Boat Pilot UAE. For the first time ever, organisers have opened up the beach for visitors to take part in even more activities. In association with watersports centre Watercooled UAE, catamaran taster sessions, stand-up paddle boarding sessions, windsurfing manoeuvres and kayaking adventures are all on offer on the water, giving enthusiasts and newcomers a taste of the marine leisure lifestyle. Kite surfing kit displays and technique discussions will also be available for viewing.

“We know how keen both residents and international visitors alike are to get out on the water here because it’s what we do every single day. Bringing this experiential element to the Dubai International Boat Show will definitely attract more crowds and bring a new energy to the show. This is a fantastic showcase for the range of activities available here, really highlighting the growing leisure marine community. This is a reflection of how much is on offer here, not just in terms of activities but also certified training and development,” said Barry Conlon, General Manager of Watercooled UAE. Show sectors for this year include: Marina Display, Outdoor Display, Luxury and Lifestyle (LSS), Equipment Services and Supplies (ESS), and Diving. Returning again this year is the Superyacht Life area, bringing together the

world’s leading Superyacht builders under the banner of the Superyacht Builders Association (SYBAss), as well as show favourites - Supercar Promenade, Dive Middle East Exhibition (DMEX) and the Retail Village, rounding out an even more expanded show lineup – including the arrival of Sahtein, a gourmet food event from the Dubai Food Carnival.

Following their successful launch in 2015, returning this year are the much heralded DIBS Sailing, DIBS Fishing, and DIBS Watersports sectors. The 2015 DIBS Visitor Survey noted that 28%, 50% and 41% of visitors regularly participated in watersports, sailing and fishing respectively, and so these dedicated sectors have been further developed for this year’s show as enthusiasts continue to enter, and grow within, the marine lifestyle at all entry points.

Education plays a key focus at Dubai International Boat show with a collection of talks, conferences and seminars catering to a community hungry for knowledge. Supported

by OutdoorUAE, the Marine Talks feature experts in the field of fishing, diving, sailing and watersports in interactive sessions. The Middle East Yachting Conference will again bring together global experts and industry authorities, as well as boating enthusiasts, to address the latest trends, technologies, plans and regulations affecting the marine leisure sector in Dubai and beyond.

The 24th Dubai International Boat Show at Dubai International Marine Club - Mina Seyahi is open to trade visitors and the gen-

MARCH 2016 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

eral public from 3pm – 9.30pm daily from 1 – 5 March 2016, with a single entry ticket cost of 60 AED. For more information and updates as they happen check out boatshowdubai.com or follow us on the following channels: DubaiBoatShow

@dibshow

@dubaiboat

OUTDOORUAE

17

EVENT REPORT

Atoussa on her final stretch

Ties for Trainers?

The First Ever Bloomberg Square Mile Relay Photos By: Keith Pereña and Supplied

There was a throng of people standing avidly on one side of the area and it was such a curious sight as they were all looking to their left — anticipating something or someone to come along. It was the latter as we saw firsthand as a couple of runners came and passed on a baton to the next person, this person then blitz his/her way down the track as the one who passed the baton slowed down, took a deep breath and went to the side of the track to take the exit.

18

OUTDOORUAE

They looked exhausted – the ones who finished, but despite that, there was still time for them to smile and even take a selfie with their colleagues who were still waiting on their turn. This was the sort of vibe that we saw during the first ever Bloomberg Square Mile Relay held last February 3 at the DIFC. More than 500 city workers swapped their ties for running trainers to compete in the race touted as the ultimate corporate relay race.

The race saw 50 of Dubai’s biggest firms including Emirates NBD, Dubai Airports, HSBC, J.P. Morgan, Standard Chartered and more battle it out over a one-mile (1.6km) route through the streets and pathways of Dubai International Financial Centre.

Complete with a mix of stairs, straightaways and tight turns. Thus proving that this event — with the help of the venue proved to be a challenge especially to those runners who are more accustomed to walking their way to the same paths on their way to work. But this time, they’re running it.

We got up close with a couple of runners on the field discussing their group’s strategy or simply just enjoying the music and following the constant race updates on the screen. We got in touch with team Fitness First who is also the fitness partner of the event right in the middle of their

conversation about team strategy. They were pretty hyped to run and extremely eager as they waited for their colleague to come around and pass the baton to the next person.

Also present was the team of Mitsui and Co. With ultra-athlete and cyclist Olga Zolotova (OutdoorUAE, January 2016) participating with her colleagues as well.

She informed us that this was her team’s first ever experience in a relay race and it was pretty great for them to take part! After this short conversation, pictures ensued in front of the backdrop that Bloomberg arranged as a great way for runners to have a memory of the event.

Crossing the line first, after completing ten laps of the one-mile (1.6km) course, was team RPM with a time of 53:31 closely followed by GO FAST! with a time of 54:11.

Bond Consulting secured the third and final place on the podium with a time of 57:58. As RPM crossed the line, the rest of the team suddenly awoke to jovial screams knowing that they have taken the win on

the debut event of the Square Mile Relay here in Dubai. The finishers were lifted up by their comrades and the onlookers and other participants clapped their hands in joy as the winners have finally emerged. An hour or so later the race came to a close with Atoussa Mahmoudpour being the last finisher of the race. What was worthy of note is that Atoussa finished the race with the cheers of not only her colleagues but also of the other participants welcoming her in the finish line.

As she reached the last turn, her colleagues ran towards her and proceed to follow her crossing the line amidst the cheers of the other participants including the podium finishers. When asked about her reaction to this warm welcome at the end of the race she had this to say: “It was overwhelming, it was amazing, and it was actually helping me to run faster.”

Right after the race, the awarding ceremony came with all the participants enjoying the food and beverage at the Race Village where the awarding was also held. Taking the podium for being the Fastest Runner

Mitsui & Co. Ltd.

was Ismail Kelkharchi from team RPM with a record time of 4:42. He received various prizes from the sponsors such as a brand new TAG Heuer Formula 1 Automatic GMT, a weekend break Ritz-Carlton and 1 year subscription at Fitness First. Team RPM also won at the team level and received the winner’s trophy on stage and also a cheque for 30,000 AED to donate to their nominated charity. RPM Team Captain of the night, Abdullah Hassan said: “I would like to thank all of our team members, our team captain Mubarak, and a specia l thank you must go to the event organisers, we really enjoyed this amazing race, which was very well organised, and once again thank you Mubarak.”

Headline sponsor Bloomberg has supported the event since the first race in London in 2007. Also supporting the race in Dubai were official fitness partner, Fitness First Middle East; official radio partner Dubai Eye; official time-keeping partner TAG Heuer and official venue partner, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) who also participated in the race with with two teams from DIFC Authority – including members of the Senior Management. The Centre provided a spectacular location for the race, right in the heart of the Financial District of Dubai.

Raja Al Mazrouei, Senior Vice President – Marketing & Corporate Communications at DIFC Authority, commented: “Hosting the Bloomberg Square Mile Relay has reinforced DIFC as a destination for the community to not only advance their business objectives and engage with other professionals, but also to enjoy the fantastic infrastructure that the Centre has to offer. The race inspired strong teamwork and good natured

Team RPM - the winners of the race

Fitness First Dubai Financial Gate

Elevision

competition among some of Dubai’s largest corporations and financial institutions and we are proud to be the venue partner for such a highly regarded international event.”

After the Bloomberg Square Mile Relay race had finished, guests were then invited to join the official after-race party in the Olive Garden at The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC, with complimentary beverages and live music.

The Bloomberg Square Mile Relay baton will now pass to Sydney where participants will weave their way through the spectacular one-mile (1.6km) route around Darling Harbour. Seven cities across the world are now hosting this global race series, with Sydney being the most recent addition and more to be announced in the coming year.

EVENT REPORT

Words By: Toni Metcalfe Photos Supplied By: Toni Metcalfe and Wouter Kingma

Starting Line First of all, a little bit about me, and how my running journey began.

I am a stay-at-home mum and have three young children. After having my third child, my weight ballooned and I felt that I really needed to do something about it as it was affecting my life; I would get exhausted just jumping around the pool with my children and I knew things needed to change.

I had run the Dubai Marathon two years previously to tick a marathon off my bucket list. I didn’t run it in a great time or anything, but I had really enjoyed training for it and enjoyed running it, so my husband suggested that I start running again.

The first time I went out running again, I managed about 600m before I had to stop to take a breath, but I persevered with a mix of running and walking and managed around 2.5km. I continued to go out around three times a week for a while, and then I entered the 2015 Dubai Marathon. I bought a book on marathon running and followed a schedule that was in there in preparation. Then I got a phone call from Ruanda - an old friend.

She had heard I was running the Dubai Marathon and she encouraged me to join the Abu Dhabi Striders for a training run. I kept putting it off, thinking I wasn’t good enough or fast enough to join. I finally relented and joined one of their Saturday Yas Island runs as part of my preparation for the Abu Dhabi Striders Half Marathon and, ultimately, the Dubai Marathon. It was great fun, everyone was so friendly and even though I was trailing 20

OUTDOORUAE

behind at the back, I was never left on my own. I actually ended up running the Dubai marathon with a group of the Abu Dhabi Striders and ran an amazing and unexpectedly fast time of 3 hours and 48 minutes. It was then that I decided that it was time to take things to the next level, and I found the courage to sign up with a fantastic on-line running coach, Mile27.

Ready…

Fast forward one year, and running is now a massive part of my life. I have made so many amazing friends, and had so many fantastic experiences, and I have now delved into the dark world of ultra-marathon running; I would never have expected this! I completed my first ultra in the Lake District in the United Kingdom in December 2015, and it was an amazing adventure shared with a couple of my close Strider friends, Kevin and Chris. This brings me to the Wadi Bih Solo 72km last February, my first competitive ultra.

The Wadi Bih Solo 72 km is a wadi run which starts at the Golden Tulip Resort in Dibba, Oman and runs 36km through Wadi Khab Shamsi, climbing over 1,000m. The route then turns around and returns the same way all the way back completing 72km. I entered the Wadi Bih Solo 72 km with many

of my Abu Dhabi Striders friends, and had decided that this was going to be the first ultra-marathon race that I would give my complete best to, after my first year of focused training.

A mixture of excitement and nerves had me awake at 2:00 a.m., lying in silence, not wanting to wake my two friends with whom I was sharing the room. One of my roommates was also running the Solo 72km, and the other had come along to pace me the final 15km. My wakeup alarm went off at 3:45 a.m. and I was relieved to finally be able to get myself sorted and talk to my friends about my worries and excitement about what we were about to undertake. Whilst dressing, my mind was still racing. Should I wear this top? No stick to the original choice. Should I add more energy gels to my pack? Will I regret not wearing trail shoes? Okay, time to leave at last. As we stepped outside, the air was crisp and still and the lights from the pool gave a cool blue glow to the darkness.

I could hear the chatter of the other runners in the distance, and I could feel their nervous anticipation.

Set…

I made my way to the gathering of fellow runners, most with the same look of excitement and nerves on their faces. The Race Director called for our attention and he began to explain the route and where the check points were located. I was trying to concentrate on

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

what he was saying but his words were just a blur as my mind was still racing and my tummy doing somersaults. The Race Director finished his briefing and it was time to make our way to the start line. We all excitedly walked across the sand and then on to the red carpeted starting area, wishing each other luck and making encouraging comments to each other; it was a lovely friendly atmosphere.

Go!

I can’t remember anyone calling the race to start, but the sound of shuffling feet across the carpet confirmed that the race had started. I was absolutely determined not to get caught up in the adrenaline-fuelled fast start group, and kept my head down and didn’t pay any attention to who was ahead of me. The dim street lights lining the sleepy town of Dibba created a very atmospheric start with no more chatter, just the sound of race packs rubbing, water bottles sloshing and the rhythmic sound of feet hitting the tarmac. As we ran on, the street lighting and the road disappeared, and head torches were turned on, creating lots of little moving

spotlights lining the road. As we reached around 5km, I could see the outline of the rocks rising above either side forming the wadi. As we ran on, at around 7:00 a.m., the sun came up behind the mountain and the wadi views looked amazing; a surge of excitement hit me… wow.

As I continued, I was constantly worrying if my pace was too fast. Was I just running at this pace to stay with the other runners around me? To ease my anxiety, I popped

MARCH 2016 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

my earphones in to listen to music and decided to run by feel; to run at a pace that felt comfortable. So, I stuck with this thought and spent the next 25km just flitting to and fro in a pack of about six runners, whilst chatting and just having a nice time.

At 30km we hit the steep part of the course. I knew before I hit this leg-burner that there was no way I was going to even attempt to run it. As I approached the bottom, the two lead guys were running down making their way on the return journey, one of whom, Chad, is a friend of mine, so seeing him doing so well spurred me on. I power-hiked up the hill, arms swinging for momentum, for about 2km. I was making good progress, I felt strong and I was really enjoying the climb.

This was when I broke away from the pack that I had run with so far.

As I ran a little further the first female ran towards me and we shouted words of encouragement at each other. She told me that I was the third female; which was an incredible boost as I had no idea I was doing so well. As I kept running I saw other runners and friends and then the second female was approaching, we smiled at each other and high-fived as we passed. There was a fun

little descent to the turnaround checkpoint and I was greeted by the friendly marshals who kindly took my water bottles and refilled them while I took a stone out of my shoe and grabbed some more energy gels.

After the turn around there was a bit of a gradual climb before I reached the summit again and the views were amazing. It was pretty much downhill from there, but I tried to keep a level head and not let the amazing beauty of the mountains and the fact that I now had gravity on my side allow me become over-excited because I knew I would start running down too fast, and there was still a long way to go. I just kept repeating my “light on my feet, light on my feet” downhill mantra to myself, so that I wouldn’t burn my legs out on the steep descent. The whole way down was incredible. Other runners still on the ascent cheered and clapped, and seeing familiar faces and my good friends Ruanda and Kevin looking so strong was fantastic, and really kept my feet moving. I

22

OUTDOORUAE

really could not believe how strong I felt, even on the uphill undulations my legs felt so powerful and I kept my pace. This part of the race just flew past, I felt I had only been running for a short while, when in fact almost three hours had passed.

As the wadi opened out 14 km from the finish, the shade disappeared and the heat hit. That’s when I started to feel a little tired, and I had passed the checkpoint that my friend Helen was meant to be pacing me from. She wasn’t there yet, so I kept running knowing that I would surely see her soon. Further down the track there was a group of supporters who had a plate full of watermelon. This was just what I needed, it was sweet and juicy and cold… mmmmm… yum. I don’t think I have ever enjoyed a slice of watermelon quite so much! By the time I finished eating it (while still running) my pacer Helen was stood by the road side with a look of astonishment and stated “No offence, but I was not expecting you yet!” I had not yet

really looked at my watch, as I really wanted to run by feel. I had the time and distance displayed on my watch, but my maths is so terrible, especially while running; I really didn’t know what sort of time I would be predicted to finish in. So, finding out I would be back close to seven hours was another boost which got me through the next 8km. The last 4km was hard and I had to dig deep, using counting techniques and, my saviour, my iPod loaded with Eminem and Iggy Azalea (I am not usually a rap music kind of girl, but there is something about it that keeps the feet moving and the mind distracted). The fear of the fourth female (also a friend, Julia) being on my tail and taking third place from me certainly kept me going. I guess those are the times being competitive is really helpful. My biggest motivation in those last few kilometres was my friend and pacer Helen.

She was cooling me with water and encouraging me with supportive words and kind comments. I probably wasn’t the greatest company by this point, but knowing she was there kept me feeling happy and supported.

The last kilometre felt pretty great knowing that I was definitely going to complete this race, and in a very respectable time too, far better than I had expected. When my feet finally touched that red carpet, I was so excited that I even managed a little sprint across the finish line. I was so filled with happiness and excitement to have felt so strong throughout, and that all my hard work, discipline and training had paid off. It took me a total of 7hours 10mins 23seconds, and was placed Third Female, and Seventh overall. I was so overjoyed with the result and I really couldn’t wait to tell my children and husband who are always so supportive and so proud of me.

What an adventure and what a great day out. I cannot wait for my next ultra-marathon race…

SeaYou’s Non-Stop Action on the Water!

Words By: Sterenn Bourges Photos Supplied By: Basheer Al Salabi

SeaYou Watersport Series The SeaYou Watersport Series, an open Windsurf race, open to theRS 300 Class was held

by SeaYou. Phantom 295 boards fully rigged were available on site.

The racing area inside Palm Jumeirah was an amazing spot to host the race thanks to Nakheel’s support. The race was launched at 2:00 p.m. from Sofitel the Palm Resort & Spa’ s Beach in good wind conditions as it was a great windy day with around 20knots, which is not usual on Palm Jumeirah! Participants were from nine different countries; all the results have been registered on the Phantom 295 International rank system.

Makram Daouk, Bruno El Adm and Samir Tiriki were the first three to cross the line respectively and were awarded with trophies and medals and gifts from Starboard Apparel. An open buffet and drinks was offered for all the participants.

On the very same windy weekend, Mike White, a sailing instructor who is very active in the Middle East had also organized a Middle East Windsurf and Kitesurf Speed Challenge where all windsurfers and kite surfers anywhere in the GCC could partici-

DXBPaddling

On the 5th of March, DXBPaddling in partner with the Dubai International Boat show and operated by SeaYou, will aim to host

pate from their place by recording their GPS speed records on the Windsurf Arabia Facebook group and he expanded this idea to the Middle East Windsurf Light Wind Freestyle Competition which is open to all until April 10th 2016!

Windsurfing is becoming more and more popular in the GCC.! Windsurfing kit is available through SeaYou who are the exclusive dealer for StarBoard Windsurfing and Severne sails.

Next SeaYou Watersport Challenge will be back on April 29th 2016 at Palm Jebel

the largest open paddle race.

The race consists of a 14km long distance around the Palm Jumeirah which can be done alone or as a relay with two people on

Ali for SUP, windsurfing and dinghy races.

Stay tuned for more information on www.seayou.ae stand-up paddle boards, kayaks or surf skis.

The aim of the event is to unite all paddle sports in the UAE and rival the annual nautical SUP crossing in Paris, which is one of the largest SUP events in Europe.

Registration is officially open and interested participants can register at www.dxbpaddling.com Special thanks go out to Nakheel, ESSA and Dubai Sports Council for making this event a reality.

We also want to thank our sponsors ADNIC, COEGA, Natural Way Snacks, COYA Dubai, Wadi Adventure, Gold’s Gym, Palmers Middle East, OutdoorUAE and Sofitel, the Palm Resort & Spa for all their support.

OUTDOORUAE

23

TRAVEL + ADVENTURE

Part 2: Swarmed by Pirates, and Shot at by Yemeni Rebels

Words + Photos By: Will Pardoe

The Red Sea was calling.

Awaiting us beyond the Gulf of Aden’s wicked waters lay an oasis of Arabian culture and diving fantasy. To reach the reward, we would first have to sneak through the 800 miles of Pirate Alley. We were up for an adventure, but the adventure soon became a whole lot hairier than expected. It is one we will never forget...

The voyage toward the Gulf of Aden was the calm before the storm. We motored through the warm and windless days, over a sea so still that the horizon was lost in reflection of the sky. At night, the Milky Way blazed across the sky, so vividly I could perceive the spiral arms and central clusters.

Stars were reflected all around and joined with bioluminescence streaming from the

On the morning of that tenth day, a coalition destroyer came over the horizon and shadowed us for two hours, then made off back towards where he came. We had given our position to the UKMTO (Marine Trade Operations), who coordinate the anti-piracy actions of the coalition. “Just call us if you see anything suspicious” they’d said. At the appearance of the destroyer, my American captain turned to me, saying “How does it feel to have the might of your country watching over you? A helicopter gunship is just a phone-call away!” bow. Three dolphins circled, their bodies glimmering like angels and leaving us with trails of fairy dust disappearing into the deep. To fall into this magical fantasy and be left behind in such bliss almost felt appealing. But there was greater fantasy ahead.

Ten days out from the Maldives we were nearing Pirate Alley. And when the seas are calm, the pirates come out to play.

Escort Service

I was awoken the next morning by the sound of an approaching helicopter. I came on deck to find a Black Hawk circling low around us. Amazing - we didn’t even have to call!

“Sailing vessel, sailing vessel,” came the French accent over the radio. “Are you aware you are in a high-risk piracy area?”

“We are well aware of that!” said captain Zac. They continued to take our details, then, with a “bon voyage”, they flew off towards a navy ship sitting on the horizon. It wasn’t

Battle stations!

Pirates!

just the might of my country standing guard – we had all of NATO around us.

Later that day a long-range SAR aircraft flew overhead, circled, and flew on.

“I don’t know about you, but I’ve never felt safer!” said Zac, reclining in his chair.

He spoke too soon.

Surrounded by Skiffs!

A couple of hours after the fly-over, I saw two dhows appear on the horizon. Two is company, but at this stage I just assumed they were fishermen. After such a show of force, any pirate out here would have to be truly crazy or totally cavalier. In hindsight, though; just the right characteristics to make a pirate! To be honest I was happy to see these dhows – they remind me of home, and I was glad to be back in Arabia.

As we watched, however, there transpired

a sight I wasn’t so fond of: skiffs. This was quickly becoming a crowd, and one by one, the horizon showed its cards. I counted five skiffs through the binoculars, with three or four men in each boat. Their behaviour was weird and erratic, seeming to be playing the rouse of fishermen, but with movements that would catch no fish. They’d shoot off at speed, then stop, and be overtaken by the next, all in a line. There was no mistaking it – we were their fish, and they were moving to intercept. As we drew closer, so did they.

We called our buddies at UKMTO; backup would be good right now.

We had company, so it was time to break out the coffee. We stood on deck, brandishing AK-47s; we weren’t going to go quietly – especially with an American on board! The main pack were within a mile now, racing to cut us off ahead, while two skiffs and a dhow had broken away and were making straight for our position.

The MTO had said they would call back for an update in fifteen minutes, and, leaving Zac to hold the fort, I answered that call now. Three skiffs stopped beyond us, but we held our course. Twice we had evaded, and they had adjusted. The dhow

was approaching fast from starboard, and a skiff passed behind us. They were upon us now, and Zac was aiming on them, ready to fire. One passed right in front of the bow, and the middle man held up his hands; luckily for them.

It was surreal to have this playing out around us. We were being preyed on by a swarm of pirates, and it was no fantasy. I will say that it was living! But there were at least twenty of them, and they could overcome us before the cavalry arrived. Soon it would be time to start shooting.

Then came the final attack. The dhow was gunning for us at speed, T-bone style, with three men climbed out on the bowsprit, ready to board. At fifty meters, the guys could clearly see our AKs, and they retreated a little into the bows. At just a few boat-lengths, the captain too saw the black metal in our hands, and veered off past our stern.

We watched them steam off into the shipping lane, following the skiffs. Wow - did that just happen? The pirates had passed us up. We shared a look of disbelief and

OUTDOORUAE

25

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

MARCH 2016 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

Fleeing from Mordor

couldn’t help but laugh. We seemed to be in the clear, but it wasn’t yet over – the skiffs were lining up on their next victim: the cargo ship SC Mara behind us. The ship opened up their water cannons and started evasive turns. The hyenas were sizing up their next prey.

After harassing SC Mara (who broadcast that they had armed guards on board), the pack disappeared over the horizon towards the east-bound shipping lane. This whole episode unfolded over about an hour; some minutes much longer than others! It seemed we had been in the wrong place at the wrong time, and were just a target of opportunity; a couple of extra ransoms, with their main target being the tankers. I do think that having those weapons on board changed the game. Otherwise I don’t think you’d be reading this from me...

So, we continued on, with a sharper eye on the horizon. It was a calm and uneasy night on watch, knowing that pirates were close and could return in the darkness.

Steadily the winds rose, and with them the seas, until thirty-foot waves were heaving past. They picked us up, sending us surfing down their face, then slipping off their backs, fighting with the rudder to stay straight and not be broached on our side.

We were balancing the sails, the seas, and the wind on a knife’s edge, but were grateful for Poseidon’s protection against any more pirates.

French Somaliland

For the next three days we rode the monsters to Djibouti, finally dropping anchor behind a beautifully dry and dusty island.

Whew... we’d made it to Africa. It had been fourteen days since we’d left the Maldives.

We put on the Eagles and sat back with a well deserved drink and cigar, reminiscing of that crazy voyage.

The next morning we made our way into Djibouti public transport

the wide harbour city of Djibouti, coming to rest in amongst the anchored dhows, overshadowed by coalition frigates and cargo ships. Taking the dinghy in to shore to investigate, I was unnerved by what I found.

Djibouti is a French protectorate, called French Somaliland until 1967. This is the best way to describe it, and I did not feel welcomed. Luckily, I was adopted at the port by a little man named Rambo, and he became my faithful guide and selfproclaimed bodyguard. I wanted to feel what the place was like, so instead of taking a taxi, we walked into town.

My first impression was of the Qatt. Men lay about in groups, picking at stems and stuffing more leaves into their bulging cheeks. Some had tennis-ball sized wads in their mouths! We passed the Qatt stalls, where women in colourful garments sat with blankets covering their produce. I bought some for Rambo, at 12 AED a bundle. And hey – when in Rome...

Overall, Djibouti had a feeling of tension and animosity; bad eyes and bad attitudes.

It was hard to find good vibes to engage with. At one point I stopped to photograph an alley, which happened to have some men at the far end, sitting around a kettle behind some rubble. When they saw me, they shouted, angrily waving their arms for me to be gone. The Qatt didn’t do much to mellow out a day in Little Somalia.

Through the Bab al Mandeb

So the Gulf of Aden was behind us, but ahead still lay the Bab al Mandeb; the “Gate of Tears”. This is the 16-mile-wide squeeze point into the Red Sea, and another hotspot for piracy. Adding to this, the war in Yemen has spilled into the strategic islands of the area.

We set off in the morning from Djibouti,

timing our arrival so that we would slip through the Gate at midnight, making distance under cover of darkness. It was a windy and moonless night, with a sky full of stars. The waves rose until their crests were breaking, passing in a blaze of bioluminescence. All about us, star-blue spirits were surging towards the safe waters of the Red Sea. All was well until just before sunrise, when the winds picked up to 50 knots.

We needed to find shelter and wait out the storm. There was an island nearby, labelled “Jazirat Hanish al Kubra”, which the shipping lane was split between, so we headed there for cover. As we approached, the sun rose above the mountains of the island, and we found that the bay we were heading for was in fact the huge caldera of a freshly blown volcano. The island was black with ash and totally desolate. We had sailed into Mordor.

The wind blew fiercely into the caldera, so we continued along the coast in search of a more hospitable anchorage. In hindsight, I dread to think what could have played out if we’d dropped our hook here...

Qatt merchants

Water cannons firing from SC Mara

Saudi Coalition

Yemeni Rebels

About halfway down the island, we saw a flatbed truck following us along the beach.

There’s something on the back, but I can’t make out what. They pull parallel to us, and stop. A few moments later, we hear two great booms.

“Those were gun shots.”

Really guys... there’s no need for that.

We hear another volley, and there’s a great eruption of water as a round blasts into the sea beyond the truck. That’s a 50 calibre. Then we hear the tat-a-tat-tat of an AK-47, and a few more explosions from the 50 calibre. The shore is half a mile off, and a burst of water erupts within 100 yards of the boat, in line with the truck. ****! These are not warning shots – they’re aiming to hit us. We point our bow to the open sea and throw out the headsail. More shots ring out, but I don’t see them hit water – they’re somewhere in our airspace. The hair stands up on the back of my neck.

Getting shot at is very real. And they put a hole in my towel.

Saudi Coalition

We make distance from that forsaken island, watching behind in case we’re pursued.

Poseidon is with us again – these seas are too big for their boats. Before we’ve relaxed our guard, a navy ship appears on the horizon in front of us.

“This is a Saudi Coalition warship. You are in a prohibited military area. What is your reason for being here?” comes the young captain’s voice, in perfect English. Zac explains that we were seeking shelter from the storm, and need rest.

After a lengthy back-and-forth, discussing the formalities of our details, Zac asks permission to stop at an island group further north.

“Understand, captain, that this is an operational war-zone. For your own safety, we cannot let you stop here. Good luck with the seas.” says the Saudian, in all friendliness.

While Zac was talking with the navy, a helicopter gunship arrived and started doing circles around us - about as close as he could without clipping the mast with his rotors. After his screaming circles he comes

to a hover beside us, a few metres off the water, creating a local hurricane. Spray is whipped up and blown in our faces. I like this guy.

I see the gunner sitting at his cannon, wearing green fatigues, a big helmet and aviators - of course. I give him a friendly salute, and he returns it. The pilot has one hand hanging out of the window - and probably his foot on the dashboard, balancing his dokha pipe and joystick in the other. He takes off for a few more loops, while the gunner films us with a video camera, gesturing with his hand to apologise for the hurricane. No worries, my friend. We were basically in a hurricane anyway.

So having escaped pirates, dodged Yemeni bullets, and survived a brief stay in Little Somalia, Sudan beckoned to us as an oasis of peace from all this madness!

Mr. Rambo

OUTDOORUAE

27

TRAVEL + ADVENTURE

Thingvallavatn: Words By: Rasmus Ovesen Photos By: Rasmus Ovesen and Martin Ejler Olsen

The Take Is Brutal and Resolute – like an unexpected punch in the stomach. I’ve sent an obstinate cast into the howling onshore winds, and even though I haven’t quite stretched the leader, I’ve managed to reach the drastic and alluring drop off that runs along the lake’s volcanic shoreline – about 20 metres out.

Before I even get around to setting the hook the fly rod goes into a convulsive seizure and the fly line starts peeling off the reel.

It slashes through the crystalline water surface – through the agitated and foaming waves, and soon after it is accompanied by alarming amounts of fluorescent yellow backing.

The fly reel’s tormented snarl won’t come to an end…

Out of the corner of my eye I see the contours of an ominous creature catapulting itself into the air approximately 60 metres out. It towers briefly above the roaring waves and lands on its back in a collisionlike crash that sends sparkling droplets of water metre-high into the air - and shockwaves through my galloping heart.

Afterwards, the backing continues to peel though the guides of my dangerously arced 9” 6-weight fly rod, while I try to calm my thinly worn nerves.

When The Fish Finally Slows Down and comes to a halt, the fight enters a new phase. Instead of racing towards deeper water, it now thrashes about in the surface doggedly trying to eliminate the inexplicable pressure and drag. I desperately lean back on the fish until the cork handle creaks and after a long stint of tug-of-war, I slowly start gaining the upper hand. The fish comes closer to shore, I recover the fly line, and soon I get a short glimpse of the fish in the crashing waves – it’s a sight that sends shivers down my spine. The fish is big — really big!

Now, it’s all about keeping a constant pressure on the fish and remaining calm.

The fly seems to be lodged solidly in the fish’ jaws, but the razor-sharp volcanic cliffs and rocks along the shoreline are disturbing. If the fish decides to seek cover

under them, there’s no doubt it’ll be more than the cacophonically singing leader will endure. The fish isn’t tired out yet, but it doesn’t seem fully aware of the severity of the situation. At any rate, I succeed in bringing the fish close to the small point where our Icelandic guide has set up with the landing net.

When The Fish Capsizes in the surf and glides over the frame of the landing net, we can beach an ancient-looking warrior of a trout – a massive fish with a big cannibalistic head, a mighty tail blade, incalculable ink stain-like dots, golden flanks and big, staring eyes in front of flamboyantly metallic blue gill plates. The fish measures close to 93cm, and even though it isn’t quite as fat as most fish in the lake, it is probably close to 10 kilos. It is a veritable dream fish – one that makes my tense body bubble with euphoria and excitement.

My fishing buddy, Martin Ejler Olsen, who has followed the fight at close range, shoots a quick series of pictures with a smouldering and lead-heavy sky as a backdrop, and I quickly proceed to immerse the fish into the lake’s freezing cold water. Here, it re-orients itself, slaps its tail defiantly and disappears into the fading azure blue depts.

We’re At Thingvallavatn; a massive lake resting below towering snow-clad mountains, in an ancient bed of barren lava plains and mossy meadows. It is early June, but it is still bitterly cold. And sharp, howling Northern winds agitate the lake’s massive water surface sending chilly waves crashing onto the rocky shores.

We have four days of fly fishing to look forward to, and already now – after our first expectant day on the lake, we have landed five incredibly beautiful brown trout more than five kilos. We have hooked the fish close to the shoreline, where deeper water meets the shallows, and they have perplexed us with their elegant colourations, and compact builds. These are regular Ice Age brown trout that can straighten out hooks, burst leaders and empty reels of backing with their sheer power and determination. The fact that they can grow to stupendous sizes only ads to their legend - and making Thingvallavatn what it is: A Jurassic Lake with brown trout.

The Thingvallavatn Brown Trout are something truly unique. Their genetic makeup can be traced all the way back to England.

From here, sea-run brown trout from the last Ice Age migrated to the Icelandic coasts and ventured into different watersheds and rivers. One of these waterways led the fish into an area that later on – because of massive volcanic activity 12,000

years ago – became isolated from the ocean. What is now Lake Thingvallavatn’s southern end rose and dammed what had previously been a roaring river. The now land-locked sea-run brown trout showed no signs of unhappiness being isolated from England and their home rivers, though.

On the contrary, they quickly settled in the lake, and they grew in both size and numbers – even long after the first people found their way to the lake during the Age of the Vikings.

It wasn’t until a man-made dam in the lake’s southern end collapsed in 1959 that the unique brown trout stock suddenly started suffering. The spawning grounds, which were situated above the dam itself, ended up being destroyed as all the gravel was vacuumed and washed downstream.

In the following decades, the trout stocks declined dramatically, and they ultimately ended up being on the brink of extinction.

The unfortunate development wasn’t reversed until the end of the last millennium. A group of passionate volunteers systematically started to rehabilitate the lake’s brown trout stocks. They electrofished brood stock, and they succeeded in facilitating spawning activity in a handful of tributaries where the brown trout had never really spawned before. In 2000 progress was finally detected, and throughout the past 15 years, the Thingvallavatn brown trout have re-established and grown into a healthy population with strong genetics and sublime growth conditions. And as a result, the fishing in the lake is turning into quite the phenomenon!

The Average Size of the Thingvallavatn brown trout is around a solid 3.5 kilos, and fish in the vicinity of eight kilos are caught on a fairly regular basis. Fish of more than 10 kilos are caught every year, and the standing record so far is an impressive 102cm fish that was estimated at 17 kilos.

Lake Thingvallavatn’s brown trout are pure eating machines; chrome in appearance, broad and compact – and with ravenous appetites. They are among the most beautiful, well fed, and powerful trout in the world, and the key to understanding their impressive physique and growth rate is to examine the lake’s biomass and geothermic conditions.

First of all, Lake Thingvallavatn’s brown trout are mainly piscivorous – something that’s an obvious choice for them. There are four different sub-species of arctic char in the lake, all of which come in massive quantities, and together with the estimated 85 million sticklebacks, which flutter and swarm along the lake’s shores; the brown trout have access to a rich and high-protein food source.

Secondly, there are several places in the

Nils Jorgensen - 101cm brown trout from Thingvallavatn

lake, where the fish are capable of hypereffectively digesting whatever prey items they have just engulfed. Following their feeding sprees in the open water masses they simply head into one of the many geothermic areas, where tributaries and hot springs provide them with temperate water.

Here, their metabolism is way higher, and they can digest their food up to ten times faster. With this routine in place, it rarely takes very long before the fish are back on the prowl. And since the process continues throughout the year, the fish display unprecedented growth rates.

One last key to understanding why Lake Thingvallavatn’s brown trout grow so big is

that they can get quite old – up to 15 years, and that their spawning habits are somewhat special. While brown trout elsewhere in the world spawn every year, it’s not uncommon for Thignvallavatn brown trout to get so preoccupied with feeding that they simply “forget” to spawn. It’s rather normal for Thingvallavatn brown trout to skip spawning every other year, and spawning pauses of up to three to four years aren’t unusual either. Furthermore, the spawning runs and breaks are relatively short, and this means that spawning doesn’t toll too badly on the fish, and that the spawning-related break from the feeding-fest in the lake is short-lived.

The Fishing In The Lake is very diverse. On calm days, for instance, you can experience some incredibly exciting sight fishing with nymphs and dry flies. In the mouths of some of the tributaries you can fish like in a river using cross current presentation, line mends, and strike-indicators. And when the wind is howling – which is does annoyingly often in Iceland – you can blind fish with streamers. It’s a rather arduous type of fishing, where you systematically search the shoreline for schools of fish with small, rapidly retrieved stickleback - and arctic char imitations – but it can produce some real monsters.

Access to the lake can be a little bit

tricky since most of the shoreline is privately owned and there’s a significant lack of public roads. There is public access to the lake in the northern end – in the Thingvellir National Park. Fishing licenses for the national park can be bought via the national fishing license provider Veidikortid. (www.veidikotid.is), and especially during spring and early summer, the fishing can be good.

The lake’s best fishing is without a doubt found on two beats managed by ION Fishing. Þorsteinsvík and Ölfusvatnsárósare the breakneck names of these two beats, and here you can experience what is probably the best brown trout fishing in the world.

Because of stable water temperatures and closeness to deep water, the fishing is superb here - right from the season opening on the 20th of April until the season closing on September 15th.

In total, four rods are available per day on a “fly only” and catch and release basis, and they are being sold for 300 Euros per rod (www.ionfishing.is).

Turbulent Endings

Hoarse winds seem to be forever sweeping the barren and twisted lava landscapes of Iceland. But as we round up the fishing at the ION Beats, the winds have picked up immensely – to the point of a raging storm.

For the last two days massive, foaming waves pound the gritty lava shores of ION Beat I and II, and we struggle to even land a fly on the water. The fish are out there – we can see them boiling on the crashing waves, but they’re too far out.

We’re close to giving up, but as fate will have it, we’re lucky enough to be given one final window of opportunity. On our very last day, the winds unexpectedly die down and shift direction. The small, secluded bay that we’ve been fishing at Beat I calms down to the point that we can actually cast, and a giant school of brown trout ranging from two to

eight kilos is suddenly within reach. A magical hour later, we have hooked and landed more fish than we can count. And while the real monsters that we’ve seen boiling in the waves earlier in the day elude us, we have caught more than a handful of fish that would make most brown trout fishermen anywhere morbidly jealous.

As we pack up and leave, I’m swamped by ambiguous feelings. On the one hand, we’ve just experienced the best brown trout fishing of our lives. On the other hand, there’s this unlikely sense that we’ve only just scratched the surface: that Lake Thingvallavatn is capable of so much more. One week after returning, my gut feeling is confirmed. An Icelandic friend of mine has just experienced the ION Beats at their best – on a calm, ambient and temperate evening. Having landed numerous three to eight kilo fish topped by three incredibly well-built monster brown trout measuring 90, 95 and 101cm, he has

FACT FILE Thingvallavatn:

Thingvallavatn is situated half an hour’s drive from Reykjavik, and it is Iceland’s largest lake in both size and volume - with an area of 84km2 and water depths of up to 115 metres. The Thingvellir National Park is situated in the northern corner of the lake, and it encompasses the historic site, where the Icelandic parliament, Altinget, was formed back in 1930. The National Park is also the home of Silfra, a deep and fascinating fault line caused by tectonic plate movements, as well as Öxará, which is one of the main spawning grounds for the Thingvallavatn brown trout.

Thingvallavatn is somewhat of a geological phenomenon in that it is situated right where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet. For this reason, there has been a lot of tectonic and volcanic activity in the area – something that has clearly marked and shaped the lake’s chaotic topography and surroundings. The lake is fed by rainwater. This water is filtered through the porous lava substratum and it slowly seeps into the lake, nutrient-rich and crystal clear. 90% of the lake’s water reserves are subaqueous, and as a result, the lake is fed by thousands of springs, which in turn cause the water temperatures to be quite stable – 3-4 degrees throughout the year.

Transportation/Logistics/Lodging

The main airport in Iceland, Keflavik, is well-connected to the rest of the world, and depending on the season and time of departure, Icelandair (www.icelandair.com) offers plane tickets at around 150 – 300 euros.

The transportation to the lake takes about one hour from the airport, and a 4WD car isn’t necessary.

There are several options when it comes to accommodation, but if you’re planning

The ION Hotel

probably experienced the best brown trout fishing any fly fisher will ever experience.

I’m still a little shaken by my experiences at Lake Thingvallavatn. And as I write this, I’m confronted with a lot of the questions that spun through my head as I boarded my plane in Reykjavik, left Iceland behind, and flew home. I particularly wondered if there was anywhere to go as a brown trout fisherman after having fished Iceland’s Jurassic Lake. As I conclude my writings, I’m more and more certain that the answer is “Yes, I can go back to Thingvallavatn!” to fish the ION beats, the comfortable ION Hotel (http://ioniceland.is) is the most obvious choice.

The Gear

The gear that is typically used in Lake Thingvallavatn is fairly stout - and with good reason! First of all, the weather is usually quite windy. Secondly, there’s quite a good chance of running into fish of frightening proportions, and thirdly the Thingvallavatn brown trout fight as if they were on a cocktail of steroids and speed.

When streamer fishing, a 9.6” #8 fly rod with a floating - or intermediate fly line and a 4-5 meter long 0.35mm fluorocarbon leader is suitable. The flies, that are most frequently used, are typically quite bulky, eye-catching weighted streamers in different sizes - from #4 – 2/0. The local favourites are streamers such as Black Ghost Zonker, Super Tinsel, White Nobbler and Black Brahan – and they are all flies that can imitate the sticklebacks and arctic char in the lake.

When it comes to the incredible dry flyand nymph fishing on the lake’s ION Beats, a delicate and subtle presentation is often crucial. As a result the gear usually consists of a fairly compliant 9” 5/6-weight rod, a fly reel with a minimum of 300 metres of backing, a floating WF fly line, a 5-6 metre long leader with a 0.16-0.22mm tippet and small #12-18 nymphs and dry flies. It goes without saying that hooking into giant brown trout with such delicate gear involves some serious challenges. Oftentimes it simply results in spooled fly reels, straightened hooks, torn leaders, and broken hearts. The occasional lost fish, however, is a price a lot of fly fishermen are willing to pay to be able to sight cast to wild brown trout ranging from 5-10 kilos. Where else in the world is that even possible?

E H T E V A BR S T S I W T WILDEST gs n i W r u o Y n #Ear

FLYING ACES IS READY FOR TAKE OFF! Our new, record-breaking rollercoaster is inspired by an epic story and simulates a real biplane flight with the world’s tallest loop, the steepest lift climb, hair-raising speeds and a whole lot of incredible twists and turns. Are you ready to fly?

BOOK YOUR TICKETS TODAY! Ferrariworldabudhabi.com

TRAVEL + ADVENTURE

Nomad’s Road: Overlanders for Life Episode 2: First Step into the Arabic Peninsula Words By: Grég Trastour Photos By: Grég, Magali, Natasha and Anastasia Trastour

After visiting Iran for a month, we have crossed the Strait of Hormuz from Bandar Abbas to Sharjah. As every tourist and traveller visiting the United Arab Emirates, we focused on huge malls, extravagant buildings and nice cars but after a few weeks of visiting the city centres of Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, we have decided to follow the advices of locals and expatriates and go deeper into the country to discover some quiet and amazing places made by humans and nature.

After landing in Sharjah, we spotted some nice places on the beach not far from the cities to allow us to visit them; not many are remaining, so every traveller like us meet together in these rare places like Palace Beach in Dubai in front of the Palm Jumeirah, Kitesurf Beach on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi and Al Khan Beach in Sharjah which was still public at the time we were there. We have been really amazed by the architecture of the buildings and the

32

OUTDOORUAE

luxuries all around the emirates. We have spent a few days to explore these cities and their huge malls and fantastic towers like the Burj Khalifa and Burj Al-Arab as well as dozens of other buildings with eccentric shapes that sometimes defy the laws of gravity. We have also visited the magnificent Emirates Palace, beautifully decorated for the Christmas time as well as the sumptuous and unforgettable Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

These visits was nice but not really usual for us as we normally live in nature, so we decide to explore the wild parts of UAE

following the knowledge of the Emirati people and other adventurous expatriates.

We have started this nature tour of the UAE by the east coast from north to south.

We followed the E99 road and seen a lot of beaches where local people love to picnic and camp; like the Al Fiquet Family Beach in Dibba or Al Aqah Beach. There was not many to see except the coastline, but we have done a few stops to see an old and interesting mosque, the Al Badiyah Mosque built around the 15th century. We spent a few days around Fujairah to bivouac and enjoy the beaches before going not far from

the border of Oman to discover the more interesting landscape of Hatta located in the middle of the rugged landscape of Hajar Mountains.

On way back to the west coast, we joined a family to go wild with them and discovered Dalma Island which is located offshore not far from Saudi Arabian border.

After taking the ferry, we have found a nice place to stay a few days and enjoy nature and camping. There was not so much to do except relaxing, swimming and fishing exactly what you need when you travel for a long time like us, a nice break on a quiet island. One night we were able to observe stars and see the bright halo from Doha in Qatar.

On our way back to Abu Dhabi, we made a stop to an amazing place where the elements has carved the sand and created beautiful sculptures on a huge area, the colours and shapes are stunning. A really nice spot and a must do in the UAE. We have also been to another interesting spot named Al Qudra Lakes, a place made and organized by humans where everybody can enjoy camping and picnic and where we were able to do some bird watching to observe some nice species like flamingoes, ducks and avocets. At dusk we had the

chance to see few a Arabian gazelles coming to drink and on the way back to Dubai we were really surprised to see three giraffes along the highway!

One of the best moments we have spent in the UAE was the big meeting of travellers on Palace Beach in Dubai to celebrate the New Year’s Eve, enjoy and observe with hundreds of local peoples the most spectacular fireworks we have ever seen in our life.

All along this journey in the UAE, we have been welcomed by a lot of Emiratis and expatriates with whom we have shared a few meals and tested different specialties of Arabic’s countries.

Unfortunately, because of some problems on our old Toyota Land Cruiser we have not been able to go for a ride in the huge and beautiful dunes of Liwa. This place will be on our programme for the next visit to the UAE if we come back to the Arabian Peninsula.

Our next destination on our 12 years trip by road around the world will be the Sultanate of Oman to discover a totally different landscape as well as wadis and forts. You can follow our everyday adventure on our Nomads Road Facebook page as we update on the way as often as we can.

The Trastours is a family that has been overlanding the planet for as long as they can remember! Made up of Greg and Magali as well as their daughters Natasha and Anastasia, The Trastours is a family filled to the brim with an unstoppable sense of adventure for the ultimate goal – to explore the world.

You can check out their next stop at www.nomadsroad.com or look for Nomads Road on Facebook and Twitter.

OUTDOORUAE

33

LIFESTYLE

Outdoor Flicks

Film: Point Break (2015) Director: Ericson Core Starring: Edgar Ramirez, Luke Bracey and Teresa Palmer

The Point of No Return Words By: Keith Pereña Photos Supplied By: Warner Bros. Pictures

Despite its surreal portrayal of the outdoors, one cannot help but notice that the 2015 remake of Point Break was in a way a good showcase of leaders in the field.

I say this because majority of the activities that were shown in the film to be portrayed

by Luke Bracey and Edgar Ramirez were in fact executed by popular figures such as Chris Sharma, Laird Hamilton, Xavier de la Rue and many more of the world’s best rock climbers, motocross riders, wing suit pilots, snowboarders and big wave surfers. The rate at which Core employed legends on the field shows the film’s dedication towards accuracy.

The film doesn’t have much going to it storywise – the plot is a bit predictable and Edgar Ramirez’s appearance screams “bad guy” from a thousand miles away. But don’t get me wrong, the film is still a joy to watch and in order to fully enjoy it, one must first disregard the entire plot of cops and robbers and instead focus on the sceneries

that Ericson and his crew has masterfully shown. From the waves of Tahiti’s Teahupo’o to Angel Falls in Venezuela, the team did their homework when they did their research on the most extreme outdoor locations on the planet. This visual glamour takes so much prominence that resonating with co-producer Andrew Kosove’s statement that the movie “was more of an expedition rather than a production” has so much truth in it.

Having discussed the casting, cinematography and the writing, what Point Break lacks in story it makes up for in visual flair. Some may say that the film could just be a pretty face but in fact, the visuals tell a story of how it feels to experience these marvellous locations. The film certainly appears to be more of a travel brochure with adrenaline added in – which is of course what the nature of the outdoors is – to induce adrenaline. This rush is then delivered to the audience which results in a different way of telling the story.

At the end of it all, Point Break is still an enjoyable film. Yes, the plot is very

predictable but that only serves to the film’s benefit. Because as what was mentioned earlier, the film draws power from its visual presentation of unique outdoor locations and the people doing them. It could have been a different film altogether if they just used the outdoorsmen rather than the celebrities, but that is something that is a bit of a throwaway. But they still do most of the activities in the film and I think that’s closer to what we want so our recommendation?

Watch it and be wowed.

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

MARCH 2016 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

Habitually healthy The Humble Sweet Potato Words + Recipe By: Chef Patrick Ikinofo

Hey guys, welcome back for another culinary session, this month is all about sweet potatoes.

Just a quick update from down at the bistro, we have started our new menu and so far have had a lot of positive feedback so I would like to thank you all for that. If you haven’t had a chance to come on down yet for a sample, then be sure you do.

We are also in the process to launch our delivery business so you don’t have to leave the comfort of your home to enjoy our delicious offerings, stay tuned. Back to the humble sweet potato - the sweet potato’s biggest claim to fame is vitamin A, but in fact this isn’t such a big deal, because the vitamin A in sweet potatoes is locked up in plant form called beta-carotene, which is only inefficiently converted to true vitamin A. Better sources of vitamin A include meat especially liver and eggs.

What’s more impressive about sweet potatoes is their high content of other nutrients. They’re full of Vitamin C, B3, B5, and B6, manganese, potassium, and copper; they’re also high in fibre. Most people have no need to worry about this, but anyone following the autoimmune protocol should also know that sweet potatoes are completely okay because they’re botanically unrelated to white potatoes (which are out on the autoimmune protocol because they’re nightshades).

The various colours of sweet potatoes also indicate the variety of antioxidants they contain. The orange ones get their colour from the beta-carotene, but the purple kind have a different type of antioxidants called anthocyanins. Unlike other anthocyanin-containing foods, like eggplant or blueberries, sweet potatoes have these antioxidants in the flesh as well as the skin, so they’re a much more concentrated source.

As usual with nutrient-dense foods, you’ll get the most out of all this good stuff if you eat your sweet potatoes with some fat: this helps you absorb the fat-soluble vitamins, and also makes the drier varieties a lot tastier.

Hence the reason why this awesome food features so heavily amongst all the menus I create. For this menu, I’ve created a satisfying sweet potato and smoked fish hash cake with orange and cayenne pepper hollandaise, poached eggs and tarragon.

Although the sauce is quite difficult to make I’ve put in a simple way for you to do it at home without too much of a hitch to mess it up.

Sweet Potato and Smoked Fish Hash Cake Ingredients • 1 large sweet potato (preferably orange flesh) • Smoked white fish • Tarragon • Salt and pepper

Procedure Clean your potato and roast it whole, once it is cooked scoop out the centre and combine this with the smoked fish.

Season with salt and pepper and cool, once chilled add chopped tarragon and form into desired sizes. Seal them up in a hot pan with a lot of extra virgin olive to a get a nice, golden brown colour.

Orange and Cayenne Hollandaise

Ingredients • 6 egg yolks • 500gm ghee • White vinegar • Zest of one large orange • Half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper Procedure In a blender, whizz your egg yolks and a splash of vinegar. Melt down your ghee making sure that it isn’t too hot as it will cause your sauce to split; room temperature is best. Whilst the eggs are blending away, slowly drizzle in your ghee. You will start to see your sauce begin to thicken. Add a dash of water if it becomes too thick. Once the sauce is done, remove from the blender and season with salt, pepper, orange zest and your cayenne. Balance out your flavours of the sauce to compliment your hash cakes.

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

OUTDOORUAE

35

Natural History LIFESTYLE

Mangrove Forests Words + Photos By: Dan Wright

Mangroves (Rhizophora mangle) are extensive tree colonies that grow in saline (salt) water in the topics and sub-tropics. In the UAE they are intertidal which means that the sea either fills them up or empties out according to the tide. At low tide there are extensive mud flats and at high water everything is covered over.

A plant that can live in salt water is called a halophyte. They have a complex internal filtration system to cope with the salt and a very complex root system to cope with the wave action.

Interesting note: One village in Southeast Asia notably escaped all harm from the Green Turtle at Khor Kalba

Mangroves live in salt water

tsunami in 2005 despite being a low lying coastal village and everything on either side of it was destroyed. This was because the villagers several years earlier had planted a mangrove forest of 80,000 trees for a 1km strip between it and the sea. When the Tsunami struck the coastline the mangrove forest acted as a defensive wall and the village was almost unharmed (although flooding did of course occur, nobody died).

Mangroves are important habitats for a lot of wildlife including:

• Crabs • Fish • Leatherback/green turtles • Lemon sharks (Caribbean only) • Kingfishers (White collared kingfisher in Oman and Kalba Mangrove forests are the only two nesting sites in the world of this highly endangered bird).

• Fish Eagle • Ibis • Egret • Heron (striated, pond and grey) • Waders • Red Wattled Lapwings And of course lots more species! It is a paradise for both bird watchers and wildlife enthusiasts.

Mangroves are great protectors of the environment too. They break down pollution and just 1 square hectare can neutralize 17 metric tons of carbon a year and reabsorb it back into the plants.

A mature mangrove forest with extensive, interlocking roots also acts as a sediment trap which helps to build up coastlines and prevent erosion from tidal actions such as long shore drift.

There are four main types of mangrove (but many sub-species) and here are some of the common but unsustainable practices for them (this means that the rate at which they are cut down for this purpose cannot

Khor Kalba Mangroves is also a protected Ramsar site

be offset by planting new trees – due to how long they take to grow): 1. Black Mangrove – Fishing poles, charcoal (carbon rich due to the amount of carbon they neutralize and store from the pollutants in the air). Also used for bee colonies to produce honey due to their mango colored blossoms that gives the honey a clear golden yellow color.

2. Red Mangrove – Also used for wood but its most common use is as a dye for the leather tanning industry. The inner bark is peeled and the tannic acid washed out and used for red dye.

3. White Mangrove – Fishing poles, tool handles and wooden fences 4. Grey Mangrove – Very water resistant wood and insect resistant so excellent for building dhows and small fishing vessels and for roof beams for houses.

Intertangled Mangrove roots give stability

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

MARCH 2016 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

The UAE is mostly made up of native grey mangrove and some other introduced colonies and it occurs in intertidal areas.

There are around 3,000 hectares of mangroves in the UAE of which 2,300 are in Abu Dhabi. Of all the coastlines in the world with tropical vegetation, mangroves account for nearly a quarter of all vegetation.

The mangrove forests in the UAE were used historically and commercially as a safe breeding ground for various edible sea creatures such as: • Shrimp • Snapper • Sea Bream

They are also a safe haven for nesting and migratory birds to raise their young or to load up on food for long flights. In Abu Dhabi you can commonly see flights of flamingoes enroute to their nesting grounds.

Migratory birds of prey moving from the Russian steppes to Africa for the winter will stop and fatten up on easy prey like crabs in the mud flats.

Mangroves are also very popular with tourists especially: • Sea kayakers • Sit-on-top kayakers • Stand-Up Paddleboarders • Canoeists

This is because the intertidal waters are very calm (although can have strong currents when the tide is moving in or out), they are full of interesting wildlife to watch both in and out of the water. They are not too deep and they are easily accessible, often roads and waterfront parks run alongside them.

Traditional sources of food and medicine

Herons at Khor Kalba Mangrove Forest low tide

from mangroves include; medicines for sore mouths, a fortified wine brewed from mangrove fruit and eating the seeds during times of famine.

Mangroves in the UAE and worldwide are increasingly becoming protected areas, like Ramsar sites and with good reason.

Human settlement encroaches on forest land to make way for hotels and beach resorts, however this in turn weakens the shoreline making it more prone to erosion.

For years people were have begun to realize the detrimental effect that man has had on Mangrove forests. An ecologist named Watson as far back as 1929 said: “Traditionally people have used mangroves for the benefit of the local communities, but increasing populations have led to an increasing, non-sustainable use of these natural resources.”

If you do go into a mangrove forest it is important to check the tide times and best to only go in for an hour on either side of high tide otherwise you may find yourself pulling your kayak through thick mud if you get the timings wrong. It is also best not to get into the water and stand as this breaks down the young shoots and collapses crab holes etc.

The mangrove can be very sharp underwater as barnacles and other crustaceans will attach themselves so walking around in thick vegetation can be pretty painful! If you do want to go in then tell someone where you are and take a partner (preferably two boats for rescue). Take some supplies in a dry-bag and don’t try to force your way into thick undergrowth as it is both disturbing to wildlife and easy to get lost.

Items to take with you should include:

• A whistle • Mobile phone (in waterproof case) • First aid kit • Food • Fresh water • Head torch

Tide line shows scum of dirt and rubbish

Mangrove saplings at low tide with marine crustaceans

Make sure you wear closed shoes like trainers or water shoes in case you do fall in!

As always be respectful of the environment and go to observe but not to destroy anything. Remember that some mangrove forests are protected areas that you can’t enter so it is a good idea to book and go with an established company who knows their way around and the interesting sights to see.

Dan Wright is a freelance Wilderness Guide in the UAE and Asia. 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. They live in Dubai with their son Percy and spend all their spare time exploring the UAE!

OUTDOORUAE Canoing with waterproof bag of emergency kit

37

T R&I E D

TESTED ODUC THIS PR

OV T IS APPR

TDOO ED BY OU

RUAE

Our first contact with the new Suzuki Vitara Words + Photos By: Daniel Birkhofer

Suzuki is certainly one of the car brands which invented the small SUV. The Vitara has a long history since 1988, much longer than some of the brand new models from other manufactures and Suzuki benefits from these decades of experience.

The new Vitara looks sportier than the previous model and reminds me a bit of the expensive Ranger Rover Evoque which is almost three times the Vitara’s price. With the Vitara, Suzuki follows the trend for small crossover SUVs rather than small off-roaders.

The Vitara available in the UAE has only one engine package - the 1.6L, 4-cylinder (118HP) with 6-speed automatic transmission and either 2-wheel or permanent four-wheel drive. The car is loaded with many great standard features like cruise control, Bluetooth handsfree, automatic air conditioning, automatic LED head lights, power mirrors and windows, keyless entry, parking sensors, MP3 radio with USB, leather seats and much more.

Combining value, style, safety and versatility in a good-looking package at a great price,

38

OUTDOORUAE

Suzuki will certainly take a big market share of the growing market of small SUVs while people in the UAE start looking at fuel efficiency and value for money.

Driving the car in the city is great, you have all the comfort and features you would not expect from a car at this price and the car’s fuel efficiency is great and yet the car is agile and fun to drive especially if switched into sports mode (0-100km/h in 13sec). The relatively small engine compared to popular big engines in this market provides enough power for the weight of the car. Lightweight build and efficient powertrains make the Suzuki Vitara one of the most economical car in the crossover class. We drove at a cost of 10 AED/100km (approx 7L/100km) which can certainly be reduced with a more conservative driving style. With the 47L tank you should be able to reach 650km.

The car lost a bit of its off-road heritage towards a more versatile use. For going into the sand you should switch into the Snow mode which is designed for more slippery ground (for this market it should be called Sand). Despite the SUV’s great cosmopolitan look, the car did surprisingly good in sand, this is where you can feel its heritage from

the previous models. Actually the biggest limitation off-road is not the small sized engine; it is the ground clearance and the alloy sport wheels. I am sure if the car is lifted and equipped with off-road tyres, it would do exceptionally well in the dunes due to its light weight. So if you are only planning to go for a desert BBQ or to the beach, the new Vitara will certainly get you there and back.

The boot space of 375 litres (increasing to 1,120 litres with the rear seats folded) is also enough to take all your gear out in the mountains, desert or to the beach.

The Vitara is a great choice in the class of small crossover SUVs with a very nice an appealing new fancy look as well as loaded with a lot of standard features.

The Suzuki Vitara is available at Suzuki Showrooms, Al Rostamani Trading Company in three options: GLX 2WD 67,000 AED GLX 4WD AllGrip 72,000 AED GLX+ 4WD AllGrip 81,000 AED (Panoramic sunroof, navigations system)

1- 5

dubai i n te r n at ion a l b o a t s h ow

march 2016 Dubai International Marine Club Mina Seyahi

12 speakers and more than two-hours worth of extensive watersport knowledge everyday

Premiere of the 41.5m Yacht SF40

by Mondo Marine

Marine Talks at the Dubai International Boat Show March 1-5, Dubai International Marine Club, Mina Seyahi, Stand #: SW-14 Catch the talks live from 7:00-8:00 PM, at the Watersport, Fishing and Sailing area of the Boat Show

Witness underwater life with the submersible C-Explorer 3 by U-Boat!

Nico de Corato Slava Noor

Luca Savastano

Kit Belen

Jake Lyle

Be amazed by the Limited Edition Quadrofoil watercraft Q2S! Alessandro de Rubertis

Alex Boulting

Jen Scully

Boyet Mallari

Award Winning Axopar I28 makes it’s Middle Eastern debut A premium motorboat distributed by Fast Marine Boats

Jamie Freeman

P L U S : A M A Z I N G WDan A TWright E R S P O R Steven T S S Bennett TUNTS • FREE FISHING & TRIPS UNDERWATER PHOTO COMPETITION • LIVE MARINE TALKS A N D M Brought U C Hto you M by: ORE...

Outdoor Adventure Partner facebook.com/DubaiBoatShow

ORGANISED BY

VENUE

SUPPORTING MARITIME AUTHORITY

SUPPORTING PARTNERS

linkd.in/1ahjZyM

OFFICIAL VIP MAJLIS SPONSOR

twitter.com/dubaiboat

OFFICIAL CAR

OFFICIAL HOTEL PARTNER

instagram.com/dibshow

OFFICIAL MAGAZINE

OFFICIAL AIRLINE PARTNER

youtube.com/user/DubaiBoatShow

OFFICIAL PUBLISHER

OFFICIAL COURIER HANDLER

OFFICIAL TRAVEL PARTNER

#DIBSMarineTalks #OutdoorUAEMarineTalks www.OutdoorUAE.com

Facebook.com/OutdoorUAE

Twitter.com/OutdoorUAE

Open 3:00pm - 9:30pm daily Public Ticket AED60

Instagram.com/OutdoorUAE

BOATSHOWDUBAI.COM

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

MARCH 2016 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

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

POLAR V650 GPS Bike Computer

Sponser Recovery Drink

Available at GO Sport Mall of Emirates and Dubai Mall, Adventure HQ stores and Beyond Fitness

Available at Hercules Health & Fitness and selected sports outlets

The Polar V650 is a GPS bike computer made for serious cyclists. Get the detailed data and guidance you need to make the most of your training.

SPONSER Recovery Drink is a fruity carbohydrate-protein drink free of lactose for a normal restoration (recovery) after physical exercises. Contains short and long chain carbohydrates for energy supply.

1,250 AED

Features: • Customizable Profiles • Award-winning Design: Stylish exterior has been awarded the Red Dot Design Award.

Clever details, like the front LED light that turns on automatically in low-light conditions, complete the package.

• 2.8” Colour Touch Screen: V650 tracks all the essential data from your cycling sensors on a big, bright colour touch screen.

• GPS & Maps: Equipped with a fast and reliable GPS chip that keeps track of your ride from beginning to end.

OpenStreetMap support keeps you on the map wherever you go.

• Barometer with Real-time VAM: A barometric altimeter keeps track of altitude, ascents and descents. Real time VAM, average ascent speed, shows how many vertical meters you climb per hour (requires additional speed sensor).

• Sensor Compatibility: Compatible with Polar Bluetooth® Smart heart rate and cycling sensors.

Features: • Based on casein and whey protein hydrolysate.

• Whey protein isolate from cross flow microfiltration provides concentrated, natural proteins with high-quality co-factors (25% BCAA).

• Enriched with the free amino acids leucine (1.85 g/100 g) and glutamine (1.6 g/100 g).

• Enriched with the soluble dietary fibres inulin.

• Wide spectrum of effects: energy, construction and preservation • Preparation with water • Complete vitamins spectrum • Without artificial sweeteners

Silverback SLIDER 2

Silverback SCALINI

11,599 AED/QAR

14,999 AED/QAR

Available at select GO Sport stores

Available at select GO Sport stores

The Slider platform is a high performance, alloy trail machine that features 140mm front, and 135mm rear suspension travel for aggressive riding. IDS Revo suspension technology is used on this mountain bike model, resulting in a stiff and predictable suspension feel with great pedalling stability. The 275 size wheel with large volume tyres works perfectly for aggressive trail riding, offering a great balance of grip, stiffness and agility.

The Scalini is the latest addition of Silverback in the road category. This bike has a performance setup for time trial and triathlon use. Aerodynamic tubing, seat post and cockpit parts help the rider cut through the air, and together with the padded, split, Time Trial specific saddle, ensures that it can be as comfortable and healthy as possible. The aerodynamic carbon seat post features a long sliding connecting point, helping the rider to find the best saddle position for their event.

GO Sport Exclusive

Technical Specifications: Frame: Hydroformed 6061 Alloy Custom Butted Tubing Fork: Rock Shox Sektor Gold RL, 140mm, Solo Air Shock: Fox Float DPS, 135mm Travel Gear System: Shimano Deore/ XT 2x10 speed Weight: 13.46kg

40

20 AED

OUTDOORUAE

GO Sport Exclusive

Technical Specifications: Frame and Fork: Silverback Aero Applied Science Carbon Gear System: Shimano Ultegra/Dura Ace Wheelset: Fulcrum Quattro Tri Bars: Zipp Vuka Saddle: ISM LS Weight: 8.18kg

T R&I E D

TESTED ODUC THIS PR

OV T IS APPR

TDOO ED BY OU

RUAE

Words By: Nick Watson Photos By: Nick Watson and Carl Bailey

The 2XU Compression Recovery Tights are an essential piece of equipment for any individual in need of muscle recovery or serious muscle support. Extra powerful fabric and compression enhances blood flow for faster recovery and with a marathon and Ironman 70.3 to contend with in the same month, actually only one week apart, it’s no wonder the 2XU team at Sport In Life Distribution recommended that I use them.

On 22 January Rio and I completed the Dubai Marathon and then on the 29th we finished the Ironman 70.3 triathlon (all 6 hours 12 minutes of it). Before the events I was asked the same two questions by numerous people: 1. Why would I want to do a marathon with Rio and then the 70.3 a few days later?

2. What did I do in terms of preparation, fuelling and recovery to be able to complete both races injury free, especially with all the other races I had planned with Rio? These two weekends were the epic of races for me this race season, especially being back to back. They loomed nagging me in my conscious since September 2015 when I was planning my race schedule. Injury always worried me as I still had many other races to do with Rio. However, my biggest and most shameful confession in all this is that although I had run many marathons and ultra distances previously, I was not really prepared for the distance of the marathon this time round. I

had not run further than 21km in a session, but I am stubborn. Delphine, my wife, often tells me that I am more stubborn than bright.

I am mentally strong, so I wanted to do it - it was going to be. A bit like George Mallory’s quote when asked why he wanted to climb Mount Everest he said, “Because it’s there” Well, I saw two great races there in front of me on the race calendar and they were yelling out, “Race Me!” What was a man supposed to do?

The guys at 2XU recommended that I use their recovery compression tights in preparation and for recovery for both races. I was advised to wear them a couple of nights before the race (as in sleep in them) and then wear them immediately after the race, including sleeping in them for a further two nights to aid faster recovery. And that is exactly what I did – “down to a T”.

The first time I put them on to sleep in, I proudly modelled them for the wife. I asked her what she thought, expecting a wolf whistle and a reply that my legs looked great in them, but she looked me up and down and laughed. With the laugh came the somewhat unnecessary comment, “Had I known the day that you asked me to marry you that one day you would end up having smoother legs than me and wearing tights to bed, then you may have received a different answer!” I assumed that must have been her jealousy speaking as they felt great on and looked great too!

Looks aside, wearing them pre-race

prepares the legs for competition and training by promoting increased blood flow for faster warm-up and greater oxygen to the muscle tissue. This allows muscles to become more extensible for greater movement efficiency; reducing risk of injury. Injury was my main concern with these two races being so close together and at such distances, so I was willing to try ANYTHING if it would help.

For the recovery stage, the tights help restore your body back to peak levels in the fastest possible time for your next race (or training session) and this was what I desperately needed. It aids in doing this by increasing venous return to the heart and increases blood circulation; which helps with the removal of blood lactate from muscles to reduce swelling, soreness and speed muscle repair for faster recovery. Awesome.

I have to say, the 2XU recovery compression tights were very comfortable and effective. I believe my quick recovery from the marathon and triathlon events and remaining injury free was greatly due to wearing the recovery tights. Many athletes wear 2XU active compression tights during performance training too, as it protects muscles to help reduce damage, fatigue and long-term overuse injuries for stronger performance.

This also helps to align and keep muscles in place to reduce risk of muscle strain and soreness, which then helps you go harder and longer. I so wish I had worn them during the marathon, it may have been a little less painful!

Product Details & Benefits

The 2XU Recovery Compression Tights are the ultimate full length tights for the fastest muscle recovery. Extra powerful PWX WEIGHT fabric stabilises muscles, while graduated compression enhances blood flow, aiding the athlete’s return to form with the greatest possible efficiency. The optimal recovery tool after rigorous training and competition and exceptional muscle support for non-aerobic activities.

• Greater oxygenation of blood for faster recovery • Reduced fatigue through less muscle oscillation • Reduced muscle soreness • Reduced long-term overuse injuries • Faster muscle warm up pre-exercise • Greater power output • Heightened proprioception – awareness of limb placement for agility 2XU Recovery Compression Tights are available from all major sports stores, such as Beyond Fitness, GO Sport, Adventure HQ, Modell’s, and Saucony for 595 AED.

OUTDOORUAE

41

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

MARCH 2016 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

PRODUCTS POLAR A360

Fitness Tracker with Wrist-based Heart Rate

890 AED Available at GO Sport, Jumbo Electronics, Sun and Sand Sports, Adventure HQ, Saucony, City Sports and Beyond Fitness This waterproof fitness tracker is the first to have both a wrist-based heart rate monitor and Polar personalized training guidance as well as 24/7 activity tracking. It even has smart watch features like smart notifications and a colour touch screen.

Features: • Wrist-based Heart Rate Training: Makes heart-rate based training more convenient than ever, just tighten the band and you’re ready to train.

Exercise at the right training intensity and get guidance how to reach your fitness goals.

• 24/7 Activity Tracking: Track your activity 24/7 and get practical support to help you achieve your individual daily activity goal.

• Vibrating Smart Notifications: Stay up to date with phone notifications on your wrist, so you know if and when you need to stop.

• Steps and Distance: Tracks your steps and use that data to calculate what distance you’ve travelled.

• Smart Calories: Find out exactly how many calories you’ve burned. The calories you burn are calculated by combining your personal data (weight, height, age, and gender) and your daily activity and heart rate based training.

• Sleep: Automatically tracks your sleep time and quality. Check and learn more about your sleeping patterns in the Polar Flow app and web service.

Stages Power Meter 2,399 AED

Available at major bike shops across the region The Stages Power Meter is downright miniature. Under 20g, without magnets, made from the same material as bulletproof glass. Simply put, the Stages Power Meter sports the most advanced technology employed in the power meter category, all while being one of the easiest to maintain and simplest to use.

2XU Pre-natal Sport Tights 675 AED

Available at GO Sport and Beyond Fitness Motherhood meets movement with pre- and post-natal pregnancy compression from 2XU. Combining the best of its world-leading compression technology, 2XU have launched a new Active Maternity range designed to provide support, flexibility and protection to help women remain active, strong and comfortable during and post pregnancy.

Designed for focused support and all day comfort, 2XU’s pre-natal tights feature a tummy panel made from highly breathable and seam-free material which grows with you during pregnancy.

The powerful PWX graduated compression fabric targets the lower back to support the upper body, while enhancing posture and breathing. The leg compression helps to reduce swelling in the ankles and feet, and the tights also support the pelvic floor with a double-layer 70D compression fabric.

HAWK-201 Arabic Edition 2,500 AED

Available at Instagram: @almekshah Facebook: www.facebook.com/almekshah Mobile: +971 55 8008829 The HAWK-201 marks the next generation of manufacturing technology, delivering Nite’s lightest ever watch without sacrificing any of the quality Nite has built their reputation upon.

Features: • Unique, Middle East only, Arabic Face.

• Super-bright GTLS illumination.

• Lightweight reinforced carbon construction – the lightest model in the line.

• Next-gen design cues and engineering.

• Swiss Ronda Movement.

• 200m water resistance.

• Tough and durable casing designed to withstand harsh outdoor conditions.

42

OUTDOORUAE

Hydro is all about water sports.

Setup by watersports enthusiasts who want other people to have the chance and have fun, feel the challenge or simply break their daily routine or exercise on a standup paddle board or kayak at the eastern mangroves. Or a traditional dhow trip (to both Yas Marina Circuit and Ferrari World) from our location in Al Bandar Marina.

Stand-up Paddling

The fast-growing sport of stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) is a fun, easy way to go play on the water. With a minimum number of equipment, you can paddle anywhere from ocean surf to lakes and rivers—no waves required.

Paddle boarding offers an amazing full body workout and is becoming a favorite cross-training activity for skiers, snowboarders and other athletes. And since you’re standing at your full height, you’ll enjoy excellent views of everything from sea creatures to what’s on the horizon. It’s almost like walking on water! Hydro Marine offers

stand up paddle classes, tours and other SUP activates.

Kayaks

A kayak is a small, narrow boat which is propelled by means of a double-bladed paddle that we also offer in Hydro Marine for our customers. We provide individual kayak rentals and guided group tours daily all week long.

Dhow Boat Cruise

Have you ever wanted to ride on a real traditional dhow boat? Or have you ever

seen Yas Marina Circuit and Ferrari World from the waterfront? Well now you can.

Hydro Maine Sports is happy to introduce to its services the magnificent “Hydro Dhow”. The tour starts off from Al Bandar Marina where Hydro Dhow is located (next to Ornina Restaurant). Hydro takes-off every hour starting from 3:00 p.m. SundayThursday, 11:00 a.m. Friday-Saturday and the final tour is at 10:00 p.m. every day.

This gives you an amazing chance to take picture of the sunset, Yas Marina and its wonderful lights at night while enjoying the sun during the day tours. Join us and we hope you have an amazing experience in Hydro Dhow.

You can find our Dhow Boat Cruise location at Al Bandar Marine, next to Tiki Lounge where you will find our kiosk and our staff will be happy to assist you.

Excited? Check out more of Hydro Marine’s adrenaline-pumping and scenic services at www.hydromarinesports.com, call them at 050 243 7382 or follow them on social media at hydro_marine on Twitter and Instagram or at facebook.com/HydroMarineSport

OUTDOORUAE

43

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

MARCH 2016 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

PRODUCTS STARBOARD Waterman Package 2016 Available in inflatable or rigid board

7,300 AED Available at SeaYou Shop, Al Quoz 2 behind Times Square Attracting new people to the water and following the explosive growth trends of stand-up paddle boarding all over the world, windSUPing has become the new hot trend within windsurfing. As current windsurfers opt to buy a WindSUP for the family and as more and more pure stand-up paddle boarders try attaching a sail to their board, the Waterman Package promises to double the size of the market and bring renewed energy into the foundation of this sport.

The Inflatable Waterman Package includes a WindSUP 11’6 Zen, a WindSUP compact 5.5m2 complete sail package and a three-piece adjustable EnduroTiki Tech paddle. (Price includes bag with roller wheels and pump)

The Standard Waterman Package includes a WindSUP Freeride 12’2 ASAP, a WindSUP Classic Compact Sail 5.5m2 sail package and a two-piece adjustable EnduroTiki Tech paddle.

(Price includes bag for the sail)

RTM KAYAK: Ocean Duo Pack

Jobe OMNIA board

Available at SeaYou Shop, Al Quoz 2 behind Times Square

2,545 AED (before 2,995 AED)

This double kayak, is designed to accommodate one or two adults with a child (below 5 years old). Due to its unique centre seat it can be paddled solo. This is the ideal choice for family use. Comfortable and dry, it is a pleasure to paddle. It comes equipped with storage areas in the stern and the center of the boat. Manufactured in France. Two year warranty Colours available: Sun (red and yellow) Sky (blue), Lime (green and yellow) or Storm (grey).

Available at all Al Yousuf Motors showrooms across the UAE

3,350 AED

(4 sports in 1)

Not enough storage in your boat to fit all your gear or tired to drag those hefty skis in and out every single day? The Omnia is your all-in-one solution! Ready to be used as a kneeboard, ski, wakeskate/board AND wakesurfer, this lightweight board adds a whole new dimension to multi-functionality.

Compression molded out of PU foam and fibreglass, this family focused board can be used with great variety. Suited for all skill levels.

4 sports in 1 board: • Lay • Stand • Kneel • Surf

44

OUTDOORUAE

HAWK: The HAWK marks the next generation of manufacturing technology, delivering their lightest ever watch without sacrificing any of the quality that Nite has built their reputation upon.

The lightest watch in the entire catalogue, the HAWK remains true to its name as it is as light as a feather on the wrist. A mainstay among outdoor circles in the region, the HAWK is the watch of choice for enthusiasts in land, air or sea here in the Middle East.

Following the successful UAE Edition of the MX10 Al Mekshah would like to introduce the Nite Hawk in a special Arabic Edition complete with all the things the HAWK is known with a special touch exclusively available for the Middle East - a finely crafted fascia with Arabic characters.

The Pinnacleof Next-Gen Engineering, Now in Arabic Technical Specifications Case Finish Black Polycarbonate Strap Type Black Polymer Crystal K1 Mineral GTLS Hands, Dial and Bezel MBS No Movement Swiss Ronda 515 Crown Type Push in Dial Diameter 33mm Case Diameter 51mm Case Depth 13mm Weight 64g Water Resistance 200m Battery Life 3-4 Years

Available at Instagram: @almekshah Facebook: www.facebook.com/almekshah Mobile: +971 55 8008829 OUTDOORUAE

45

It’s that time of the year when we hang our desert bikes gloves and put on our marine ones.

With the summer approaching Al Yousuf Motors has you covered when it comes to fun in the water. The 2016 line-up of Yamaha products available at all Al Yousuf Motors outlets, promises to thrill and excite all tastes.

FZR Waverunner

FZR SVHO - The Fastest Waverunner Ever

The FZR, is the fastest most powerful WaveRunner ever, and the choice of champions for solo riding, as well as a super-fast cruising for two.

Matched with our revolutionary NanoXcel 2 hull and deck amazingly light yet incredibly strong - with a supercharged version of the industry’s largest capacity engine and you’ve got pure excitement and the ability to win no fewer than 7 IJSBA world titles in 2014!

The FZR handles like a dream! Unique telescopic steering means you can switch effortlessly between a lean-forward riding position and stand-up style.

AR190 FSH

Put yourself in the center of Yamaha’s oneof-a-kind, fishing-friendly center console boat. The compact design of Yamaha’s internal jet propulsion system results in an open, cross-functional platform with 360 degree access to the water. With its 16” draft, shallow water navigation is a breeze in coastal and inland conditions. The family-friendly layout is packed with Yamaha-exclusive technology, plus key features for fishing including plenty of storage for rods, bait, tackle boxes, coolers and anchors.

Specifications: Length: Weight: Beam: Draft: Dead Rise: Seating Capacity/ Weight Capacity:

19’2” 2293 LBS 8’ 16” 18° 1240 LBS(8 persons)

AR190 FSH

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

MARCH 2016 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

242XE

242 XE

A new, high performance wake boat boasting cutting-edge technologies and advanced wake control functions. Standard features include Yamaha’s triple ballast system, award-winning Connext interface featuring new Drive Control and a powerful 1,000-watt stereo with sound bar, subwoofer and 18 premium speakers.

Specifications: Length: Weight: Beam: Draft: Dead Rise: Seating Capacity/ Weight Capacity:

24’ 4032 LBS 8’5” 18.5” 20° 2450 LBS (12 Persons)

Yamaha Boat - Exult 38 SS

The epitome of YAMAHA design and engineering, this technologically advanced, European style sporty cabin cruiser makes one exult with admiration.

Maximum utilization of space, ethnically Japanese interior, masterly crafted owners stateroom with double bed and dining set, under deck middle berth, aft lounge with table/fill in cushion, each area on this boat has been purposely designed and meticulously constructed.

Specifications: • Length overall: 11.58 m 38.21 ft • Beam: 3.61 m 11.9 ft • Draft: 0.78 m 2.57 ft • Weight: 6500 kg 6.5 t • Fuel tank: 260 g 1000 l • Water tank: 52 g 200 l • Standard engines hp: 2 x 350 HP

Exult 38 SS

Standard Features: • Dual helm seat with flip up • Wet bar (sink & faucet), lounge seat & table • Forward saloon with lounge and double bed • Galley with microwave, stove and refrigerator • Companion cabin with twin berth • Toilet and shower compartment • Aft deck shower • Radar arch with overhead lighting • Integrated swim platform • Gasoline generators 2 x 6 KVA with marine air conditioning 40000 BTU • Power assisted steering system with tilt steering

• Anchor with windlass • Wipers with window washer • Radio, CD player with speakers, television • GPS/echo sounder/radar/ chart plotter • Led navigation lights • Remote control searchlight • Electric trim tabs • Antifouling • Cockpit refrigerator • Bow and stern thrusters • Water heater • Electric hi-lo table, electric curtain

OUTDOORUAE

47

OUR EXPERTS

Metal Jigs such as these from Williamson are very effective in covering the water column they are also very aerodynamic and casts well even in very windy conditions

Words + Photos by: Kit Belen

I am one of those guys that have more lures than I can count. I honestly do not know how many lures I have – and if I count the soft plastic baits with the rest of them, I would be very surprised if the number was not over 1,000.

A few guys have seen my fishing room and disorganized as it is, they can’t help but express their excitement in expletives that would make the mothers of a few sailors blush.

The truth of the matter is, I don’t need this much to catch fish – one does not need to spend a small fortune to find success in catching fish with lures – or at least not give into the addiction and buy lures you don’t really need.

Lures are Traps

Lures are traps, not just for the fish, but for the anglers as well.

Each time you buy a lure, you are filled with hope of it catching some nice fish for you. Surprisingly, you, as an angler really don’t need a lot of convincing, you convince yourself that the lure you are about to take to the counter is the lure that will catch your next trophy.

For the uninitiated, buying lures is an exercise that involves a lot of flexing from your wallet – as most of the lures you might choose won’t really work if you don’t use them properly – they will end up at the bottom of your box unused and forgotten.

Just today, I was helping someone choose the right lures for his use; it was quite an interesting conversation as the guy had clearly watched TV and was on the hunt for the Plugs are probably the most widely distributed and used lures in the market - they are designed to mimic the action of wounded baitfish

same lures – the problem was that he didn’t know how to work the lures he was choosing. After our conversation, he only had three lures in his hand as opposed to about 8 before we started talking. It could have been an expensive afternoon for him and I’m sure more than half the lures he chose would have been forgotten along with many others in his tackle box – worse, he might even think the ones he bought before catching a fish on a new lure are useless bling.

Make no mistake – any lure will catch a fish given the right conditions, but you first have to know how to use them.

Making Sense of Things

Like the rods and reels sold in tackle shops, choosing the right lures is a daunting task – it might be that there’s just too much of it in front of you and that you don’t know where to start – it might be the guy in the shop following you around and watching you like a hawk – tell you what, if you don’t know exactly what you want – ask them. Even if they don’t know how to fish, most of the shop attendants know what other people buy and what they come back for, and what these lures are used to catch. That is the single most useful information you will ever need.

The Breakdown

The first thing we need to look at is your gear – as most already know, not all rods are practical for lure fishing – I believe this is where a lot of people get discouraged – not using the right rod, reel and line will make it difficult for anyone to enjoy the joys of lure fishing. The rod, reel, line and lure need to be balanced – check your rod for the line weight – make sure it corresponds to the size of the reel and the line spooled on the reel – the manufacturers actually guide you make this process very simple – the rod is marked with a range of line weights recommended for its use, so with the reel. If you have a rod that is labelled PE0.8-2 (in the Japanese system) it means it is designed to be fished with that line range, on the same

line of information on the rod, it should also tell you the corresponding casting weight the rod is designed to cast – the rod that I have with the same range indicated above would have a casting weight of 5g-15, this means that the rod is designed to cast lures up to 15g with lines of thicknesses In PE0.8 to 2.0. Your reel should also be labelled with the corresponding line measurement and it will also tell you how long of the line of a particular size can be spooled. An example would be the Shimano Exsence 3000 – on its spool, it is indicated that it can be spooled with 300 metres of PE0.8.

You can then look for lures within the range of your casting weight of 5g-15g; simple right? When in doubt, talk to the guys in the shop and ask them, they will have an idea.

The range of useful lures for this weight class is quite extensive – the next question you should ask yourself is “What fish would I want to catch?” This is because each lure is designed to track at a certain depth and are optimised to be used a certain way, some are so specific that they are designed to be most appealing to a specific fish.

Demystifying Lures

You can fill a book with the names and brands of lures, each and every single one of them has the potential to catch fish. The brand and models you choose from are a matter of personal preference, there are people that choose one brand over the other for various reasons, however; one fact remains true regardless of the brand and model of lure you choose to go home with – it will not catch fish on its own, you have to tie the lure to the end of your line and cast it out.

I am not too critical about brands, however, I started my lure fishing with Rapala lures, with that in mind, I have an attachment to them and there are quite a few of their lures that make up my “confidence lures”.

On any given fishing trip, I carry a selection of a few small lure boxes – there’s one for Plugs, one for Metal Jigs and one for soft plastics with matching jig heads to use with soft plastics. With these three types, you are covered for quite a lot of fishing situations and a few species.

Plugs

Plugs are fish shaped lures – they come in lipped and non-lipped versions. Usually made with either wood or plastic, these are some of the most used lures in casting and trolling. Rapala is one of the most famous

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

The Rapala XXX-Rap Shallow is one of my current favorites, the 12cm model is a whoping 36g and is one of the lures I use when I need to cast a long way with a plug

brands for this type of lure – they have been producing lures since 1936 and is the world’s largest fishing lure manufacturing company – with that comes the world’s largest distribution chain and this is the reason why almost everyone’s first fishing lure is a Rapala.

For shallow water fishing around bridges and jetties, Rapala lures are some of my favourites because they are so easy to use and the finish on their lures lasts forever! Other brands may have good-looking finishes but the paint they use doesn’t really last long.

Plugs are relatively easy to use because they start working as soon as you start cranking the reel handle, even for a first timer, it is very easy to understand why plugs work – they wobble and swim just like real fish.

It is very easy to get confused with what plug to buy, even for someone that has fished with them for a long time, the impulse to buy one more is often times a very hard temptation to ignore. My rule is simple – for shallow water fishing (fishing in water 10 metres and below) I look at 76mm – 127mm lures. This is because it is the most common baitfish size and it makes sense to match what forage is available in the area.

The colours I choose are “Blue Sardine” or “Blue Mackerel”, “Red Head” and “Bone”.

Sardine and mackerel are common baitfish found around the world. The colour pattern “Red Head” is what the lure fishing industry call an attractor pattern. It doesn’t really mimic any colour in the wild, but is a proven colour pattern. Some people believe that it looks like a fish with a bloody head and is the reason why it appeals so much to fish.

White is the most common baitfish colour and “Bone” is an all white lure. With one or two of these colours, you are poised for success with plugs.

Metal Jigs

Metal jigs are some of the most versatile lures you could ever use. Compared to the plug and the lead head jig, the metal jig is compact and relatively heavy for its size. The actions of the jigs have also been tuned in recent years and have become quite popular for casting in windy conditions – don’t let the size fool you, they might look small but they have been a consistent producer of pretty impressive fish caught off the rock jetties.

There are two types of metal jigs widely available – the slim jigs and the wide-bodied jigs. Slim jigs will give you the longest fluttering action of the two, while the slim profile of the other makes it easy to cast through headwinds and will give you the best distances. 20g-30g jigs are my absolute favourites and I have caught kingfish on jigs of this type.

Using them is also very easy – cast as far as you can, then let the lure hit bottom, sweep your rod up and reel in the slack line, repeat this process until the lure is close, you can then reel in and cast again.

My favourite colours are pink, blue, glow in the dark and white. One of my absolute favourite colours is orange and gold, sadly, this colour is one of the least favoured of the lot and the shops have not been stocking a lot of this colour in any lure.

Jig Heads and Soft Plastic Baits

Soft plastic baits have been around for a long time and has picked up some steam lately, up until two years before, soft plastics have been largely ignored by most of the anglers in the UAE. There were only a handful of anglers using and most kept it to themselves because of all the lures out

Soft plastic baits are very effective when used correctly and are my lures of choice when the going gets really tough

MARCH 2016 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

in the world; the closest thing to using real bait is soft plastic baits! They move like the real thing, they feel like the real thing and some smell like the real thing!

Of all the lures, soft plastics are the most realistic in feel as well as in swimming motion and come in over a thousand colour variations and shapes, each designed to move exactly like their real counterparts. It is very rare to find one type of soft plastic without at least five colour variations that target even the most far-flung localities.

There are soft plastics that imitate just about anything that is found in the ocean that are commonly used for bait - from fish, crab, shrimp, octopus, worms – even clam meat! There are those that are impregnated with salt and those that come in a liquid solution that claim to have enzymes that stimulate the feeding impulse of fish.

Soft plastics on their own are light and although there are some situations where a soft plastic bait can be used with only a bare hook, the most common and practical way to rig soft plastics is via a jig head.

Again, there are a lot of head variations and weights and colours – I mostly stick with unpainted heads in the 10g-20g sized heads.

For the soft plastics, I like using Berkley Gulp! In Jerkshad, H&H Baby Bullminnow and crab and shrimp imitations depending on where I’m fishing and the fish I’m after.

The idea way to fish soft plastic baits is to mimic the movements of the type of creature you are trying to imitate. The best way is to watch videos on Youtube and see exactly how a shrimp or a crab moves, then try to visualize how the lure moves after you cast it out.

As for colours, I stick with natural coloured lures most often as this has been very successful for me – pearl, white, white and blue, black and clear are prime examples.

The biggest challenge with these lures is not to get them snagged on the bottom, which is why I usually buy jig heads and soft plastic bodies in bulk. They are the lures that I mostly use when fishing a new area and are the biggest producers for me.

Using lures for the first time can be a bit daunting, but it’s a very dynamic way of fishing and from the number of fish you see on Facebook, a very consistent producer, even when the chips are down. The more you get out and fish with lures, the more confident you will be with them. Remember – They will catch fish if you put them on your line – they will stand a better chance of catching a fish if you cast them in the water than they will in your tackle box.

Till next tide change,

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

OUTDOORUAE

49

OUR EXPERTS

Dubai Tour 2016

Marcel Kittel's Victory Opens a New Chapter in His Career Words by: Nico de Corato Photos supplied by: Nico de Corato and Ansa/Daniel Dal Zennaro

In the presence of HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, HE Saeed Harib - Dubai Sports Council General Secretary and Diego Maradona, who attended the tour for the third consecutive season, Marcel Kittel (Etixx - Quick Step) the Blue Jersey, received the winner's trophy, named the Circle of Stars.

The Dubai Tour is an annual professional road bicycle racing stage race held in Dubai; the race was classified as a 2.1 in 2013 and is organised by the Dubai Sports Council in partnership with RCS Sport, and was held for the first time between 5-8 February 2014.

The race is made up of four stages, three of which are suited for sprinters and the third stage ending with an uphill finish to the Hatta Dam. The defending champion was Mark Cavendish, who won the 2015 Tour for Etixx–Quick-Step but was riding for Team Dimension Data this year.

Sixteen teams took part in the race; ten of which were UCI World Teams. There was also three UCI Professional Continental teams and three UCI Continental teams with

50

OUTDOORUAE

Sprinting to Victory

Marcel Kittel of the Etixx-Quick-Step lifts the 2016 Dubai Tour trophy

most teams being comprised of eight people. Since not every team brought their full quota of riders, only 124 riders were entered in the start list.

A Quick Stop at the Dubai Tour Village

Every day people could enter the Dubai Tour Village, located at the Dubai International Marine Club. This was a great chance for fans to get behind-the-scenes glimpses of the Tour, relax or enjoy various entertainment activities as well as see the Tour’s supporters in their respective stands. The Dubai Tour Village was the place where both adults and children could meet the champions and attend exciting performances. Among them was Vittorio “100% Brumotti” Brumotti's stunt show.

Vittorio, is an Italian champion in trial bike and an exhibitionist. He made his first exhibition show at a very young age and he also won the trial bike World Championship in 2006. During his career he broke 10 Guinness World Records and he is now representing many important brands. Several years ago Vittorio had a bad accident but this never stopped his career and he continues to put 100% of his energy into cycling. Now he is famous for the tricks he could perform on a road bike, the very same bicycle used by the participants of the Tour.

On the racing side of things, the final stage was hot as competitors intensified their pursuit in order to win this climactic finale to the Tour. During this stage, Daniel Teklehaimanot (Dimension Data), Jan Polanc and Rui Costa (Lampre-Merida), Sebastian Lander (One Pro Cycling), Mark Christian (Team Wiggins) and Roy Curvers (Team Giant - Alpecin) made the breakaway of the day. The composition of the escape was ideal for Marcin Bialoblocki (One Pro Cycling) to retain the lead in the intermediate sprints.

After regrouping with 11km to go, it all came down to a final and decisive bunch sprint. Had Nizzolo come second to Kittel, he would have kept the overall lead but the German was so powerful that no one managed to hold his pace, with Elia Viviani (Team Sky) and Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data) finishing second and third, respectively.

At the end of it all, Marcel Kittel sprinted to victory outpacing Elia Viviani and Mark Cavendish to seal his second stage win of the four-day race.

After the race, Kittel commented during a press conference "A new chapter opened in my life in 2016 with a change of team, and it’s been great to start this new chapter here.

I’m super happy with the support I received.

Selfie with Kittel, winner of this edition

Vittorio Brumotti in action

Vittorio Brumotti & HE Saeed Hareb

My teammates did a great job and I had fun hugging Diego Maradona after I won! He really likes the race – he’s been here since the beginning – and it’s great to see him enjoy the event. A GC victory rarely happens for a sprinter like me. I’m excited by this win but I have to keep calm; we’re still in February and the season lasts till October.

The biggest challenges are still ahead."

Commenting on Kittel’s victory, Maradona said "I love Dubai and I'm very happy to be here for the last stage of the Dubai Tour. Today the winner is cycling but if I have to say something about Marcel Kittel — what muscles, what a body!"

Alex Dowsett, member of the winning teams classification, Team Movistar, said: "At Movistar, we’re all good! I’m joking — but we’re always challenging for the teams classification. We’ve won it this time because we were trying to get Lobato to win the stage yesterday. He showed that he’s extremely good at uphill sprints. But when it comes to the fast flat sprints, he’s lacking a bit of horsepower against Kittel and the pure Movistar team

Vittorio Brumotti with a falcon at the Dubai Tour village

sprinters. However, it’s great to have won the queen stage here. It’s an honour to attend the presentation with the whole team on stage. We’ll bring excellent memories of Dubai back home.

Personally, the prologue of the Giro will be my next big goal."

General Classification Results

1. Marcel Kittel - Etixx - Quick Step 2. Giacomo Nizzolo - Trek - Segafredo 3. Juan José Lobato - Movistar Team

Final Stage Results

1. Marcel Kittel - Etixx - Quick Step 2. Elia Viviani - Team Sky 3. Mark Cavendish - Dimension Data

Jerseys

• Blue Jersey, sponsored by Commercial Bank of Dubai (General individual classification by time) – Marcel Kittel (Etixx - Quick Step) • Red Jersey, sponsored by Emirates (General individual classification by points) – Marcel Kittel (Etixx - Quick Step) • White Jersey, sponsored by Roads and Transport Authority (Best Young Rider born after 1 January 1991) – Soufiane Haddi (Skydive Dubai Pro Cycling Team - Al Ahli Club) • UAE Flag Jersey, sponsored by Dubai Health Authority (Intermediate Sprint Jersey Classification) – Marcin Bialoblocki (One Pro Cycling) For further reading, check Nico’s website www.dubaiblognetwork.com, contact him on social networks or via email at admin@dubaiblognetwork.com for information about this article or just to say hello.

OUR EXPERTS

Dive Hotspot: Oman Words + Photos by: Jake Lyle

With underwater landscapes that rival The Great Barrier Reef, the Caribbean or Micronesia, this remote and untouched aquatic paradise is slowly building its reputation as a world-renowned diving hotspot. With crystal clear waters, colourful corals and frequent visits from marine giants, this hidden gem is attracting more and more divers from around the world, who want to experience the rugged and unspoilt scenery that is Oman.

The sultanate of Oman is not just rich in history, but also in biodiversity. On the edge of the Indian Ocean, Oman is home to an overabundance of marine life. Hundreds of species of colourful reef fish take permanent residency in the waters of Oman, adding to the vibrancy and character of the reefs.

Relaxing in the ridges and crevices of the coral, tranquil, stress-free turtles relax and watch divers as they glide past.The sea floor below these reefs is densely populated with a number of unique creatures that often draw divers from around the world. The seabed is often scattered with resting stingrays hiding below a thin layer of sand, honeycomb eels poking their heads slightly out of a piece of coral, or even a collection of three or four lionfish hovering over the sand beside a rock.

And then come the creatures that cast great shadows on the sea floor, which glide above the coral patrolling the reefs. Although all kinds of sharks have been spotted in Omani waters, such as hammerheads, bull sharks and even tiger sharks, the species that make up the regular sightings in Omani dive sites are whitetip reef sharks, blacktip reef sharks, zebra sharks and the critically acclaimed whale shark. Diving with a whale shark is often at the top of many divers’ bucket lists, as it truly is a humbling experience, which often causes divers to travel across the globe and to the ends of the earth in search of one – everywhere from Mexico to Mozambique, but few people realise, Oman is one of the greatest locations that offers the opportunity to dive with a whale shark. Moving back up towards the surface, it is no less animated than the waters below, as dolphins are often spotted twisting and spinning above and below the waves, particularly in the wake of a boat gliding past. With that, we can see that

there is no shortage of life within the waters of Oman.

The conditions in Omani waters can vary, according to season, weather and migration of organisms like plankton. Generally, the visibility lies between 15-30 metres, depending on the dive site and conditions of the surroundings. As far as temperature goes, there are few dive locations with as much variation in water temperature as there is in Oman, with winter conditions being somewhere between the 19-21oc mark and summer being anywhere between 21-28oc, making it possible for different marine species to inhabit the area at different times throughout the year, contributing to the biodiversity of the area. As well, factors like plankton can alter the populations of certain species of marine life in the area, such as whale sharks.

The plankton bloom, particularly between July and September, can attract whale sharks to the area, so despite a possible decrease in visibility, when the water is nutrient rich, it increases marine life abundance – so bad visibility isn’t always a bad thing!

The diving in Oman is as diverse as it’s marine life, with several different types of diving available to enthusiasts. The range of dives in Oman include reef dives, drift dives, cave dives, night dives, boat dives, beach dives and wreck dives. Clearly, much like biodiversity, Oman doesn’t fall short when it comes to diversity of diving.

With reefs scattered all around the coast, reef dives are readily available along most of the coastline. Some of the best reef dives are found in Musandam, which is the northernmost part of Oman, usually accessed through the UAE. The most popular dive sites in the Musandam area are Lima Wall and Lima Rock, where you can dive along huge walls

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

of colourful coral, and often receive visits from huge schools of jack. As well, this is one of the sights where, in the cooler months, whale shark sightings are frequent.

Still in the Musandam area, for cave enthusiasts, “The Caves” dive site lies within eroded walls of the coastline, and is made up of a number of rock chambers and tunnels that make for a very interesting and intriguing dive, unlike any other. Beams of light from holes in the ceiling of the cave illuminate the natural sculptures in the inner-part of the cave, making this chamber a true spectacle.

Within the cave it’s not uncommon to spot resting sharks or stingrays on the sea floor.

This is one of the most interesting dives in Oman.

Moving southeast, toward Muscat, the diversity of these dives only increases. For those in search for some truly awe-inspiring levels of life on the reefs, the Damaniyat Islands, about 70 kilometres west of Muscat, is the place to visit. The Damaniyat Islands is a nature reserve, made up of nine islands that is internationally recognised as one of the most beautiful dive locations in the Gulf of Oman. This cluster of islands features pristine white beaches, wrapped with crystal clear waters – an island paradise that once arriving at, it makes you feel as though you could be anywhere in the world. On the shores of these islands, a large number of sea turtles rest, lay eggs, and nest there – so you know you’re bound to see turtles during the dive.

As well, the islands are magnets for migratory and indigenous birds that flock there throughout the year. Large and unique reefs made up of vibrant corals that rival that of the Great Barrier Reef surround the pristine islands. These reefs reach a depth of around 30 metres – perfect for a long dive. As well as the usual mix of marine species, the Damaniyat Islands are particularly well known for regular shark sightings, particularly, zebra, whitetip and whale shark varieties. While diving in the Damaniyat Islands in February 2015, I was fortunate enough to encounter one of these gentle giants towards the end of the dive, near the surface – so speaking from firsthand experience – the opportunity to spot one of these natural wonders is certainly there.

Also in Muscat, an area called Bandar Khayran is made up of a number of different coves and bays that contain within them some excellent dive sites. Within Bandar Khayran lies one of the greatest wrecks in Oman - the Al Munassir. The Royal Navy of

MARCH 2016 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

Oman sank this 3,000 tonne vessel in 2003, allowing an artificial reef to develop on and around the ship in the 13 years it has been submerged. The ship lies upright about 30 meters below the surface and makes for the perfect wreck dive. The open corridors along the sides of the ship are perfect for divers who don’t feel confident enough to penetrate the ship just yet, but who still would like to get the feel of exploring a sunken shipwreck. There are also opportunities to go further into the wreck for more experienced divers (PADI Advanced Open Water and above). Within the wreck, a number of schools of fish hover still in the open corridors and chambers, and often honeycomb eels lay along the bottom in cracks in the hull. Giant Moray Eels are frequently spotted on the boat, so caution must be taken when swimming through narrow corridors so as not to disturb the permanent residents on board.

On the main deck of ship, turtles often lay in rest, although they are sometimes hard to spot as their green-brownish shell often blends in with the rusting hull of the sunken vessel.

Another great dive spot is an island just off the coast of Muscat called Fahal Island, nicknamed Shark Island. The most well known attraction at this dive site is probably quite clear. Whitetip and blacktip reef sharks are often spotted on the sand banks of this dive site, giving the location it’s name. The reefs at this site reach 40m below the surface, making it quite a deep dive compared to most reefs in Oman.

The diving in Oman is not to be missed.

There a few places on earth with the different diving opportunities that Oman has to offer, and the one thing that Oman has that most diving hotspots don’t, is it’s unspoiled and pristine state. Few people are aware of the fantastic diving that Oman has to offer, making it only an upcoming diving destination. With that, the reefs haven’t been subjected to the damage that popular dive sites unfortunately often are, the waters aren’t busy with a number of different dive companies sharing one site, and the rare and magnificent marine species that frequent the area haven’t yet been scared off by busy traffic lanes of boats or large and frequent groups of invasive and intrusive tourists. Too often however, these wonderful and natural locations lose their immaculate condition as more development occurs. So while it still remains one of the most pristine diving locations in the world, dive Oman!

OUTDOORUAE

53

OUR EXPERTS

Women

n Wheels

Words by: Helle Bachofen von Echt Photos by: Anton Vos, Noel Cuarton and Carbon Wheels Qatar

With the UCI Road World Championships taking place in Qatar later this year, I was curious to learn more about women’s cycling in our neighbouring country. I caught up with Wajeeha Al-Husseini, who shared with me some of the past, present and future initiatives taking place in Qatar to encourage more people to take up cycling. I specifically wanted to find out about any events targeting women and local Qataris.

Wajeeha is a partner of the Carbon Wheels bike shop; a high performance and expert bike shop, run by passionate cyclists for cyclists. Wajeeha has inspired many to get fit and active. She is a communication and brand professional and is passionate about supporting the development of cycling and sports in Qatar, especially amongst women.

The Global Biking Initiative 2015

It was especially on the back of this charity initiative that Qatar started to witness an increase in cycling amongst the local Qataris. In 2013 only five casual Qatari riders were seen out on their bikes, while now in the beginning of 2016, this number has increased significantly and believed to have reached close to 150 local riders, regularly taking to the roads of Doha and Qatar.

The Qatar Charity (QC), in collaboration with Qatar Sandstormers and Qatar Cycling Centre launched the charity initiative

“Cyclists for Education” where 35 cyclists including 20 national Qataris took part in an 800km cycling race over seven days, crossing four European countries (starting in Italy and finishing in Germany) with climbing up to 7,000 meters. The charitable project chosen was to build a secondary school for girls in Gaza, based on the belief in the importance of education, particularly in areas where children face challenges and difficulties impeding their access to education. The signing of this agreement came as part of QC’s desire to support charity and sports simultaneously - particularly within Qatari society, where there is a significant need to spread sports consciousness. The challenge was broadcast on Qatar television and inspired Qataris in specific to take up cycling.

The Women’s Cycling Community

In 2015 Wajeeha set up the women’s only cycling Facebook page in Qatar: “The Veloettes”, which is a platform and

community encouraging women to get into cycling. Within this page, reserved for women, riders can feel comfortable and encouraged to seek advice from others, organise women’s only rides and share relevant events with each other. This community is growing day by day and has now reached 80 female members, from 30 at the end of 2015. Until recently, the cyclists in the Doha area have been training on the public roads only, but since the opening of the Losail International Circuit to cyclists and runners one night a week, many are now training in this safe and social environment.

Wajeeha shines with excitement as she shares with me the details of the first ever Women’s Only Cycling Day in Qatar “Women on Wheels”, an event taking place on 7th April 2016 organised by Qatar Cycling Centre

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

MARCH 2016 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

and with Eulogy Van Dyk in charge of the event planning. The aim of this initiative is to encourage any women, locals as well as expats, to get social on bikes in a closed, safe and supportive environment. The event is free and bikes can be borrowed for free. The Women’s Day, running 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. will start with fun rides and then finish with a criterium race for any competitive female riders.

Wajeeha hopes this will encourage more new women into cycling, exercise and sports.

Elite and Competitive Cycling

Amongst the 80 female cyclists in the Doha community, 10-15 women attend and compete regularly. Of those five are “elite”; elite defined as “training seriously for competitions”. Due to the smaller numbers of competitive females, these elite women usually race together with Male B riders, although with separate prize ceremonies.

Wajeeha, partner of the Carbon Wheels bike shop, has recently put together Qatar’s first and only supported female cycling team. The team consists of dedicated female cyclists and the aim of the team is to inspire others and show that women of all ages and capabilities can get into cycling and performance. Each member of the team has their own unique story behind them.

Racing with the Carbon Wheels Women

While visiting Doha, I jumped on the opportunity to join a night time criterium outside the Losail International Circuit on the Pearl.

This local race is part of a series of night criteriums organised by Jock Hughson of Qatar Chain Reaction and supported by Carbon Wheels Bike Shop. These races take place on a 2.4K loop. The loops are repeated for 40mins, after which two more loops are to be completed. There are two categories, Male A and then Male B and Women A racing in

the same field, again with separate podium prize ceremonies. A total of 41 riders hit the start line, with only three women in the field; myself and two Carbon Wheels riders.

Given it was a local event taking place on a weeknight, there was a good turn out and it was a safe, fun and well organised race. The roads were closed and the riders timed with a professional timing system. It was particularly enjoyable getting to know some of the Dohabased cyclists and especially meeting the two women who were very welcoming and appreciated some unusual competition.

The Future of Female Cycling in Qatar

Wajeeha has grand plans for increasing the level of female cycling in Qatar. As the first step in 2016 she is looking to register her Carbon Wheels female team with UCI to enable them to race 2.2 stage races (UCI 2.2 stages invites participation from professional continental teams of the country, UCI continental teams, national teams and regional and club teams). Wajeeha’s aim is to raise awareness of women’s competitive cycling in the Gulf region but also to provide an opportunity for the committed female cyclists in Qatar to become exposed to a higher

level of competition and the opportunity to develop their strength and skills in a female environment.

A more ambitious and longer term goal is to bring the UCI 2.2 female stage races to Qatar. With the 8th edition of the Women’s Tour of Qatar (UCI 2.1) just completed in February and with 2.2 male stage races, such as Tour of Al Zubarah running for the fourth time in 2016, Wajeeha aspires to open the Tour of Al Zubarah to a women’s UCI 2.2 field in 2018. The Qatar Cycling Federation currently has their hands full with the preparations for the 2016 UCI Road World Championships, however Wajeeha aims to join the slipstream of these events and begin to establish the foundations for this higher level competitive female cycling event.

This is a very exciting step forward in women’s competitive cycling in the Gulf region and hopefully as the preparations take shape¬¬¬, it will prompt and encourage the surrounding GCC countries to start preparing respective women’s teams for participation and support of this initiative.

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.

OUTDOORUAE

55

OUR EXPERTS

Words + Photos by: Marina Bruce

An inevitable part of dune driving is getting stuck – but I never consider a car to be truly “stuck” until you need a rope or a winch to pull it out.

The Refusal

Sometimes it takes two - or maybe more – gos to reach the top of a dune, however so long as you can reverse down and try again, you are not stuck! Unlike show jumping there are no penalty points for a refusal, although after attempt three you will probably find your friends reaching for their cameras.

If at first you don’t succeed: • Consider your tyre pressure – is it suitable for the conditions.

• Try a different gear combination.

• Reverse all the way back down until the back of your car is higher than the front and make another run at it.

• Each car which goes up the hill softens the sand a little more so take a track slightly to the right or left for more chance of success.

• If you are almost there then try wiggling the steering wheel very slightly (like you see in driving scenes in 1960’s movies) which will give your wheels extra traction.

The Situation

It is a fact that most “stucks” can be driven out of, even by beginners with a little encouragement and instruction. The most important thing is not to floor the accelerator and dig the car in even more; keep calm, assess the situation and you will often work out a solution.

Not as bad as it looked

56

OUTDOORUAE

Soft sand topped with a wet crust equals stuck

As with refusals, the first thing to check is tyre pressures and make sure they are optimal for conditions; • Consider changing to 4LOW to give you extra power but be aware that 4LOW and 1st gear will see so much power to the wheels that your car will often move too slowly to gain sufficient momentum to move.

• Engage differential lock if you have it • Clear sand from in front and behind all four wheels – mini sand dunes built up in front and behind tyres give your car unnecessary work • Remove “self-loading cargo” – i.e. passengers, less weight in the car does make a difference – and they can help you with clearing the wheels • Find a harder patch of sand to aim for by walking around the immediate area.

The Stuck

There are many reasons why you may be truly stuck; cresting – where your car is balanced on a crest, especially easy in a long wheelbase but possible also with short wheelbases; parking on soft, flat sand meaning no gravity to help you move away; caught in a bowl with no easy exit; stuck behind a bush or other obstacle; the list goes on...

First try a self-recovery using some of the tips above – unless you are out in the middle of the day in summer, in which case, reach for the nearest winch or snatch strap! If that fails then you truly are stuck and will need

Who put that bush there

assistance from one or more of the other cars in your convoy.

Extracting a car from a stuck is a potentially dangerous operation so thought should be given to safety.

If you have a winch, this is the safest and most gentle method of recovery however, bear in mind that: • Steel winch ropes recoil if they snap so everyone should stand well clear.

• A winch is most efficient when there is only one layer of rope on the drum – so park your car a little bit away from the stuck one.

• Park the recovery vehicle sensibly – to make sure it does not get stuck too.

Winches are a very useful modification for your car but they are expensive and mostly used to help “other” people so for many, the only option is a strap • Use a rated “snatch” strap - these are different from tow straps, in that they are elasticated and store up kinetic energy to pop the car out of the stuck.

• Use rated shackles – metal ones will have the safe weight load stamped on them and synthetic ones will have this information on the packet.

• Sometimes you cannot get the recovery car close enough but you can join two snatch straps – but never use a metal shackle to do this. Instead use a synthetic shackle or check out YouTube to research safe methods of joining them.

• Snatch straps sometimes break so you should ensure everyone is standing at least 1.5 times the length of the strap away from the recovery.

Sometimes, just sometimes, I lead an expedition which turns out to be a “Teflon Trip”, i.e. not stuck! That is not the aim of my trips but is a product of my group being taught self-recovery skills and putting them to good use!

Don’t be embarrassed when you get stuck, it happens to the best of us and you should just learn from it and move on!

1-5

DUBAI I N T E R N A T I ON A L B O AT S H O W

MARCH 2016 Dubai International Marine Club, Mina Seyahi

Sensational Premieres Global and regional launches of superyachts & leisure crafts. Smart choices from 55+ countries!

Incredible Speeds

Free Trials

Watch spectacular powerboat racing @ F1H2O Grand Prix.

Fishing, sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding & more.

Ride the wave of excitement Personal submarines, flying & solar powered boats + many more!

Fun at The Beach!

Live entertainment, tantalising cuisines & breathtaking stunts!

DISCOVER YOUR BEST BOATING INVESTMENTS AND WATER SPORTS ADVENTURES RIGHT HERE! HOW TO GET THERE

AED60 Public Ticket

VIP parking

FREE visitor parking

water bus

DUBAI I N TE R N AT ION A L B O A T S H OW

FREE visitor parking

Dubai International Marine Club Mina Seyahi

Skydive Dubai

Gateway Towers

Le Meridien

shuttle bus

Marina Towers tram station

Dubai Marina tram station

show entrance MINA SEYAHI TRAM STATION (NO.7)

Al Sufouh Road

~ NAKHEEL & DUBAI MARINA METRO STATION

5th Interchange, SZR

~ DUBAI TRAM LINE

Disembark at Mina Seyahi Tram Station for show entrance

Knowledge Village tram station

Palm Jumeirah tram station

Media City tram station

shuttle bus Sheikh Zayed Road

Dubai Marina Metro Station

CO-LOCATED

Palm Jumeirah

shuttle bus

Sheikh Zayed Road

ORGANISED BY

~ GATEWAY TOWERS

(Nakheel Multi-storey car park, at the entrance to Palm Jumeirah) FREE shuttle bus

Nakheel multistorey carpark

Majlis parking

Dubai Marina Mall tram station

~ SKYDIVE DUBAI

FREE shuttle bus and water bus

VENUE

BOATSHOWDUBAI.COM

SUPPORTING MARITIME AUTHORITY

SUPPORTING PARTNER

Show open from 3:00pm ~ 9:30pm daily

Nakheel Metro Station

OFFICIAL VIP MAJLIS SPONSOR

SUPPORTING PARTNER

OFFICIAL CAR

CO-LOCATED

OFFICIAL HOTEL PARTNER

OFFICIAL FEATURE PARTNER

OFFICIAL ENGLISH STATION

OFFICIAL ARABIC STATION

OFFICIAL MAGAZINE

OFFICIAL AIRLINE PARTNER

OFFICIAL PUBLISHER

OFFICIAL COURIER HANDLER

OFFICIAL TRAVEL PARTNER

PEOPLE

Jeff McBride Age: 48 Nationality: American Occupation: Videographer/ Photographer Words By: Bandana Jain Photos Supplied By: Jeff McBride

Who would have thought that aliens really existed? Well not in the way we usually perceive it, but whenever Jeff goes for the plunge into the deep blue he is immediately immersed into a different universe – an alien world if you will allow.

And this unique perspective on the underwater world is what led us to ask him more about it...

What inspired you to start scuba diving and how many years have you been at it?

I remember being very young, watching old Jacques Cousteau documentaries and being enthralled by what I was seeing.

Amazing creatures and beauty in an alien world right here on our own planet! I wanted to see it for myself. It was many years before I actually tried it, but I became certified as an Open Water Scuba Diver in 1992 in the cold waters of Washington State, USA up near Canada. I became an SSI DiveCon (Dive Master) in Oregon in 1996, a NAUI SCUBA Instructor in Okinawa, Japan in 2002 and recently, late last year, a PADI SCUBA Instructor in Thailand.

In which places have you done scuba diving?

Amongst some of the many spots that I have been scuba diving at are in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Okinawa, Borneo, Bali, Sulawesi, Komodo, Andaman Sea in Thailand, Andaman Islands in India, the Philippines, Maldives, UAE and Oman.

Which are the best places for scuba diving in and around UAE?

I’ve only been here for a year, but so far the best places I’ve been and heard about are all on the east coast around Fujairah and in Oman, specifically Damaniyat Islands and Musandam - really nice reefs, relatively healthy corals and in many places lots of fish and other wildlife.

What is the most interesting part of scuba diving?

Being immersed (literally) in an alien environment, exploring places that many will

never see makes scuba diving very interesting! Being weightless – it is like you are flying unaided or being in space without actually going up on a rocket. It’s fantastic!

Each dive is a learning experience for me.

Seeing how different organisms interact with each other underwater is so amazing!

I’m also a photographer, so one of my passions while diving is taking photographs.

Though photography is a real challenge underwater, it is something I greatly enjoy.

It allows me to return with magnificent memories of my dives which I can share and experience with others.

One place in the world where you would love to scuba dive?

Right now, if given the chance to dive anywhere, it would probably be in eastern Indonesia - Raja Empat or the Galapagos Islands off Peru or Cocos Islands off Costa Rica.

Raja Ampat is in an area that is relatively untouched by human activity so the ecosystem is pristine, the wildlife abundant and the conditions just about perfect. Galapagos and Cocos would offer the experience of diving in another pristine (though threatened by illegal fishing) environment with lots of sharks! I happened to meet some great people on a live-aboard dive cruise in the Maldives last year who raved about Cocos and the thousands of hammerheads they dove with. I would myself love to dive with the hammerhead sharks!

Any memorable incident that you would like to share?

We did a night dive with manta rays in Maldives last year. The scene was absolutely magical and it will be one of the greatest and most memorable experiences of my life. Six huge (2-3+ metres across) mantas feeding on krill and plankton swimming and swirling in an underwater ballet right in front of us and just over our heads. The krill were attracted to our lights so the Mantas swooped in very close over and over again sometimes brushing our foreheads with their white bellies and nearly enveloping us with their fins — absolutely incredible. We did

this for nearly an hour before reluctantly bidding farewell and surfacing. On the surface, each person was whooping and hollering with absolute joy. People were still grinning from ear to ear the next morning. It was an incredible experience!

Any words of advice for people who want to try scuba diving?

I would encourage people to give it a go.

It’s safe. One of the things I love most about teaching scuba diving is the reaction of nearly every person after their first dive - pure elation! Most say something to the effect of, “That was the coolest thing I’ve ever done in my life!” It’s a great thrill to be able to facilitate that kind of experience for someone.

My advice is to experience the ocean and see what’s there. Most people will develop a new appreciation for the sea and understand more clearly why it needs to be protected from pollution, climate change, over-fishing and other human-caused environmental damage.

If you do come diving, please respect this magical environment and don’t take or touch anything. Most of the organisms down there are extremely fragile and can be easily damaged or killed. Many take decades to recover from damage. Take only pictures leave only bubbles!

Fit and Fast – Speed and Agility Training Words By: James Sidhu Photos By: Keith Pereña

Cardiovascular training, check.

Resistance exercises, check. Core workout, check. Stretches, check. The average gym-goer’s workout programme probably consists of a varied mix of all these things, which is all good and well, but isn’t there something missing from that list?

Indeed there is and it’s called speed and agility training. This type of training is often overlooked, but it definitely contributes to an important part of your current state of fitness. Naturally, you would find this type of training primarily used in sports that focus on quick, fast-paced movement that requires a high degree of balance and coordination; football, basketball, rugby and tennis are to name just a few, but why should only those engaging in such sports enjoy all the gains from this method of training?

Choosing to improve both speed and agility can offer fantastic benefits, such as: • Being able to move your body with greater finesse.

• Reaction times will become sharper and more explosive.

• Movements will become highly coordinated.

• You will become quicker and generate more speed.

Sounds good, right? So let’s look at how you can integrate this mode of training into your workout regime.

Speed and Agility Equipment

Speed and agility training does not require much equipment, however, a few particulars from the gym will allow you to create more diverse and challenging exercises. Here are two of the best choices which are the easiest to design an exercise with:

simple, refine the basics through easy and non-complex drills first. When your skill has improved, then it is time to get more challenging!

1. Straight Line Shuttle Run It doesn’t get more basic than this; get two cones and place them opposite each other in a straight line. All you need to do is run as fast as possible between each one. You could time yourself do as many lengths as possible within a set period, or, you can just have a pre-determined number of lengths in a set to achieve.

2. Straight Line Cone Weaving This is a little more demanding as now you must weave in and out of a series of cones placed in a straight line; which tests both speed and agility. You want to avoid kicking or scuffing the cones, so coordination is also a factor.

Top Tips

• Push off from the balls of your feet to generate quick acceleration.

• Use your arms to help generate momentum (keep them close to the body).

• Use short and sharp steps when changing direction rapidly.

4. Step In, Step Out (Sideways) This time, the aim is to face the ladder sideon and push forwards to get both feet into a square, then immediately push backwards to get both feet back out. Keep moving through the squares repeating this motion as quick as possible. Again, coordinate the movement and avoid touching/scuffing any part of the ladder.

Top Tips

• Get the technique right before putting on too much speed.

• Like the cone drills; use your arms to help generate momentum.

• Keep your hips square-on and avoid twisting out with the body.

• Stop your body from getting ahead of your feet!

These four exercises are just the tip of the iceberg; there is so much more that can be done with a little creativity. You could mix the cones and ladder together to design a drill that is even more demanding, or, buddy up with a friend and test each other to see who can complete the drill fastest. Speed and agility training is fun as well as effective and could be the last tick on your checklist for total fitness!

1. Cones The cone is simple and effective to use; you can create countless drills with just these alone! The cones are used as markers that you will need to travel to (fast as you can) and can be placed in a straight line, or, in creative patterns to require multi-directional speed and agility.

2. Ladder The ladder is great for footwork drills and developing light/quick feet (or hands!).

Move in-between the rungs quickly in a various styles, such as one foot or two foot runs that can be performed forward-facing or side-facing.

Speed and Agility Drills

Now we have our two pieces of equipment; it’s time to start creating some fun and engaging drills to train with. As always; start

3. One/Two Foot Ladder Run Simple but effective; just run quickly through the rungs (square spaces) of the ladder from one end to the other. Start off by placing a single foot down in each square and then progress to placing two feet in each square, which is more challenging.

James Sidhu Senior Fitness Manager Fitness First Dubai Financial Gate

OUTDOORUAE

59

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

Fitness from Africa

The Need for Speed!

Words + Photos By: Marcel Viljoen

One of my favourite runners from yesteryear is the Czech Emil Zatopek. Known as a notoriously hard worker, at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, Zatopek became the first and almost certainly the only man in Olympic history ever to win the three long-distance events 5,000m, 10,000m and marathon.

What is even more remarkable is that it was the first time he had raced the full marathon distance and did so only three days after winning the 10,000m final!

He won all three events within seven days, and set Olympic records in them all. By the end of that year he held every world record from the 10,000m to the marathon, and in 1954 he added the 5,000m world record as well. All in all he set 18 world records during his career.

Zatopek’s training comprised of interval work based on speed and stamina. His rationale for this type of training was simple: “When I was young, I was too slow. I thought, why should I practise running slow?

I already know how to run slow – I must learn to run fast by practising to run fast”.

In our distance-crazed country here in South Africa, we tend to do the opposite and become frustrated at our forever slowing marathon times. I have heard many a runner remark after a slow marathon or ultra event: “I need to increase my mileage”. The runner would dutifully add another 15-30km per week, to experience similar or even worse results. The irony is that we are doing a fantastic job of teaching our bodies how to be slow!

I have experienced this myself as a result of getting caught up in the mileage hype leading up to the 90km Comrades marathon. In the lead up to my first Comrades marathon in 1998, I came off a speed and track background, and ran a solid time of just under seven hours. Excited about it all, I decided

that I needed more mileage. So I did away with the speed and increased the mileage, or at least tried to. What followed was one injury after another and diminishing results on top of it.

Just as dynamic Springbok coach Jake White remarked that for a successful rugby team you need pure speed on the wings, so too do we need speed to be the best we can be as marathon and ultra marathon runners.

Every year toward the third weekend in November, the Rand Athletic Club in the north of Johannesburg hosts the running of the Tough One 32km road race. As the name indicates it is a very challenging event to say the least! Towards the end of the 2007 RAC Tough One I stood in awe as I saw Olympian and 1,500m specialist Juan van Deventer stride away from some of the top half and marathon runners in the country to win the race by a comfortable margin. In preparation for the Olympics in Beijing at the time, van Deventer had done all the speed preparation one could hope for, and then as part of his off-season training he added a bit of mileage and came away the victor in arguably the country’s most popular 20 mile event!

It’s far easier to add mileage to a program rich in quality, than to add quality to a program high in mileage.

Former world record holder Sebastian Coe’s dad Peter, was quoted as saying that “Why should we drain the life out of a young runner, when you can develop it with quality?”

More recently we also saw how young American runner and Olympic silver 10,000m medallist, Galen Rupp, raced to victory at the US Olympic marathon trials, winning his maiden marathon in 2h11min. Running tactically!

Well known sports researcher, Prof Tim Noakes, says that speed work requires more finesse and understanding than does long, slow distance running as it is more likely to cause injury and physical breakdown.

Having said that, one needs to ease into the world of interval training, yet anticipate new levels of achievement once the adaptation occurs. What makes interval and speed training so beneficial to us as marathon and ultra distance runners? Successful American coach Dr Jack Daniels proposes that there are six physiological processes, each of which needs to be adapted optimally, if the athlete

MARCH 2016 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

is to achieve his or her optimum competitive performance: • Improving the body’s ability to transport blood and oxygen.

• Increasing the ability of the running muscles to use the available oxygen efficiently.

• Raising the lactate threshold to a faster running speed.

• Increasing aerobic capacity and elevating the VO2Max. • Improving running speed.

• Lowering the energy demand of running, i.e. improving running economy.

Starting to recognise a theme here? One or two runners have asked me why they need to do 300 and 400m repetitions if they are ultra marathon runners? The six reasons above explain it very nicely. By enhancing your body’s energy systems and improving running economy, the benefit spills over from track or quality training to 10km racing, to the marathon and eventually to the ultra marathon!

If we have a look at the some of the Comrades greats, we will see that they were all able to do a 10km race in 30min or faster!

By doing so they could tick over at 3m30 per kilometre during an ultra race and hardly extend their effort over 70% of maximum!

In other words, during the first half of the race they may well be surrounded by ten or twenty reasonably talented runners although these guys could be sitting at 80% or full capacity. When they eventually run out of glycogen it’s not a pretty sight. Most of these runners will be reduced to a walk by the time there are still 30km to be run!

So what are the components of speed training? Exercise scientist Pete Pfitzinger describes the five components of training: • Short, fast speed work to improve leg turnover and running form.

• Longer repetitions of two to six minutes at 3-5km race pace to improve VO2Max. • Tempo runs of 20-40min at 15km race pace to improve the lactate threshold.

• Long runs to build endurance.

• Easy recovery runs to allow a maximum effort on the hard training days.

It sounds easy enough although quality training is quite daunting. Many a weekend warrior will rather go out for an easy 10km jog, than to line up for 4 x 1km repeats at 85% intensity with 3min recovery. Many ultra or marathon runners would rather jog an easy 32 km than race an all out 10 km race. Many ultra distance runners would rather do a hilly 25km route than 8 x 300m hill repeats. Many ultra distance runners would rather increase the weekly miles one more time than getting down to some good old sweat and tears on the track.

Many ultra distance runners will achieve amazing things at the standard marathon and the Comrades marathon. Which one will you be this year?

Marcel Viljoen is an online fitness coach and a 2h39min marathon runner.

You can get in touch with him at marcel@fitnessfromafrica.co.za

Brought to you by:

A quick wash and lube for your bike Words By: Stewart Howison | Photos By: Keith Pereña

Although at times it is far easier to just take your bicycle to Revolution Cycles for a quick wash and lube at a fair cost, this can’t be done after every day, where weeks easily go past before your trusty steed is given the attention it deserves. An unclean bike is sometimes the reason for a lot of the creaks and moans you hear when out cycling, and can easily be avoided if the necessary TLC is given to your bicycle.

Lubing the Chain

First, give the chain a few seconds to air off for about five minutes.

Start by coating the inside of the chain while peddling backwards.

Then run the chain through a rag to pick up excess oil and coat the outer links. No need to lube the cassette because the chain will lubricate the working surface for you as it goes through the gear range.

What You Will Need • Trigger Chain Cleaner • Easy Clean Brush Kit • Chain Lube

• Bucket of “Wash and Shine” • Cloth to wipe up mess

Removing Excess Lube

It is very important to remove the excess lubricant to avoid the black build up your bike gets when exposed to the elements.

Remove Rear Derailleur Housing

Shift into the largest cog in the rear, then down shift again toward the smallest ring on the rear without turning the cranks. This relieves the cable tension (which goes into the derailleur) from its cable guides. This only works on frames with exposed cable routings. Do the same for the front derailleur.

Cleaning the Chain and Cassette

Using White Lightning - The Trigger Chain Cleaning System, fit the chain cleaner over the chain and while turning the crank backwards, apply the degreaser liberally. Use an old toothbrush or the White Lightning Easy Clean Brush Kit to scrub away the loosened grime, being sure to give the cassette and chain rings a thorough going-over as well. Once this is done, wipe chain off with a cloth.

Clean and Lube the Cables and Housing

Now that the cable is exposed, clean off any grime that has accumulated and take a light oil/grease and give the cable a light coating along the length of it. This will ensure a good, smooth and crisp shift if your housing and cables are not too far gone.

Fore more info, please call or email: +971 4 3697441 | Info@rcdxb.com

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

MARCH 2016 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

UAE DIRECTORY General Sports Equipment Megastores

Adventure HQ, Dubai Times Square Center, Sheikh Zayed Rd, toll free: 800-ADVENTURE, +971 43466824; The Beach on JBR, Dubai: +971 44304419; Dalma Mall, Abu Dhabi: +971 24456995, www.adventurehq.ae Decathlon, Dubai, Mirdif City Centre, +971 42839392, www.decathlon.com Go Sport, The Dubai Mall: +971 43253595; Abu Dhabi Mall: +971 26454595; Bawabat Al Sharq Mall, Abu Dhabi: +971 25868240, www.go-sport.com 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 43599905, http://en-ae.sssports.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 44569944 or 507035111 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., Dubai +971 44329392 or 44329393, www.dreamdays.ae Dream Explorer LLC, JLT, Dubai, P.O. Box 214576, +971 44563390 www.dreamexplorerdubai.com Dubai Relax Travel, 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, Sheikh 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 42628832 or 4 2686826, 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, +971 5 04920860, mohammed.almahrouky@gmail.com

Air

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

62

OUTDOORUAE

Seawings, Dubai,+971 48070708, www.seawings.ae Skydive Dubai, Dubai, +971 43778888, www.skydivedubai.ae

Boating & Sailing

Manufacturer Al Fajer Marine, Dubai, Al Quoz, +971 43235181, www.alfajermarine.com Al Jeer Marina, RAK border Musandam, +971 72682333 or 504873185, www.aljeerport.ae Al Shaali Marine, Ajman, +971 67436443, www.alshaalimarine.com Al Yousuf Industrial, LLC, +971 4 3474111, www.aym.ae, yamboats@alyousuf.com Elite Pearl Charter, Saeed Tower 1, office #3102, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, +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 or www.artmarinechandlery.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 503419494, www.nautilusyachts.com The Boat House, Al Quoz, Dubai, +971 43405152, www.theboathouse.ae UAEBoats4Sale, Dubai Marina, +971 508446952 or 525682129, 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 or 553899995, www.bluewatersmarine.com Extreme Marine, Dubai Marina Branch, +971 43992995, www.extrememarine-me.com Japan Marine / D1 Marine, WS # 110, Dubai Maritime City, +971 4 4426395 or 55 1666035, www.japanmarine.co Rineh Emirates Trading LLC, Al Quoz, Dubai, +971 43391512, Repairs and Maintenance Extreme Marine, Dubai, Dubai Marina, +971 43992995, www.extrememarine-me.com Rineh Emirates, Sheikha Sana Warehouse 1, Al Quoz, +971 43391512, SNS Marine, JAFZA Techno Park, Jebel Ali, Dubai, +971 501405058, www.snsmarine.ae The Boat House, Dubai, Al Quoz, +971 43405152, www.theboathouse.ae Cruise Operators Al Bateen Marina, Abu Dhabi, +971 26665491 Al Marsa Travel & Tourism, Dibba, Musandam, +968 26836550 or 65441232 Bateaux Dubai, Dubai Creek opposite the British Embassy, +971 48145553 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 Travels and Tourism, Dubai, +971 56 1012599, www.4startravels.com 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 48706668, 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, P.O. Box 411, Khasab, Musandam, +968 93350703, info@tourkhasab.com LY Catamaran, Dubai, www.lycatamaran.com Marine Concept, Dubai, +971 559603030, www.marine-charter-concept.com Nautica1992, Dubai, +971 504262415, www.nautica1992.ae Noukhada Adventure Company - P.O. Box 73373, C/O Ali & Sons Real Estate LLC, Plot No. 29, Abu Dhabi – Al Ain Rd, Um Al Nar, Abu Dhabi, UAE - +971 25581889 www.noukhada.ae RAK Marine LLC, Ras Al Khaimah City Hilton Marina, +971 557934525 or 507682345 Sea Hunters Passenger Yachts & Boats Rental, Dubai Marina, +971 42951011 Sheesa Beach, Dibba, Musandam, +968 26836551, www.sheesabeach.com Smoke Dragon of London Yacht, Abu Dhabi International Marine & Sports Club, +971 507011958 or 504546617 Summertime Marine Sports, Dubai, +971 42573084 The Club, Abu Dhabi, +971 26731111, www.the-club.com The Yellow Boats LLC, Dubai Marina Walk – opposite Spinneys, Intercontinental Hotel Marina, 800892, www.theyellowboats.com Marinas Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club, Abu Dhabi, Breakwater, +971 26815566, www.adimsc.com Abu Dhabi Marina, Abu Dhabi, Tourist Club Area, +971 26440300 Al Jeer Marina, RAK Border, Musandam +971 72682333 or 504873185, www.aljeerport.ae Al Mouj Marina, Muscat, Oman, +968 24534554, www.almoujmarina.com Al Wasl Charter & Fishing, Airport Road, Al Qwais Bldg., Off. 207, Dubai, UAE,

+971 42394760 or 42959477, www.cruiseindubai.com Dubai Creek Marina, Deira, Dubai, +971 43801234, www.dubaigolf.com Dubai International Marine Sports Club, Dubai Marina, +971 43995777, www.dimc.ae Dubai Marina Yacht Club, Dubai, +971 43627900, www.dubaimarinayachtclub.com Dubai Maritime City Harbour Marina, Dubai, +971 43455545 Dubai Offshore Sailing Club, Dubai, +971 43941669, www.dosc.ae Emirates Palace Marina, Abu Dhabi, +971 26907725 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 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 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, www.facebook.com/DubaiDawnPatrol Dubai Diggers, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, pier next to 360, Dubai, +971 501547175, www.dubai-diggers.com UAE Dragon Boat Association, +971 507634008, www.dubaidragonboat.com

Camping & Hiking

Equipment Blingmytruck.com, +971 505548255, www.blingmytruck.com Gulf Camping, Dubai, UAE, +971 551222252 or 502550666, www.gulfcamping.com Jack Wolfskin, Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi, +971 24437802 Tresspass, 2nd floor above ice rink, The Dubai Mall, +971 43398801 Urban Peak, PO Box 9587, Office 502E, Ibn Battuta Gate Offices, Dubai, +971 44548805, www.urbanpeak.com Tour Operators Arabia Outdoors, Dubai, +971 559556209, www.arabiaoutdoors.com Absolute Adventure, Dubai, +971 43926463, www.adventure.ae

MIDDLE EAST’S OUTDOOR, ADVENTURE, TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE Desert Road Tourism, Al Khor Plaza – 503, Dubai, +971 42959428, www.arabiatours.com Libra Travel & Tourism LLC, +971 43397700, www.facebook.com/LibraTravelDubai Mountain High Middle East, Dubai, +971 506595536, www.mountainhighme.com Sheesa Beach, Musandam, Dibba, +971 50336046, www.sheesabeach.com

Caving

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

Climbing

Equipment Adventure HQ, Sheikh Zayed Rd., Dubai Times Square Center, toll free: 800-ADVENTURE, www.adventurehq.ae Barracuda Fishing and Outdoor, Street 13A 1, Al Safa 1, Dubai, +971 43466558, www.barracudadubai.com Global Climbing Trading LLC, Dubai Investment Park 1, Dubai, +971 48829361, www.globalclimbing.com Jack Wolfskin, Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi +971 24437802, www.jack-wolfskin.com Services Absolute Adventure, Dubai, +971 43926463, www.adventure.ae Adventure HQ, Dubai Times Square Center, Sheikh Zayed Rd, toll free: 800-ADVENTURE, www.adventurehq.ae Al Shaheen Adventure, Abu Dhabi, +971 28137444, www.alshaheenme.com Arabia Outdoors, Dubai, +971 559556209, www.arabiaoutdoors.com Dorell Sports Management, Dubai World Trade Centre, +971 43065061, www.climbingdubai.com E-Sports UAE, Dubai, +971 43697817, www.esportsuae.com The Club, Abu Dhabi, +971 26731111, www.the-club.com Information UAE Climbing, +971 506456491, www.uaeclimbing.com

Mountain Biking & Cycling

Equipment/Dealers Bikers JLT, Unit H6, Cluster H, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, UAE, +971 526221888 Cycle Sports, Shop No. 1, Al Waleed Bldg., Al Barsha 1, Dubai, +971 43415415, Fun Ride Sports, 301, 3rd floor, Mushrif Mall, Abu Dhabi, Rm. 4, Mezzanine floor, C-13 Bldg., Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi, +971 24455838, www.funridesports.com Micah’s Bike Shop, Warehouse No.4 6th St. Al Quoz 3, Dubai, +971 43805228 Peak Performance, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Mall, Dubai, +971 43413056 or 43308023 Probike, Dubai, Al Barsha 1, +971 43255705, www.probike.ae Rage Shop, MOE +971 43413388; Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi +971 24437617, Dubai Mall +971 44341549, www.rage-shop.com

64

OUTDOORUAE

MARCH 2016 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

Revolution Cycles, Shop G05, Apex Atrium, Motor City, Dubai, +971 43697441, www.rcdxb.com Ride Bike Shop, Festival City, +971 43395602 www.ridebikeshop.com Sportz Unlimited, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, + 971 43388644 or 43391333 Tamreen Sports LLC, Khalifa Street, Abu Dhabi, +971 26222525, www.tamreensports.com The Cycle Hub, Motor City, Dubai, +971 505528872 or 44256555, www.thecyclehub.com Trek Bicycle Store, Seih Al Salam, Al Qudra Road, Dubai, +971 48327377, www.trekbikes.ae Trikke uPT, Dubai, +971 45081202 or 556096757, www.trikkeme.net Wolfi’s Bike Shop, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, +971 43394453, www.wbs.ae Operator Absolute Adventure, Dubai, +971 43926463, www.adventure.ae, info@adventure.ae Clubs Abu Dhabi Tri Club, www.abudhabitriclub.com Cycle Safe Dubai, Dubai Autodrome www.cyclechallenge.ae Dubai Roadsters, +971 43394453, www.dubairoadsters.com

Diving

Equipment Al Boom Marine, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, +971 42894858, www.alboommarine.com Al Hamur Marine and Sports Equipment, Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai, +971 43444468 Al Masaood Marine, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, +971 43468000, www.masaoodmarine.com Al Yousuf Motors, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, +971 43390621, www.aym.ae/yamaha Blue Waters Marine, +971 43808616, Dubai, www.bluewatersmarine.com Gulf Marine Sports, Abu Dhabi, +971 26710017, www.gulfmarinesports.com Premiers for Equipment, Sheikh Zayed 1st. Road, Abu Dhabi, +971 26665226, www.premiers-uae.com 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 or 502428128 www.arabiandiver.com Arabian Divers and Sportfishing Charters, Al Bateen Marina Resort, Abu Dhabi, +971 506146931, www.fishabudhabi.com Coastal Technical Divers, glenn@coastaltechnicaldivers.com, www.coastaltechnicaldivers.com Deep Blue Sea Diving, International City, Dubai, +971 44308246, www.diveindubai.com Desert Islands, Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE, +971 28015454, www.divemahara.com Divers Down, 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 Zighy Bay, Oman, Musandam, +968 26735555, www.extradivers.info Freediving UAE, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, +971 506130486 contactus@freedivinguae.com, www.freedivinguae.com Freestyle Divers, Al Wasl & Dibba, Royal Beach Hotel, Dubai, +971 43944275, www.freestyledivers.com Fujairah Rotana Resort & Spa - Al Aqah Beach, Al Aqah Beach, Fujairah, +971 92449888, www.rotana.com Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, Dibba Road, Fujairah, +971 92449000, www.lemeridien-alaqah.com

Moonlight Dive Center, Madinat Qaboos, Oman, +968 99317700, www.moonlightdive.com Neptune Diving, +971 504347902, www.neptunedivingcentre.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 506683430, www.bsac406.com Sheesa Beach, Dibba, Musandam, +971 503336046, www.sheesabeach.com Sky & Sea Adventures, Dubai, Hilton, Jumeirah Beach Road, +971 43999005, www.watersportsdubai.com Clubs Atlantis Underwater Photography Club, Dubai, +971 44263000 Desert Sports Diving Club, Dubai, www.desertsportsdivingclub.net Emirates Diving Association, Diving Village, Al Shindagha, Dubai, +971 43939390, www.emiratesdiving.com Filipino SCUBA Divers Club (FSDC), Dubai, UAE, +971 566952421, www.facebook.com/FSDCuae Freediving UAE, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, contactus@freedivinguae.com, www.freedivinguae.com Sharjah Wanderers Dive Club, Sharjah, +971 507840830, www.bsac406.com

Fishing & Kayaking

Equipment Al Boom Marine, Abu Dhabi & Dubai, +971 42894858, www.alboommarine.com Al Hamur Marine and Sports Equipment, Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai, +971 43444468 Al Masaood Marine, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, +971 43468000, www.masaoodmarine.com Al Yousuf Motors, Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Rd, +971 43390000, www.aym.ae/yamaha Arabian Divers and Sportfishing Charters, Al Bateen Marina Resort, Abu Dhabi, +971 506146931, www.fishabudhabi.com Barracuda Fishing and Outdoor, Dubai, Street 13A 1, Al Safa 1, +971 43466558, www.barracudadubai.com Blue Waters Marine, Shop 11, The Curve Bldg., Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, +971 43808616 or 553899995, www.bluewatersmarine.com Challenging Adventure, Wadi Al Bih Ras Al Khaimah, +971 561060798 or 44538386, contactus@challengingadventure.com Global Climbing Trading LLC, Dubai Investment Park 1, Dubai, +971 48829361, www.globalclimbing.com Ocean Active, Dubai, Garden Centre, +971 502898713, www.oceanactive.com Operators Absolute Adventure, Dubai,

+971 43926463, www.adventure.ae Al Boom Diving, Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, Fujairah, +971 43422993 Al Hamra Marina and Yacht Club, Al Hamra, Ras Al Khaimah, +971 72432274, www.alhamramarina.com Al Mahara Dive Center, Downtown Abu Dhabi, +971 501118125, www.divemahara.com Al Wasl Charter & Fishing, Airport Road, Al Qwais Bldg., Off. 207, Dubai, UAE, +971 42394760 or 42959477, www.cruiseindubai.com Al Shaheen Adventure, Abu Dhabi, +971 26429995, www.alshaheenme.com Al Wasl Charter & Fishing (Al Wasl Passenger Yachts and Boats Rental LLC), Airport Road, Al Owais Building, Dubai, +971 42394761, www.cruiseindubai.com Arabian Divers and Sportfishing Charters, Al Bateen Marina Resort, +971 506146931, www.fishabudhabi.com Arabia Outdoors, Dubai, +971 559556209, www.arabiaoutdoors.com Barracuda Diving Centre, Fujairah International Marine Club, +971 503366224 Belevari Marine, Abu Dhabi, +971 26594144 Captain Tony’s, Yas Marina, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, +971 26507175, www.captaintonys.ae Fun Beach Water Sports, Dubai, +971 507050433 or 506947764, www.seaworlddsf.com Happy Days Sea Cruising LLC, Dubai, +971 558961276 or 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, +971 504592259, www.oceanactive.com Sheesa Beach, Dibba, Musandam, +971 503336046, www.sheesabeach.com Soolyman Sport Fishing, Umm Suquiem, Fishing Port No. 2, Jumeirah Beach, +971 508866227, 508866228 or 503402379, www.soolymansportfishing.com Summertime Marine Sports, Dubai, +971 42573084, www.summertimemarine.com Xclusive Yachts, Dubai, Dubai Marina, +971 44327233, www.xclusiveyachts.com Clubs Abu Dhabi Camping, Fishing & Kayaking Club, mohamed.almahrouky@gmail.com Dubai Surfski & Kayak Club, Kitesurfers’ Beach, Umm Suqeim 1, Dubai, +971 554986280, www.dskc.hu

General Sports Equipment Distributors

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

MIDDLE EAST’S OUTDOOR, ADVENTURE, TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE 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 Highbury Trading, Dubai, www.highburytrading.ae Jack Wolfskin, Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi, +971 24437802 Ocean Sports FZE, +971 559352735, www.kitesurfsup.com Picnico General Trading, near Sharaf DG Metro Station, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, +971 43951113 Portable Shade UAE, Jebel Ali, Dubai, UAE, +971 508897125, www.portable-shade.net Sport in Life Distribution, Nad Al Hammar Rd., Ras Al Khor, Dubai, UAE, +971 42896001 or 42896002, info@sportinlife.ae, www.sportinlife.ae Tresspass, The Dubai Mall 2nd floor above ice rink, +971 43398801

Wild X, Dubai, Um Al Ramoul Industrial Area, +971 42852200

Motorcycling

Horse Riding

Equipment Al Asifa Horse Equestrian & Requisites Trading, Al Khawaneej 1, Dubai, +971 554733110, www.asifa.ae Black Horse LLC, Abu Dhabi, +971 26428338, www.blackhorseuae.com Bonjour Equestrian Supplies, Nad Al Hammar Rd., Ras Al Kho, Dubai, UAE, +971 42896001, +971 42896002, info@bonjourequestrian.com, www.bonjourequestrian.com Cavalos Equine Care and Supplies, 16th Street, Al Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi, +917 22222433, www.cavalosuae.com Emirta Horse Requirement Centre, Sheik Zayed Rd., Dubai, +971 43437475, www.emirtahorse.com Equestrian Clubs/Centres Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Al Mushrif, Abu Dhabi, +971 24455500, www.adec-web.com Al Ahli Riding School, Al Amman Street, Dubai-Sharjah Rd., +971 42988408, www.alahliclub.info Al Forsan International Sports Resort, Abu Dhabi, +971 25568555, www.alforsan.com Al Jiyad Stables, Behind Dubai International Endurance City, Dubai, +971 505995866, info@aljiyad.com, www.aljiyad.com Al Sahra Desert Resort Equestrian Centre, Dubai, +971 44274055, equestrian.centre@alsahra.com Desert Equestrian Club, Mirdif, Dubai, +971 503099770 or 501978888 Desert Palm Riding School, Near Al Awir Road (going to Hatta-Oman), Dubai, +971 43238010, www.dubaipoloclub.com Dubai Polo Academy, Dubai, +971 508879847, www.dubaipoloacademy.com Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, Dubai, Arabian Ranches, +971 43618111, www.poloclubdubai.com Emirates Equestrian Centre, Dubai, +971 505587656, www.emiratesequestriancentre.com Ghantoot Polo & Racing Club, Exit 399, Abu Dhabi/ Dubai Highway, Abu Dhabi, +971 25629050, www.grpc.ae Golden Stables Equestrian Club, Al Khawaneej, Dubai, (Nouri) +971 555528182, Hoofbeatz, located just inside the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, Dubai, +971 569424551, www.hoofbeatz.com Mushrif Equestrian and Polo Club, Mushrif Park, Al Khawaneej Road, Dubai, +971 42571256, www.mushrifec.com Rahal Ranch, Al Wathba Racing Area, Abu Dhabi, +971 506229004, 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

MARCH 2016 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

Jebel Ali Racecourse, off the main Abu Dhabi - Dubai Highway (Sheikh Zayed road) beside the Emirates Golf Club, Dubai, +971 43474914 Meydan Grandstand and Racecourse, Al Meydan Road, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, +971 43270000, www.meydan.ae Sharjah Racecourse, Al Dhaid Road, Sharjah, +971 65311155, www.serc.ae

Jet Ski Dealers

Al Masaood Marine, Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, +971 43468000, www.masaoodmarine.com Al Yousuf Motors, Sheikh Zayed Rd., Dubai, +971 43390621, www.aym.ae/yamaha Japan Marine General Trading, Al Garhoud Road, Liberty Building, Dubai, +971 44426395, uday@japanmarine.jp, www.japanmarine.co Liberty Kawasaki, Interchange 4, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, +971 42822114, 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, www.alshaalimoto.com Al Yousuf Motors, Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Rd, +971 43390621, www.aym.ae/yamaha Golden Desert Motorcycles Just Gas It, Hatta Rd., Al Aweer, Dubai, UAE, +971 561379323, www.JustGasIt.net KTM, Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, exit 42, +971 4323151, www.ktm.com Liberty Kawasaki, Interchange 4, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, +971 42822114, www.libertykawasaki.com Motoventure, Hobbies Club, Al Awir, Hatta Road, Dubai, +971 555437392, www.motoventure.net mxDubai, Al Ain Road Dubai, +971 55 2090832, www.mxdubai.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 26441478, www.polarisuae.com Rental (Rental), Dubai-Hatta Road, Dubai, +971 551532550, www.goldendesert-dubai.com Sebsports, Al Quoz Industrial Area 1 Dubai, +971 43393399, www.sebsports.com Wild X Adventure Shop, Dubai, +971 48321050 Equipment Desert Road Tourism, Al Khor Plaza – 503, Dubai, +971 42959429, www.arabiantours.com Sandstorm Motorcycles (Rental), Al Quoz, Dubai, +971 43395608, Sebsports, Dubai, Al Quoz Industrial Area 3, +971 43393399, www.sebsports.com 2XWheeler, Motorcity Dubai, +971 44548388, www.2xwheeler.com

Distributors and Dealers Al Yousuf Motors, Sheikh Zayed Rd., Dubai, +971 43390621, www.aym.ae/yamaha Ducati, Al Salam Street, Abu Dhabi, +971 24918593, www.ducati.ae Duseja 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, Interchange4, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, +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, Workshops and Services Al Forsan International Sports Resort, Abu Dhabi, +971 25568555, www.alforsan.com Dubai Autodrome, Dubai, +971 43678700,www.dubaiautodrome.com Emirates Motorplex, Umm Al Quwain, +971 67681166 2xWheeler Adventures, Dubai, +971 44548388, www.alainraceway.com Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, www.yasmarinacircuit.com

Off-Road

Dealers Bling My Truck, +971 503634839 or 505548255, info@blingmytruck.com, www.blingmytruck.com 4x4 Motors LLC, Shk. Zayed Rd, Dubai, +971 43384866, www.4x4motors.com Liberty Automobiles, Dubai, 800 5423789, www.libertyautos.com Repairs and Services AAA Service Centre, Al Quoz, Dubai, UAE, +971 4 2858989, www.aaadubai.com Icon Auto Garage, Dubai, +971 43382744, www.icon-auto.com Mebar Auto, Al Quoz, Industrial Area 2, Dubai, UAE, +971 43469600, www.mebarauto.com Off Road Zone, Dubai, Al Quoz, +971 43392449, www.offroad-zone.com Saluki Motorsport, Dubai, +971 43476939 www.salukimotorsport.com Equipment Advanced Expedition Vehicles, 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 or 505548255, www.blingmytruck.com Heartland UAE, Al Mafraq Industrial, Abu Dhabi, +971 569796524 or 506472447, www.heartlanduae.com Icon Auto Garage, Dubai, +971 43382744, www.icon-auto.com Mebar Auto, Al Quoz, Industrial Area 2, Dubai, UAE, +971 4 3469600, www.mebarauto.com Wild X Adventure Shop, Dubai-Hatta Road, Dubai, +971 48321050, Yellow Hat, Nad Al Hamar, and Times Square Center, Dubai, +971 42898060, www.yellowhat.ae Tour Operators Arabian Adventures, Dubai & Abu Dhabi, +971 43034888, www.arabian-adventures.com Desert Road Tourism, Al Khor Plaza – 503, Dubai, +971 42959429, www.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, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, +971 43468000, www.masaoodmarine.com Kitesurf Dubai, Kitesurf Beach, Umm Suqueim and Jumeirah 3 +971 505586190, www.kitesurfdubai.ae Picnico, Al Fairdooni Building, Sheikh Zayed Road, Near Sharaf DG Metro Station and Mall of Emirates, +971 43951113 Surf Dubai, Umm Suqeim, Dubai, +971 505043020, www.surfingdubai.com Surf Shop Arabia, Building 1, Al Manara Road (East), Interchange 3, Dubai, +971 564716180, www.surfshoparabia.com Surf School Arabia, +971 556010997, www.surfschoolarabia.com UAE Kite Surfing, +971 505626383, www.ad-kitesurfing.net Distributors Kitepeople Kite & Surf Store, International City, Dubai, +971 504559098, www.kitepeople.ae Ocean Sports FZE, +971 559352735, www.kitesurfsup.com Operators Al Forsan International Sports Resort, Abu Dhabi, +971 25568555, www.alforsan.com Dubai Kite Surf School, Umm Suqeim Beach, Dubai, +971 504965107, www.dubaikitesurfschool.com Duco Maritime, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi, +971 508703427, www.ducomaritime.com Dukite, Kitesurf Beach, Umm Suqeim, Dubai,+971 507586992, www.dukite.com Kite Fly, Dubai, +971 502547440, www.kitesurf.ae Kitepro Abu Dhabi, Yas Island and Al Dabbayyah, Abu Dhabi, +971 505441494, www.kitepro.ae Nautica1992, Dubai, +971 504262415, www.nautica1992.ae Shamal Kite Surfing, Umm Suqueim Dubai, +971 507689226, www.shamalkitesurfing.com Sky & Sea Adventures, Dubai, Hilton, Jumeirah Beach Road, +971 43999005, www.watersportsdubai.com Surf School UAE, Umm Suqeim Beach and Building 1, Al Manara Road (East), Interchange 3, Dubai, +971 43791998, www.surfschooluae.com Watercooled, Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa, Dubai, +971 48876771, www.watercooleddubai.com Water Cooled, Watercooled Sports Services LLC, Hilton Beach Club, Abu Dhabi, +971 26395997, www.watercooleduae.com Clubs Abu Dhabi Stand Up Paddle, www.abudhabisup.com UAE SUP AND SURF ASSOCIATION, www.facebook.com/UAE-Sup-and-SurfAssociation-358311720952873/

Water Parks

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

Other leisure activities

Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, + 971 25588990, www.adgolfclub.com

OUTDOORUAE

65

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

MARCH 2016 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM

Al Tamimi Stables, Sharjah, +971 67431122 or 44370505, www.tamimistables.com Blokart Sailing, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, +971 556101841, www.blokartme.com Children’s City, Creek Park Gate No.1, Dubai, +971 43340808, www.childrencity.ae Dolphin Bay Atlantis, Dubai, +971 44260000, www.atlantisthepalm.com Dubai Dolphinarium Dubai, Creek Park Gate No. 1, +971 43369773, www.dubaidolphinarium.ae

iFly Dubai, Dubai, Mirdif City Centre, +971 42316292, www.iflyme.com Sadiyaat Beach Club, Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, +971 25578000, www.sbgolfclub.ae Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club, Sharjah, +971 65487777, www.golfandshootingshj.com SkiDubai, Dubai, Mall of the Emirates, +971 44094000, www.skidxb.com Spacewalk Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, +971 26577777

Health, Safety & Training

+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, 800 ORTHO (67846), www.orthosp.com The Physio Center, Suite 405, Building 49, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai, +971 44370570, www.physiocentre.ae

OMAN DIRECTORY

Sultanate of Oman, +968 26836550, www.almarsamusandam.com Al Sawadi Beach Resort, P.O. Box: 747, Barka - Al Sawadi, Oman, +968 26795545, www.alsawadibeach.info Diving UAE & Oman, www.dive-uae-oman.com Euro Divers CAYC Oman, Marina Bandar Al Rhowda, P.O. Box: 940, Muscat, Oman, +968 97899094, www.euro-divers.com Extra Divers Musandam, PO Box: 498, PC 811 Khasab, Musandam, Oman, +968 99877957, www.musandam-diving.com Global Scuba LLC, +968 24692346, www.global-scuba.com Khasab Divers, Oman, +968 99883345, www.khasabdiver.com

Omanta Scuba Diving Academy, Al Kharjiya Street, Al Shati Area, Muscat, Oman, +968 99777045, www.omantascuba.com Oxygen Diving and Adventures, P.O. Box: 1363 PC130 Alazaiba, Muscat, Oman, +968 92537494 or 9723 2661, www.o2diveoman.com Seaoman, P.O. Box: 2394, RUWI PC 112, Oman, +968 24181400, www.seaoman.com Sub Aqua Dive Center, Hilton Salalah Resort, P.O. Box: 699, Salalah 211, Oman, +968 23211234, www.subaqua-divecenter.com

P.O. Box: 117, Postal Code 421, Bediyah, Ghabbi, Oman, +968 99310108, www.safaridesert.com

Moon Light Dive Center, P.O. Box: 65, Madinat Qaboos, Muscat Oman, +968 99317700, www.moonlightdive.com Nomad Ocean Adventures, +968 26836069, Dibba, Oman; Fujairah, +971 92449444, www.discovernomad.com Oman Dive Center, Muscat, Oman, +968 24284240, www.omandivecenter.com Oman Dive Center Resort, PO Box: 199, Medinat Sultan Qaboos, Oman, +968 24824240, www.omandivecenter.info

Stand Up Paddeling, Kite & Surfing, Wakeboarding

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

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

Adventure tours and desert safaris

Bike and Hike Oman, P.O. Box 833, Ruwi, Postal Code 112, Oman, +968 24400873, www.bikeandhikeoman.com Dolphin Qasab Tours, PO Box: 123, P.C. 811, Khasab City, Musandam, Oman, +968 26730813, www.dolphinkhasabtours.com Go Dive Oman, Capital Area Yacht Club (CAYC), Sidab Muscat, +968 97899094, www.godiveoman.com Khour Shem Tourism, Oman, +968 91713449, www.khourshemtours.com Nomad Tours, PO Box: 583, Postal Code 100, Muscat, Oman, +968 95495240, www.nomadtours.com Oman Trekking Guides, PO Box: 917, NIZWA, Oman, +968 95741441, http://omantrekkingguides.tumblr.com

Diving

Equipment Al Marsa Musandam, PO Box: 44, Dibba,

QATAR DIRECTORY Adventure tours and desert safaris

Al Mulla Travels, P.O. Box: 4147, Doha, Qatar, +974 44413488, almullatrvls@qatar.net.qa Alpha Tours, P.O. Box: 13530, Doha, Qatar, +974 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, P.O. Box: 45677, Doha, Qatar East Marine, West Bay, Doha, Qatar, +974 55200078 E2E Qatar Travel and Tours, PO Box: 23563, Doha, Qatar, +974 44516688 or 444515995, www.e2eqatar.com Falcon Travels, PO Box: 22031, Doha, Qatar, +974 44354777, www.falcontravelqatar.com Gulf Adventures, 29, P.O. Box: 18180 Qatar, +974 4315555, www.gulf-adventures.com Net Tours Qatar, P.O. Box: 23080, Doha, Qatar, +974 4310902, www.nettours.com.qa Regency Travel & Tours, +974 44344444, www.regencyholidays.com Qatar Adventure, P.O. Box: 13915, Doha, Qatar, +974 55694561, www.qataradventure.com Qatar Inbound Tours, P.O. Box: 21153, +974 77451196, www.inboundtoursqatar.com Qatar International Tours, P.O. Box: 55733 Doha, Qatar, +974 44551141, www.qittour.com Qatar Ventures, Doha, Qatar, +974 55776679, www.qatar-ventures.com

Clubs

Cycling, Running & Triathlon Doha Sailing Club, Katara Beach +974 44439840 or 55649995 Qatar Chain Reaction, www.qatarchainreaction.weebly.com

OUTDOORUAE

Camping & Hiking Tour Operators Safari Desert Camp,

Equestrian Clubs/Centres Al Shaqab, P.O. Box: 90055, Doha, Qatar, +974 44546320, www.alshaqab.com Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club, Racing and Equestrian Club, P.O. Box: 7559, Doha, Qatar, +974 44935183, www.qrec.gov.qa

+974 44435626 Doha Sub Aqua Club, Doha Sub-Aqua Club, PO Box: 5048, Doha, Qatar, +974 50483794, www.dohasubaquaclub.com Extreme Adventure, P.O. Box: 33002, Shop 3, 4 Ahmed Bin Ali Street (Bin Omran), Doha, Qatar, +974 44877884, www.extreme.qa GoSport, City Centre Mall, 3rd Floor, Qatar: +974 44631644; Villagio Mall, Qatar: +974 44517574, www.facebook.com/gosport.qatar Pearl Divers, P.O. Box: 2489, Doha, Qatar, +974 44449553, Poseidon Dive Center, Ras Abu Abboud Street, Al Emadi Suites, Showroom #2, P.O. Box: 11538, Doha, Qatar, +974 66084040, www.pdcqatar.com Poseidon Dive Center, Ras Abu Abboud Street, Al Emadi Suites, Showroom #2, P.O. 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 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, P.O. Box: 16657, Doha, +974 553199507, www.qatarmarine.net Qatar Scuba Centre, 187 Al Mansoura Street, Al Mansoura Area, Doha, Qatar, +974 66662277 or 44422234, www.qatarscubacenter.com Qdive Marine Center, P.O. Box: 16657, Doha, Qatar, +974 44375065, www.qdive.net World Marine Centre, Old Salata Street, near the Qatar National Museum, Doha, Qatar, +974 55508177

Diving

Fishing & Kayaking

Qatar Sandstromers, +974 77775207 or 77776634, www.facebook.com/ QatarSandstormers Velostar Doha, https://www.facebook.com/ groups/587539064642288/ Doha Bay Running Club, www.dohabayrunningclub.com TriClub Doha, www.triclubdoha.com

General Sports Equipment Megastores

Galaxy Sport, City Centre Mall, 3rd Floor, Qatar: +974 44822194; Villagio Mall, Qatar: +974 44569143; Ezdan Mall, Qatar: +974 44922827, The Pearl(Parcel 9) +974 40027513, Souq Jabor +974 44430322.

Office: +974 44417935, www.galaxysportqatar.com GO Sport Qatar, City Centre Mall, 3rd Floor, +974 44631644; Villaggio Mall, +974 44157463, www.facebook.com/gosport.qatar Sun & Sand Sports Qatar, City Centre Mall, +974 44837007; Dar Al Salam Mall, +974 44510179; Mustafawi Exhibition, +974 44935183, en-ae.sssports.com

Boating & Sailing

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

Horse Riding

Equipment/Centres Al Fardan Marine Services, Najma Street (near Al Fardan Exchange), Doha, Qatar,

Add your free listing to the 66

Safety Lessons Marine Concept Yacht Charter & Sea School, Rania Business Centre, Dubai, +971 559603030, www.marine-charter-concept.com Safety & Leisure Training Middle East, Dusseldorf Business Point, Al Barsha 1, Dubai, +971 48879958, www.sltme.com Sport and Health Centres Bespoke Wellness, Dubai,

Equipment Al Kashat, Fishing and Hunting Equipment, Souq Waqif, next

Caving

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

Fishing & Kayaking

Boating & Sailing

Manufacturer Saphire Marine, PO Box: 11, Post Code 118, Muscat, Oman, +968 99877243, www.sapphire-marine.com to the Falcon Souq, +974 70057489 Al Mamzoore Marine Equipment, P.O. Box: 6449,Old Salata, Doha, Qatar, +974 44444238, almamzoore@qatar.net.qa Extreme Adventure, Shop 3,4 Ahmed Bin Ali Steet, Doha, +974 44877884, www.extreme.qa Fish World, P.O. Box: 1975, Doha, Qatar, +974 44340754 State of Qatar (QatarSub), Souq Waqif, next to the Falcon Souq, +974 4431234, www.stateofqatar.com Operators Paddle Qatar, +974 55490895, www.paddleqatar.com

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, Flo Kite School, Westbay, Doha, +974 33155628, www.flokiteschool.com Kitesurfing Qatar, +97430179108, www.kitesurfingqatar.com QSUP, Qanat Quartier, Costa Malaz, The Pearl-Qc, Doha, Qatar, +974 66602830, www.qsup.me

Cycling (Road & Off Road)

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

ONLINE DIRECTORY

FROM AED

38,999

INDIANMOTORCYCLEGCC.COM

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

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

MUSSAFAH M4, Sector 13, 10th Street Tel: +971 2 5555144

MOVE FAST, MOVE WITH FREEDOM, AND KEEP YOUR COOL–THAT’S THE POWER OF GHST.

GHST tops weigh 40% lighter than standard run tops.

Revolutionary X LITE PRO knit structure makes them exceptionally soft and breathable, while ICE X fabric reflects UV rays and reduces skin temperature. The ultimate fitness apparel to help you stay cool and comfortable in warm weather training.

LIGHTNESS. PERFORMANCE ELEVATED.

Distributed by Sport In Life Distribution +971 4 289 6001 | info@sportinlife.ae | sportinlife.ae