The Daily Telegraph - Saturday - Travel
More of a thrillseeker than a sunbather?
Dubai isn’t just about luxury hotels and shops – it’s packed with activities, too, writes Sarah Hedley Hymers
From walking on water to being catapulted out to sea in a human slingshot, the emirate’s spectrum of sports and activities is designed to give you an adrenalin rush. So, get off your sun lounger and have a go – if you think you’re brave enough.
ZIP THROUGH DUBAI MARINA
See Dubai Marina like you’ve never seen it before – from a bird’s eye perspective – by whizzing down the XLine. It’s probably not for you if you’re afraid of heights; this zipline’s launch platform is 558ft high and at more than half a mile (800m) in length, it’s the longest urban zip line in the world. Zipliners travel at speeds of up to 37mph from Amwaj Towers to Dubai Marina Mall, passing the famous twisted Cayan Tower on the way.
XLine (00971 4 346 0003; xdubai. com/experiences), Dubai Marina. From AED650 (£137) per person.
TREE-SURF THROUGH NATURE
According to a recent study by the University of Regina in the United States, spending just five minutes in the great outdoors can reduce stress and create feelings of well-being. Just think what three hours’ surfing through trees could do – then get yourself along to Aventura. Dubai’s only treetop playground, laced with rope courses and ziplines, is set in the midst of a natural ghaf tree forest. The drought-tolerant species became the national tree of the UAE in 2008, making it the most politically correct greenery around.
Aventura (00971 52 178 7616; aventuraparks.com), Mushrif Park. From AED133.33 (£28) per person.
GET A JUMP ON PARKOUR
Born of military obstacle course training, parkour is the art of quickly traversing challenging terrains using the force of one’s own body. The aim is to hurdle, climb and jump from A to B with the grace of Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible. This pursuit has become an art form as gymnastic jumpers have recorded their endeavours against edgy urban backdrops and loaded their films to YouTube. Needless to say, Dubai has a dedicated parkour training facility.
Parkour DXB (00971 58 982 1251; parkour.ae), Al Quoz. From AED130 (£27) per person for a drop-in class.
1, 2, 3, JUMP… OUT OF A PLANE
If you’re the sort of person who finds falling through the sky at speeds of more than 120mph fun, then Skydive Dubai will suit you just fine. No previous experience is required as novice daredevils are securely attached to an instructor for tandem jumps. You just need to smile for the camera. (In addition to your strap-on chaperone, a “camera flier” will join you to record your stunt.) When you see yourself floating over the unmistakable outline of Palm Jumeirah, you may be glad they did. Skydive Dubai (00971 4 377 8888; skydivedubai.ae), Mina Seyahi. From AED2,199 (£459) per person for a tandem skydive with an instructor, plus photos and video.
WALK ON WATER
The latest watersports sensation making a splash in Dubai is jetboarding. Your feet are placed in wakeboard-like boots and locked on to a jetboard attached via a long hose to a personal watercraft that powers the board; its rider is the instructor. Reaching heights of more than 30ft above water, boarders claim the distance feels like twice that. Those who laugh in the face of vertigo should book an introductory lesson at Searide Dubai. Franky Zapata, the inventor of the Flyboard and the Hoverboard, is a regular there. They’ll have you walking on water within an hour.
Searide Dubai (00971 55 157 8393; searide-dubai.com), Jumeirah 1 Fishing Harbour. From AED315 (£66) per person.
SKI IN THE DESERT
Skiing on real snow in a desert emirate that’s never even seen a white Christmas is a novelty that never gets old – but it does get cold, so pack warm attire if you’re planning on trying this one. Ski trousers, jackets, boots, helmets and skis or boards are provided, but pom-pom hats are not.