1 BloKarting
A hybrid of karting and windsurfing, BloKarting is the most fun you can have on four wheels without an engine. If the wind is right, you can really pick up some speed on these nifty little modes of transportation.
Lessons take place at Meydan, Dubai. Dhs125 (20 minutes), Dhs275 (one hour). To book, call Dreamdays on 800 2080 or see www.dreamdays.ae.
2 Be a passenger in an F1 car
Hop into a specially-converted Formula 1 two-seater car for an experience that involves pelting around Yas Island’s race track at speeds of up to 300km per hour. Brace yourself to feel G-force of up to 5G.
Dhs11,500 per person. Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi (800 927).
3 Dirt biking
Rent a bike and go it alone or sign up for a tour with an experienced guide, ranging from a half-day to four-day adventure in remote areas across the UAE and Oman. Just getting started?
Beginner off-road lessons are available for Dhs700 for two hours. Dhs550 half day rental, guided tours from Dhs1,050 for a half day. Emirates Bike Tours, various locations (050 466 9615).
4 Karting
Get a head start on your racing future. Yas KartZone is the ideal place for kids and adults to enjoy motorsports. Whether looking for some playful competition between friends or to bring the family together for quality time on the track, karting is a fun-filled, action-packed experience. Children aged eight to 12 can take part with Kids Karts and Senior Karts are available for those 13 and up. The fleet can reach up to 70km/hr, so it’s the perfect introduction to motorsports in a high-energy atmosphere. The beauty of karting is that you don’t have to be a professional racer to get into it, beginners are welcome, and you’ll quickly get a taste for the track. Before you know it, you’ll be cutting corners like an expert.
Kids are Dhs55 and Adults are Dhs110 for 15 minutes, Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island (800 927).
5 Aston Martin GT4
Want to really get out there and burn up the race track? The Aston Martin moves fearlessly like a race car, light on its wheels, this vehicle navigates sharp corners with ease and crosses a straight with the swiftness of a cougar. The interior has been modified from its road-friendly counterpart to suit professional racing needs, with racing seats, an additional instrument panel, protection bars and plastic windows. Built in an entirely separate factory by racing specialists, the GT4 combines a powerful 4.7-litre V8 engine with sleek curves, high-acceleration and sophisticated performance. These cars are beautiful to look at and brilliant fun to drive.
Dhs1,500, Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island (800 927).
6. Mercedes AMG
Who do you know that’s been in an actual F1 safety car? A Yas AMG Passenger Hot Lap is a world exclusive! Yas Marina Circuit has not one but two SL63 AMG’s which served as the safety cars in the inaugural Formula 1 2009 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina circuit. This is a one off chance to put yourself in the shoes of the officials on race day. Hold on to your seat while the masterful V8 catapults you around the circuit.
Dhs825, Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island (800 927).
7 Quad biking
This one has a rep for attracting crazier personalities. Most operators offer the choice of a sunset excursion, when the landscape takes on an almost magical setting. Desert Rangers are just one of a number of operators available.
Dhs400 for an hour of quad biking per person (with transport), Dhs550 for an hour quad biking with dinner, www.desertrangers.net (050 276 8111).
8 BMXing
There’s a popular skate park on the Corniche so take your bike down and show others what extreme sports are all about. You’ll need a keen sense of balance, plenty of courage and a strong dislike of skateboarders and inline skaters.
Abu Dhabi Skate Park is located on the Corniche at Markaziyah Park West. Link up with Abu Dhabi Skaters on Facebook to find fellow streetsports fans www.facebook.com/abudhabiskaters.
9 Sandboarding
Put your balance and boarding skills to the test with a day on the dunes. Shooting down the orange slopes at high speed is worth the inevitable mouthful of sand when you face-plant at the bottom – and prepare to work your quads as you trudge your way back to the top of the dune.
From Dhs250 per person. Desert Rangers, pick up from various locations (050 276 8111).
10 Skydiving over Palm Jumeirah
Freefall over the Palm Jumeirah from 13,000ft (a little under half the average cruising altitude for an aeroplane) after leaping from one of SkyDive Dubai’s aircraft. After roughly 60 seconds, the parachute will be popped for a relatively relaxing descent back to solid ground.
Dhs1,750 per person for tandem jump, including videographer. SkyDive Dubai, Dubai Marina (050 153 3222).
11 High-altitude training
Favoured by endurance athletes, high-altitude training – or hypoxic training – offers a tough, breathless workout, even if you’re only walking. It’s designed to help individuals shed body fat, increase muscle mass, improve fitness levels, lower blood pressure and improve stamina.
Dhs4,500 for 12 sessions, Dhs5,000 for 15 sessions, Dhs6,000 for 20 sessions. The Quay Club, Madinat Jumeirah (04 406 8534).
12 Paintballing
There’s nothing like a little mock combat, especially if you’ve got scores to settle with your colleagues or friends. There are rules to the game, however, and while you might fancy yourself as Arnie, remember those paintballs hurt at close range.
Armed Forces Officers’ Club & Hotel, www.afoc.mil.ae (02 441 5900).
13 Mountain biking
Experienced mountain-bikers with the right equipment are advised to find out where Hot-Cog are heading for the weekend. The group, led by Andy Whitaker, take on rough and ready terrain around Abu Dhabi and Dubai most Fridays. Free.
To find out where they’re heading next, see the Facebook page (search for ‘hot-cog-mtb’) or give Andy a call on 056 170 8087.
14 Climbing
Anyone interested in taking full advantage of Dorell’s The Wall, needs to take eight hour-long lessons to be able to climb casually. Having taken the eight-lesson course, climbers can also go on Dorell’s climbing excursions, which take place intermittently, with locations determined according to demand.
Dhs650 (eight lessons). The Wall, Wold Trade Centre Dubai (04 306 5061).
15 Hiking
Want to climb a wadi on foot and get buns of steel too? Hiking or trekking is a great way to explore the UAE’s rugged natural landscape in locations such as the Hajar Mountains, without the aid of 4WDs (and it’s possibly the only legit excuse you’ll have to wear boots in the UAE).
From Dhs350 per person for a half-day trip. Absolute Adventure, www.adventure.ae (04 345 9900).
16 Dune bashing
Join a desert safari to experience the thrills of dune bashing: tummy-turning swerves, side-skidding and sand-scuffling before the 4×4 vehicle you’re travelling in is dangled nose-first down a vertical slope.
Dhs295 per person. Desert Rangers (050 2768 111).
17 Snowboarding
It may not be the Alps, but Ski Dubai’s slope is the closest you’ll get to Whistler in the desert. If you’re already a pro, then test out the jumps and rail-slides (be careful!). Those who want to learn can pay for lessons, which will take you from sitting to standing in an hour.
Dhs180 (for two hours on the slope). Dhs150 (for a one-hour Discovery Lesson). Ski Dubai, Dubai (800 386).
18 Wadi Adventure
Wadi Adventure is making waves in the UAE – literally and metaphorically. This is the Middle East’s first man-made white water rafting, kayaking and surfing facility, with a surf pool that generates three metre high waves every 90 seconds. Based at Jebel Hafeet, with its rope corase, climbing wall and zip line, this is must-visit for water sporters.
Dhs50 for children, Dhs100 for adults, additional fees for activities. Wadi Adventure, Al Ain www.wadiadventure.ae (03 781 8422).
19 Shooting guns
Load the cartridge, slot it into place, take aim and squeeze the trigger. To live out your cinematic fantasies head to this 25m shooting range.
Armed Forces Officers’ Club & Hotel, www.caracalshooting.ae (02 441 6404).
20 Kitesurfing
There is no traditional surfing to be had in Abu Dhabi (and little in the UAE for that matter), but kitesurfing is becoming popular. In practice it is closer to wakeboarding than surfing, except that the rider is pulled by a kite rather than a motorboat. A stretch of beach along Yas Island West is the main hangout for kitesurfers in the city, although it can get crowded at the weekends.
Lessons start around Dhs300 per hour. Visit www.ad-kitesurfing.net for details of instructors, equipment hire and locations to surf.
21 Indoor skydiving
Not willing to jump out of a plane? Don’t blame you. But even the cowardliest acrophobes can enjoy SkyVenture’s vertical wind tunnel. Powerful fans create a massive up-draught, physically lifting you off your feet and holding you in mid-air. Having mastered just floating (it’s not as easy as it sounds), you can then experiment with all sorts of flair tricks and skills.
Abu Dhabi Country Club (02 446 3653).
22 Ferrari World’s Formula Rossa
The fastest rollercoaster on the planet fires you out of the starting gate at speeds of 240kph: you’ll get to experience a G-force of 4.8, squishing you into your seat and squeezing the air from your lungs. Yes, you will dribble, but we guarantee you’ll disembark with a huge grin plastered across your face.
General admission Dhs225 (adults), Dhs165 (kids under 1.6m tall). Open Tue-Sun 11am-8pm. Ferrari World, Yas Island www.ferrariworldabudhabi.com (02 496 8001).
Where to get your gear
Adventure HQ
This dedicated outdoor adventure specialist stocks equipment for all manner of thrilling pursuits, from hiking to off-roading and everything in between. There’s also a ‘chill chamber’ designed for testing gear designed for cold conditions.
Times Square Center, Sheikh Zayed Road (04 346 6909).
Go Sport
Though primarily trading in sportswear, this chain of shops also stocks protective gear for heads, knees, elbows and more, plus a variety of accessories suitable for activities such as trekking and kayaking.
The Dubai Mall (04 325 3595).
Sun and Sand Sports
The ever-changing variety of clothing, bikes, accessories and equipment in this store means it’s worth popping in to see if they have what you’re looking for, before you hand over more money than you need to elsewhere.
Marina Mall (02 681 4477).
Hypermarket
By all accounts, the Hypermarket store on the corner of Najda Street and Electra Street has a whole floor dedicated to equipment for outdoor pursuits, at some of the best prices you’ll find in and around the city.
Najda Street (02 633 1177).
