You might not be the only one in your family looking to try something new this year. If your kids are tired of their old activities we’ve rounded up some of the hottest programmes slated to start new sessions in early 2014.
Swimming
If your little one is keen to make a splash in 2014, then the new term at Hamilton Aquatics Swimming Academy starts in February. Hamilton Aquatics teaches swimming to children ages three and up. Its Aquapop programme for children age three-five teaches confidence in the water, including exercises such as blowing bubbles and how to move through the water. As children get older, they learn individual strokes as well. Classes take place once a week for 30 minutes, and hold between five and ten students. Sessions last 19 weeks and cost Dhs65 per week. If your guppies can’t wait until February though, they can join the current session.
Various locations. To sign up for either session email abudhabi@hamiltonaquatics.ae.
Gymnastics
Little Stars Gymnastics club is the place for your tumbling tot in 2014. The gymnastics school begins a new term on January 5, 2014. Children aged 18 months to 18 years can learn the basics of gymnastics in classes of 20 broken down by age and experience. Classes are offered Saturday to Thursday, and children can sign up for as few as one class per week, although more advanced students may enrol in more. Tuition depends on class level and times per week, starting at Dhs600 for the youngest group for one session per week. The term runs until March 28.
Enroll by visiting Little Stars Gymnastics Club, Vision Private School Gymnasium, Al Mushrif, www.littlestarsabudhabi.com (050 781 0635).
T.C. Athletics
Tomorrow’s Olympians will hit their stride in 2014 with T.C. Athletics’ Track and Field Training, starting on January 6, 2014. The juniors will participate in track events including the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, and 1,500m, and practice shot put, javelin, discus, long jump, triple jump and high jump. The junior group ranges from 7-12, where children are divided into groups by age. Each group contains no more than 12 children. The term lasts for ten weeks and is open to students of all levels. There is also a senior track group for ages 13 and up. The programme costs Dhs450 for one session per week and Dhs800 for two sessions per week. Sessions are held on Mondays 5pm-6pm and Saturdays from 10am-11am.
Various locations. Sign up by emailing abudhabiathletics @gmail.com, www.esportsusa.com (050 225 7024).
Basketball
Get your kids on the court in 2014 with MPAC Basketball. The new 13-week term starts on January 5. Open to children aged 5-18, MPAC offers three levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced, so students who have no background in basketball are welcome. Kids are split into three age groups: five-seven, 8-11, and 12-18, ages 5-11 practice for one hour and ages 12 and up practice for 90 minutes. Parents can enroll their child for practice once or twice a week, and then the MPAC academies play each other in games on the weekends. Groups are capped at 20 students with two coaches per class. The cost for ages 5-11 is Dhs1,240 for one practice per week and Dhs1,950 for two per week. For ages 12-18, the cost is Dhs1,465 for one session per week and Dhs2,470 for two sessions per week. For new students there is a fee of Dhs350, which covers apparel and registration.
Various locations (050 142 9330).
Dance classes
Little ballerinas will be tickled pink with the new classes starting on January 4 at Expressions of Dance. Offering classes in ballet, hip hop, modern jazz, tap and Irish dancing, Expressions teaches children up to the age of 12. Children are separated into three groups by age – two and a half-four and a half, five-eight, and 9-12. Expressions also offers Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) classes, which follow an international standard of ballet education for students that are more committed to practicing. Classes are offered once per week except for RAD classes which meet twice a week. There is a maximum of 15 students per class and sessions run for three months. Prices for the January term will range from Dhs795 to Dhs1,095 depending on the programme.
ADCB Building, Al Muroor. To enroll, email dance@expressions-dance.net or visit www.expressions-dance.net (02 493 0115).
