Surfing in Abu Dhabi

While Abu Dhabi is surrounded by water, surfing isn’t the predominant sport you’ll notice out at sea. Despite the few sightings however, there are city dwellers who are enthusiasts of this pastime along with its inherent dangers and thrills.

The UAE has several areas where surfers of different levels can enjoy the sport. Saadiyat Island offers some decent waves on very windy days and there are two main beaches in Dubai; one in front of JBR and the Sheraton Hotel, and Sunset Beach at Jumeirah Beach Hotel where surfers congregate.

Beaches in Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah also host some waves during the year. While decent months to surf are from September to June, summer months can bring large waves to Fujairah, but you have to check the wind factor before heading out there.

We caught up with Said Metwalli, the counsellor and trade commissioner for the Abu Dhabi and Qatar Australian Embassies who spends his free time riding the big blue.

Having surfed all over the world, how do you find decent waves in Abu Dhabi?
When I first moved to Abu Dhabi I really missed the surf in Sydney. I soon found a decent outlet for my energy at the Wadi Adventure wave pool in Al Ain. It’s what I call ‘Le Big Mac’ wave; it’s not a succulent steak grilled to perfection, but it is the same mechanically perfect burger every time, with guaranteed satisfaction! The staff there are super-friendly as well. When the winds are high there are also some decent waves on Saadiyat Island.

What is the best advice you got from a fellow surfer?
The best advice was from Julian and Jason at the Surfection store in Mosman, Sydney. They both said, ‘Get rid of all your surfboards, and take this Blak Box.’ The biggest mistake most surfers make is to get short and thin surfboards made for pros. As soon as I started surfing a wider, thicker and more buoyant board my surfing improved tremendously.

Can you tell us about some cool marine life that has caught a wave with you?
At my local beach in Manly, Sydney, I had two dolphins jump out of the water in front of me and they surfed the same wave. And there was this one occasion in knee-high sloppy conditions at Saadiyat Island here in Abu Dhabi where I was teaching a friend how to surf when something surfaced out of the water as I was catching a wave. It was a small sting ray that breached the water and surfed the same wave next to me! It shows that even when the waves aren’t great, being in the water is therapeutic and fun nevertheless.

What board do you recommend a beginner to start with?
Get a foam long board, similar to the ones you see in surf schools. It’s not the most attractive or cool board, but it is the safest and best learning board to start with before you work your way up. Once you’re confident and comfortable, then you can go for a Mini Mal, then a hybrid fish, then a short board, then a gun for bigger waves. The other advice is to go on beach breaks that are beginner-friendly.

Are you interested in doing the sport competitively?
Never. I love the concept of being at one with the ocean; competing would simply take away the essence of surfing. Instead, I volunteer as a team leader for the Disabled Surfers Association (www.disabledsurfers.org) where we take disabled children and adults and get them to surf. You finish tired, but with a huge smile that lasts for days.
Practise your surfing at Wadi Adventure, www.wadiadventure.ae.