The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix might be over for another year but there’s still plenty going on in Yas Marina.
Has anyone else noticed the F theme at Yas Island? Once home to just Ferrari World and Formula One, it’s now the place to go for Film Fridays, free drinks or to see the new fountain.
When marina management firm Camper & Nicholsons Marinas opened Yas Marina in 2009, it had 143 berths and little else. Fast forward four years and it has now expanded to 192 berths, a 34 percent increase.
The expansion has led to some exciting changes, transforming the marina from a little-known harbour into a go-to destination.
These changes were introduced just in time for the 2013 Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix earlier this month.
Yas Marina’s general manager, Cedric Le Rest, says, ‘We wanted to transform the marina into a buzzing destination, so as well as increasing the number of berths, we’ve added a 230m promenade, a new children’s play area, a fountain kids can play in and five new dining options ranging from the affordable to the luxury.’
Cedric has ambitious plans for the future. ‘We want to turn the marina into a year-round destination, so we have a new schedule of weekly events – Wednesday is ladies’ night, kids can watch films on Fridays and we have a new Saturday market. We have a host of special events, too. Coming up you can try water sports and meet Father Christmas arriving not down a chimney, but in style
– on a boat.’
Ladies’ night runs from 5pm-midnight and each venue has its own offers, such as Cipriani’s and Iris’ free bubbly and Diablito’s complimentary Spanish punch, all from 7pm-9pm. Since its launch on November 15, Film Fridays gives parents a break as their kids watch free Disney films 7pm-9pm on child-sized chairs on the grass near the fountains. Starting on November 23, on Saturdays, 25 stalls – mostly local businesses – will line the promenade 10am-2pm, selling handicrafts, clothes and organic food.
That’s not all. Cedric adds, ‘We have big ideas for 2014, too. We’ll be focusing on wellbeing and launching a gym, so watch this space.’
Date for your diary
For the fourth year, TriYAS, the region’s only day-to-night triathlon, will return to the island on February 28, 2014. As with previous years, the challenge begins with a swim in Yas Marina during daylight hours, a quick change in the Formula One pits, followed by a bike ride and run under the floodlights of the Formula One circuit at night. The highlight is the last 2km stretch along the Yas Marina, under the Yas Viceroy hotel, to the finish line.
Kids aged 11-14 can compete in the Junior Duathlon category, which is a 5km cycle and 1.5km run, 15-17-year-olds compete in the same category but do a 11km cycle and 3km run, and over 17s can take part in the Sprint, a 750m swim, 22km cycle and 5km run on their own or as part of a team. Over 17s can also take part in the Olympic category, which involves a 1,500m swim, 44km cycle and 10km run, which can be divided up between a team – or hardcore fitness fanatics can do the challenge alone.
To pre-register, email TriYAS@ymc.ae. For details, visit www.yasmarinacircuit.com.
Stuff for kids
The marina’s been designed with everyone in mind, so kids haven’t been forgotten. A shaded playground has just opened next to Yas Channel, decorated with seahorse, shell and crab sculptures made from papier mâché and recycled drink cans by local children. Tucked away from the deafening roar of the nearby Yas Marina Circuit, the play area has a fence, CCTV and soft sponge floor, making it a safe haven for little ones as they play on the park’s slide, climbing net and tire swing.
Children can also play in a new fountain overlooking the marina. At 10m at its highest point, it’s no Dubai Fountain, but it’s lit up at night and accompanied by Arabic and Western music. Next to the fountain is an oversized outdoor chess set which costs nothing to play.
Plans in the pipeline
•On Friday December 13 from noon-9pm the marina will host Splash, an all-day water sports event. Wakeboarding and paddleboarding taster sessions will last 20 minutes and cost around Dhs30 – although at the time of writing the price was yet to be confirmed.
•On Friday December 14 from 6.30pm-8pm the marina’s Christmas tree lights will be switched on, and on December 21 from 10am-7pm there will be a Christmas market on the marina promenade. There will be carol singing, mince pies, a chance to buy last-minute stocking fillers and a visit from Santa.
•On Tuesday 31 December from 10am-7pm, go along to watch 40 teams battling it out in a dragon boat race in Yas Channel, just outside the marina. Later on, each venue will host its own New Year’s Eve events.
Plane sailing
Take off from Yas Marina on an aerial tour of Abu Dhabi in a seaplane with Seawings Abu Dhabi. You’ll soar 1,000ft above the marina in a plane designed for just nine people. Captain Stephane Landry has been flying with Seawings for two years. He says, ‘Tours take 30-45 minutes. On the 30-minute tour you’ll see Emirates Palace while the 45-minute flight takes you to Dubai Creek and Mall of the Emirates – we throw in Dhs150 vouchers and give you four hours shopping time, then road transfers back to the marina. You can fly over Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque on special request. My tip? Pay a bit extra for the premium seat, next to the pilot. It’s worth it.’ The 30-minute flight costs Dhs995 shared, Dhs8,000 private charter, while the 45-minute flight costs Dhs1,450 shared, Dhs13,050 private.
To book visit www.seawings.ae (04 807 0708).
Push the boat out
Annual berths cost from Dhs16,455. This includes berthing during the Grand Prix for an eight-metre vessel and guest passes for the race – you get one pass per metre so the bigger your boat, the more passes you get. You’ll get a marina valet parking pass during the race weekend, too – handy when parking spaces are nowhere to be seen. The service also includes a marina discount card, two Flash concert tickets, a Seawings seaplane flight ticket and invitations to exclusive members-only cruising club events.
For details visit www.cnmarinas.com.
Ahoy there matey
Got yacht envy? Then book onto a boat tour or hire one for the day, and pretend you own it – just remember to don a captain’s hat so no one guesses.
•Charter your own boat with Azure Marine and set sail aboard a 24m wooden Turkish Gulet. The marina’s a short boat trip away from 200 uninhabited islands, so you can take your pick. Prices start from Dhs350
per person for a sunset tour, while a private charter costs Dhs2,500 per hour with a minimum of four hours. For details visit www.azurecharters.com (050 600 8443).
•Take your pals on a chartered sunset cruise with Captain Tony’s. Full-day private cruises come with boat transfers, barbecues on local islands and sandbanks and a captain. Private charters start at Dhs2,000 for a 1.5-hour cruise on a 27ft boat and go up to Dhs5,500 per hour for a luxury 70ft yacht. Shared charters start from Dhs150 for a 30-minute cruise around the mangroves, Dhs250 for a 1.5-hour day time or sunset cruise, Dhs350 for a four-hour Island Beach Tour and Dhs600 for the Dolphin Bay Eco Tour. www.captaintonys.ae (050 781 9642).
•In the mood to buy a boat? SNS Marine sells new and second-hand yachts www.snsmarine.ae (050 140 5058). You can buy sailing and watersports equipment at MTM Marine www.masaood.com/content/MTM-Marine (02 565 1100).
