Roland Lefevre
As a popular holiday Mecca for tourists Abu Dhabi offers adrenalin junkies and water sports fans a host of exciting activities. Here are some must-try highlights for thrill seekers touring Abu Dhabi.
Tipped to be one of the most exciting activities on offer at Yas Waterworld Flowboarding is an engaging sport which allows visitors to experience surfing in an entirely new light. Available at the Rush Rider enclosure the activity reverses the conditions of surfing with water gushing towards participants balancing themselves upon a flotation board. Maintaining balance is the key to Flowboarding as one must strive to remain on the board.
A truly unique experience available to vacationers exploring Abu Dhabi the act of JetLev Flying is a gravity defying sport that can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages. Available at the Ghantoot Marina's Gulf Water Sports hub the experience is akin to flying above the water on one's own personal jetpack. Described as the first activity of its kind in the country a backpack made of carbon fiber is connected to a hose of 10m while an engine resembling a Jet Ski engine is attached to the other end. The engine shoots water in to the hose which propels the wearer of the jetpack 10m in to the sky at a speed of 40km an hour.
Perfect for those who wish to surf in a pool instead of the ocean wave riding is one of the most popular experiences on offer at the Al Ain Wadi Adventure Watepark. The wave generating pool at the park is 150m in length and offers mammoth waves that are more than 3m in height while floaters can try classic surfing moves such as the Eskimo Roll and other daring acrobatics in the safety of a pool environment.
Ideal for adrenalin junkies large and small the Liwa Loop is a jaw-snapping waterslide that is the first of its kind in the whole of the Middle East. As the region's premier looping water slide this 260 foot apparatus at Yas Waterworld propels participants from a height of 16.5m at adrenalin pumping speeds of up to 64km an hour.
Taking waterskiing to new heights cable skiing is not for the faint of heart as this modified form of waterskiing involves being dragged by a vaulted cable instead of a sailing boat. Reaching speeds of up to 38km an hour the activity is available at the Al Forsan International Sports Resort where not one but two lakes are on hand to experience the mind-blowing activity.
Considered the perfect stepping stone to wakeboarding knee boarding is wakeboarding on your haunches. Equally exciting and thrilling as wakeboarding the steady ride offers participants a more pleasant ride than when standing on the wakeboard as kneeling provides more overall support.
Home to some of the Middle East's most colourful underwater gardens and a plethora of marine species Abu Dhabi is the perfect holiday destination to indulge in the joys of scuba diving. Available at luxury resort villas in Abu Dhabi those based at the Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Yamm Villa Resort can also learn the basics of the water sports and gain certification while on holiday. Night diving sessions are also organized by the hotel which offers a comprehensive diving lessons package for its guests.
