Last update: 10-08-2008 10:16

Last update: 13-05-2008 11:37

Parkour in United Arab Emirates is considered to be non-existent. However, there are youths and enthusiasts in the country who are trying to bring parkour or free running into the UAE scene. As defined by David Belle, the founder of parkour-  parkour is the art of moving through your environment as swiftly and effectively as possible using only the human body.

More broadly it might be defined as the discipline of developing the physical and mental capacity of the human being while through training to overcome obstacles. Parkour practitioners are referred to as traceurs, or traceuses for females.

Parkour is often miscategorised as extreme sport or as a sport since it is a physical activity that is difficult to categorize. This activity has no no set of rules, team work, formal hierarchy, or competitiveness. However, parkour resembles the art and discipline of ancient martial arts of self defence.

An important characteristic of parkour is efficiency which involves avoiding injuries short and long-term, part of why parkour's unofficial motto is être et durer (to be and to last). Those who are skilled at this activity normally have an extremely keen spatial awareness.

If you are looking for parkour enthusiasts in United Arab Emirates, you may check www.uaeparkour.moonfruit.com the only parkour website in the UAE and join their forums and activities.

Last update: 10-08-2008 10:16

Free running in the United Arab Emirates is not as popular as the other adrenaline sports. Well, not yet.  The term free running has been in use since at least the early 1980s when it was used to describe a more adventurous form of jogging where the runner would incorporate a variety of movements transforming a jogging session into a more demanding, enjoyable and expressive physical experience. Jumping and tacking obstacles, rolling, and a variety of stretching movements would be used to break the regulated physical patterns of movement involved in basic running/jogging.

Free running is a physical art, in which participants (free runners) use the urban and rural areas to perform movements through its structures focused on freedom and beauty. It incorporates efficient movements from parkour, adds aesthetic vaults and other acrobatics, such as tricking and street stunts, creating an athletic and aesthetically pleasing way of moving. It is commonly practiced at gymnasiums and in urban areas that are cluttered with obstacles.

Free Running has grown to be descriptive of a sort of "cousin" activity to Parkour - Free Running is more expressive and creative in nature, with moves such as acrobatics, flips, and spins added for flair, creativity, or just because someone wants to.

The main difference then between Parkour and Free Running is that Parkour is defined by purpose "get somewhere quickly and efficiently using the human body", and Free Running is defined by the activity or art of moving through your environment however you want, moving your way, following your own path.

Free running in the United Arab Emirates might be another sport to look forward to for extreme enthusiasts; however, this sport should be to experience during winter time and not on summer.

Last update: 10-08-2008 10:16

Last update: 28-04-2008 18:14

Road or endurance cycling in United Arab Emirates is a very popular sport particularly in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE where The Abu Dhabi Cycling Race of Champions are expected to have been held annually for at least five years. This event is organized by Unipublic Kenzay and Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority.

Endurance or road cycling is the most common form of cycling. This sport is usually completed for recreation, racing and utility cycling. Road cycling takes place primarily on paved surface or roads. Experienced road cyclists generally obey the same rules and laws as other vehicle drivers and they are often referred to as vehicular cyclists.

The types of bikes that are being used on the road are BMX bikes, high end road bikes with the road bicycle being the most common type. In the context of utility cycling, road cycling fulfils various purposes including commuting and also general transport for work, e.g., bicycle messengering and leisure.

Road or endurance cycling in United Arab Emirates can be fun and at the same time a challenging sport. This activity is more challenging if you are cycling during the month of June when summer is approaching. One of the best and challenging places to experience cycling in the UAE is at the Jebel Hafeet Road, Abu Dhabi. Yearly road cycling competition, every January is organised by The Jebel Hafeet Mercure Challenge for local cyclists. .

Last update: 10-08-2008 10:16