The first Zapcat in the United Arab Emirates was introduced to the country’s shore during the Dubai International Boat Show in 2006. Originally from South Africa, Zapcat developed from life saving surf rescue craft and designed to cope with a huge variety of sea conditions from flat calm lakes to large breaking surf.

Zapcat were created as life saving vessels because they were fast and could cut through a variety of sea conditions. Today, the Zapcat has evolved into a powerful machine used for racing. The design of the hull is in catamaran style, and they can reach speeds of 55 miles per hour. Now fifty-five doesn’t sound a lot, but on water, fifty-five miles an hour offers quite a rush. Zapcat crews and passenger must wear crash helmets, life jackets and wetsuits. Wetsuits are important to prevent your bones getting broken you and will fall out of the boat and hit the water.

On November 2007, Abu Dhabi, the capital of United Arab Emirates hosted the first Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Festival in conjunction with the 7th round Round of UIM F1 Power Boat Grand Prix. The festival activities included a host of beach and water sports for veterans and amateurs, young and old, local and internationals, consisting of the UAE Wakeboarding Championship, Zapcat series racing, the Abu Dhabi Open Water-ski and hot-air ballooning.

Zapcats have been around for several years and United Arab Emirates is ideal for Zapcat and other water sport for recreation or competitions. Today, there are tour companies and hotels in UAE that offer Zapcat services for recreation to their guests. You can also see Zapcats racing at the Dubai Creek to the vast ocean of UAE.

Last update: 10-08-2008 10:16

Windsurfing in United Arab Emirates is one of the most popular pastime- recreational surface water sport in the country, along with sailing of course. Windsurf board commonly called a sailboat is used in this activity. The sailboat is two to five meters long and powered by a single sail. Unlike a rudder-steered sailboat, a windsurfer is steered by the tilting and rotating of the mast and sail as well as tilting and carving the board.

Windsurfing is an athletic sport activity; it includes speed sailing, slalom, course racing, wave sailing, superX, and freestyle as distinct disciplines. Though windsurfing is possible in winds from near 0 to 50 knots, the ideal planning conditions for most recreational sailors is 15-25 knots, with lighter winds resulting in displacement mode sailing.

Although windsurfer is considered to be the same with sailboat in some manners, windsurfer offers experiences that are outside the scope of any other sailing craft design. A windsurfer holds the world speed record for sailing craft and, windsurfers can perform jumps, inverted loops, spinning manoeuvres, and other "freestyle" moves that cannot be matched by any sailboat.

Windsurfing boards and gear include either shortboards or longboards. Longboards were usually longer than 3 meters, with a retractable daggerboard, and were optimized for lighter winds or course racing. Shortboards were less than 3 meters long and were designed for planing conditions. However, this classification by length has become obsolete, as new techniques, designs, and materials have taken the sport in new directions.

Lessons can be taken with a school. With coaching and favourable conditions, the basic skills of sailing, steering, and turning can be learned within a few hours. Competence in the sport and mastery of more advanced manoeuvres such as planing, carve gybing (turning downwind at speed), water starting, jumping, and more advanced moves can require lengthy practice.

Windsurfing in United Arab Emirates particularly in Dubai has taken its step forward with many enthusiasts by forming clubs and associations. If you have your own boats or boards you may join Dubai Offshore Sailing Club and Jebel Ali Sailing Club. Also, most of the beach hotels in United Arab Emirates offer windsurfing activities  for their guests.

Last update: 10-08-2008 10:15

Author: Robert

Over time the sport of skiing has evolved and changed quite a bit. There are skiers that want small and soft wakes while wake boarders prefer big wakes that allow them to launch into big aerial maneuvers. This is why it is important you buy the right ski boat for your needs so that you don't waste your money buying a boat that won't match with your preferred ski sport.

Last update: 18-05-2008 09:51

Wakeboarding in United Arab Emirates is becoming a popular surface water sport in the country. This sport was developed through some combination techniques of water skiing, snowboarding and surfing. During wakeboarding the person will use a wakeboard over the surface of a body of water behind a boat.

In a typical speed of 18-24 miles per hour, the rider is towed behind a boat -depending on water conditions, rider's weight, board size, and most importantly, the rider’s personal preference. Wakeboarding can also be performed on a variety of media including closed-course cables and winches.

Boards are buoyant, with the core usually consisting of foam mixed with resin and coated with fibreglass. Metal screws are inserted to attach bindings and fins. There are many things to consider in choosing the boards. The rocker, length, width, bottom design fins and placement affect the capacity or performance of your wakeboarding.  For example certain manoeuvres and techniques in wakeboarding sometimes require different placement of fins or different bottom designs.

There are many clubs and organizations that offer wakeboarding in United Arab Emirates. Some beach clubs in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, has wakeboarding meet ups. Otherwise most beach hotels in Dubai also offer this activity to their guests.

Last update: 10-08-2008 10:15

Author: Robert

When it comes to wakeboarding the first thing you will need to consider is what type of equipment to you’ll need. Often people will choose to go to the nearest sporting goods store and buy the cheapest wakeboarding package available. 

   

Last update: 19-05-2008 15:47

Author: Brue Baker

In the past decade wakeboarding has emerged as one of the most prominent water sports. The sport continues to develop with professionals trying new tricks and getting more air every year. 
 

Last update: 18-05-2008 13:46