Atlantis slide propels swimmers through shark lagoon

A new water slide in a Dubai offers brave swimmers a 27.5 metre drop and a ride through a shark-filled lagoon.

An Atlantis Palm employee tests the Leap of Faith water slide.

DUBAI // It takes a steady nerve to step out of the equivalent of fifth-storey window - even if you are assured of a soft and watery landing. That is what you face if you try the Leap of Faith water slide with its 27.5 metre vertical drop at the new Atlantis resort. Lifeguards at the Aquapark have been given the task of testing the ride and it is not a job for the fainthearted. After its sheer plunge you are sent speeding down a clear acrylic tunnel that goes through the heart of a shark-filled lagoon. Dropping a total of 61 metres in a matter of seconds, it is said to be the tallest, fastest free fall slide in the Middle East.

Among the resorts other attractions will be Shark Attack, which will spin riders into the blackness of the park's giant tower before jettisoning them into the lagoon. The Stinger, The Falls and Shamal are hi-tech inner tube slides that create a water roller-coaster, propelling riders on jets of water up and down around the park. The US$1.5-billion (Dh5.5bn) resort is a joint venture between Kerzner International and Istithmar, which is owned by the Dubai Government. The 46-hectare complex, based on a similar project by Kerzner in the Bahamas, will include one of the largest open-air marine habitats in the world as well as several water parks. Up to 65,000 sea creatures will be on show. It is not only the lifeguards working hard to make sure everything is ready for the opening day on Sept 24.

Chefs are tasting their final menus and Mark Patten, the head of culinary, has the enviable job of ensuring every dish meets the standards of the Michelin Star chef Michel Rostang. The Atlantis will employ some 520 chefs and have 17 major restaurants. The hotel was in the spotlight last week when a fire broke out that damaged the dome on the outside of the lobby. It is an additional headache for Kerzner, which is adamant the hotel will open as planned.