DUBAI // When he wants to escape the heat, Osama Shihad Fitoria attaches a huge kite to his waist, slides his feet into surfboard straps and sets sail for The World islands or the surf around the Palm Jumeirah.
"There is a much nicer breeze out there and the water is cooler," says Mr Fitoria, 27, a kitesurfing coach.
Kitesurfing in the summer months presents a burning dilemma: the wind is consistent but so is the heat.
Whether along the coast or farther out, however, enthusiasts have to bear a fair bit of scorching sun and sand, as getting into the water with all the equipment can take a good 15 minutes.
First, users must pump up the kite and unravel the lines from the bar before they can get into the harness.
"When standing on the sand in the beating sun it can be really tough," says Dan Lecot, 27, of France. "The sweat just rolls off you and your feet are burning."
Mr Lecot, an engineer, took up kitesurfing this year and is just coming to grips with his new kite.
"It takes a while to get everything set up," he says. "I hope the better I get at it, the quicker I'll be."
The Gulf winds are most consistent in August.
"I thought there would be no wind during the summer but obviously I was wrong," Mr Lecot says.
Kites vary in size. They can be as small as 6 metres for high winds but spans of 10 to 15 metres are more common.
As with any outdoor activity during the summer months, keeping oneself hydrated is key to survival and to longer stints on the water.
Kitesurfers commonly carry backpacks equipped with a long tube attached to water bottles.
Mr Lecot bought his pack last year for long-distance running and hiking. "When I bought it, I didn't know I would be out hanging on to a kite in this heat," he says.
Mr Fitoria, who has lived in various parts of the world, says the heat and wind are unique to this region. He says not all of his students are diligent in taking precautions against sun damage.
"You can wear sunglasses and a hat, and before they start most slap on the sun cream," he says. "Even some people I've seen who have taken all the precautions have gone completely red.
"I'd bring them back to the shade or put them in my car and turn the air conditioning on. If you're not used to the heat and out at midday, it can be potentially dangerous."
The consistent wind keeps Mostafa Al Hussaini, 28, an Emirati, out on the water every day.
"It's best if you stay out of the water when the sun is at its hottest, between 12 and 2pm," Mr Al Hussaini says.
August winds will reach an average 15 knots every day, he says. Most kitesurfers will not bother to go out if the wind is less than 10 knots.
"There's always a sea breeze. It's ideal for people not used to the heat," Mr Al Hussaini says.
He tackles the heat the same way as everyone else, covered with sun cream and with the water pack strapped to his back.
"Some people like to inflict this damage on themselves," Mr Al Hussaini says. "Not everybody can go out in the middle of the UAE summer and survive. You see guys running on the beach every Friday and Saturday."
Once the wind dies down, the temperature soars. Then everyone makes a beeline back to the comfort of their air-conditioned cars after the kites are deflated and packed away.
On a recent Saturday the wind died in the afternoon. The colourful kites fell from the sky and the surfers bobbed in the water before dragging the kites back to the shore.
The sport has grown: there is a dedicated kitesurfing stretch on Jumeirah Beach in Dubai, and in Abu Dhabi kitesurfers take to the shallow waters around Yas and Saadiyat islands.
"The water is warm but it's hard to notice the heat because of the breeze on the water over your body," Mr Lecot says.
"There is so much to watch out for when kitesurfing, the least of my worries is the heat."
eharnan@thenational.ae
Last week, we looked at people who run long distances in the summer heat to stay in shape. Next week, we will hear from cricketers who do not let the heat stop them enjoying their sport.
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
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Five expert hiking tips
- Always check the weather forecast before setting off
- Make sure you have plenty of water
- Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
- Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
- Take your litter home with you
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
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if you go
The flights
Fly direct to Kutaisi with Flydubai from Dh925 return, including taxes. The flight takes 3.5 hours. From there, Svaneti is a four-hour drive. The driving time from Tbilisi is eight hours.
The trip
The cost of the Svaneti trip is US$2,000 (Dh7,345) for 10 days, including food, guiding, accommodation and transfers from and to Tbilisi or Kutaisi. This summer the TCT is also offering a 5-day hike in Armenia for $1,200 (Dh4,407) per person. For further information, visit www.transcaucasiantrail.org/en/hike/
Results
6.30pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner: Barack Beach, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
7.05pm: Handicap Dh170,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Way Of Wisdom, Connor Beasley, Satish Seemar.
7.40pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Woodditton, Connor Beasley, Ahmad bin Harmash.
8.15pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Secret Trade, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
8.50pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Mark Of Approval, Antonio Fresu, Mahmood Hussain.
9.25pm: Handicap Dh165,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Tradesman, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
MEDIEVIL%20(1998)
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The distance learning plan
Spring break will be from March 8 - 19
Public school pupils will undergo distance learning from March 22 - April 2. School hours will be 8.30am to 1.30pm
Staff will be trained in distance learning programmes from March 15 - 19
Teaching hours will be 8am to 2pm during distance learning
Pupils will return to school for normal lessons from April 5
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A Cat, A Man, and Two Women
Junichiro Tamizaki
Translated by Paul McCarthy
Daunt Books
THE SPECS
Aston Martin Rapide AMR
Engine: 6.0-litre V12
Transmission: Touchtronic III eight-speed automatic
Power: 595bhp
Torque: 630Nm
Price: Dh999,563