Stand-up paddle-boarding
Stand-up paddle-boarding is one of the UAE’s fastest growing water sports. If you’ve never tried it, our milder winters are the perfect time to enjoy this exhilarating activity. Combining surfing with kayaking, it’s a great way to enjoy your surroundings while getting a fantastic full-body workout, making it a favourite pastime for athletes as well as fun-seekers.
All you'll need is a board and paddle, which you can hire at various locations, including Surf House Dubai at Sunset Beach (www.surfingdubai.com), Ignite at The Palm's Riva Beach Club (www.ignitesurface.com) and SUP-Fit at Eden on The Palm, where you can combine a paddle with a free beach workout class (www.oceanmanuae.com).
In the capital, Hydromarine offer lessons and tours around Abu Dhabi's Eastern Mangrove Lagoon National Park (www.hydromarinesports.com), and if you're looking to join a social group of paddle enthusiasts, Abu Dhabi Stand Up Paddle runs regular events, though you'll need to bring your own equipment (www.abudhabisup.com). Rentals are usually about Dh100 for one to two hours, or about Dh200 for the entire day.
Hiking
After a long claustrophobic summer indoors, the lure of the outdoors is irresistible and, thankfully, there is no shortage of wadis, mountains and desert to explore under our more forgiving winter sun. From the East Coast Road to the foothills of Ras Al Khaimah, you don’t need to venture too far off the beaten track to find a host of hiking trails for all abilities. And if you’re a seasoned hiker, routes such as Jebel Hafeet offer some pretty challenging (though stunningly beautiful) terrain.
It’s always advisable to hike with a guide, group or an organised tour, especially if you’re a novice, and for most trips, sturdy hiking boots are a must, as well as food, maps, a compass, a first aid kit, sunscreen and at least three litres of water per day.
There are a number of groups offering organised hikes, including Absolute Adventures, which runs a one-day Scenic Village trek through the Hajar Mountains (www.adventure.ae, Dh595).
UAE Trekkers offers regular training treks around Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with a focus on building endurance in a sociable and friendly environment. Its winter hikes explore the local region, while in summer, trips venture farther afield to Georgia, Mt Kilimanjaro and Everest Base Camp.
Running
Only the bravest or most dedicated runners would consider pounding asphalt during summer, but during the cooler months, our pavements, parks and running tracks are usable once again. There are plenty of options to choose from, most notably the 14-kilometre Jumeirah Corniche, which runs from the Burj Al Arab to Dubai Marine Beach Resort near Jumeirah Mosque. Its cushioned, springy track is kinder on the joints, and there’s some great scenery to take in, too.
Safa Park is another favourite, with a 3.4km track around its perimeter, while every Sunday evening, Yas Marina Circuit is opened up to runners as part of the StartYas programme (www.yasmarinacircuit.com).
If you’d like to go farther afield, the Hajar Mountains are dotted with a maze of single-track trails forged by goat herders, donkeys and camels.
Rollerblading
Our rough pavements aren’t ideal for rollerblading fanatics, but if you want to dust off your wheels this winter, there are a few cool spots available to practise your fishtails. Just remember to steer clear of the roads and wear a helmet, elbow pads and knee pads.
The Abu Dhabi Corniche has a dedicated skate track, often used by a friendly group of skaters who meet there every day at 8pm (www.facebook.com/ISRSbuddies).
Dubai Autodrome holds free weekly evenings of rollerblading every Wednesday from 6pm to 9pm on its 2.4km floodlit Club Circuit (www.dubaiautodrome.com).
Roller-skating is also permitted down by the creek at Dubai’s Creekside Park (entrance fee is Dh5, women and children only on Wednesday).
Beach volleyball
In winter, Dubai and Abu Dhabi beaches really come alive, and it’s the most popular time of year for beach volleyball. When courts aren’t occupied for organised tournaments, it’s a matter of simply showing up and playing – and there are nets available for you to do just that, from Kite Beach down to Jumeirah Beach Residence. Just bring your team and a ball, and find a free net among the public courts.
Jumeirah Beach Park and Atlantis on The Palm are two other good locations worth a try if they’re in your neighbourhood.
Abu Dhabi’s Corniche is a popular spot, with several beach-volleyball courts.
If you're a beginner, www.trainer.ae can organise beach-volleyball lessons near Dubai Sports City. And if you're interested in joining a club and taking part in regular tournaments, Duplays is Dubai's number one sports and social club. It hosts on regular matches, such as the Monday night league at Le Méridien Mina Seyahi (www.duplays.com, Dh500 per eight-week season).
Rock climbing
The UAE has a very varied climbing scene, and winter is the peak time for exploring areas around Dibba (ideal for beginners), Hatta, Al Ain and Ras Al Khaimah, as well as smaller crags in Khasab and The South Slope. Climbing isn’t the type of activity where you can just buy the gear and head out – you need a lot of technical equipment (including a dizzying array of harnesses, belays, shoes, helmets, karabiners, ropes and protection) and some training.
If you're a novice, it's a good idea to get experience at one of the region's indoor centres before heading outdoors. There are several schools that can train you in outdoor techniques, including Absolute Adventures, which runs a range of one-day introductory courses as well as more advanced courses (www.adventure.ae, prices from Dh425).
British expat Dominic Ford (otherwise known as The Vertical Tourist) also teaches climbing and offers taster courses through to training for competitive climbers (www.theverticaltourist.co.uk, Dh200 per hour or Dh1,200 for a full day).
Kitesurfing
The cooler weather provides some of the best conditions in the world to experience this fast, exhilarating and highly physical activity – no wonder it’s considered the region’s favourite extreme sport. If you’re keen, lessons are a must and it usually takes about six to nine hours to pick up. Equipment can be expensive to buy, so it’s recommended to hire what you need until you decide it’s for you.
In Dubai, there's one designated beach for kitesurfing – the appropriately named Kite Beach, where you can learn with Kitesurf School Dubai, either one-on-one, or in groups of two or three (www.kitesurf.ae, one-hour lessons start from Dh250, plus extra for equipment rental). IKO Kitesurfing offers group and individual lessons in Abu Dhabi and Dubai from Dh150, while KitePro Abu Dhabi (www.kitepro.ae) have one-hour, individual lessons off Yas Island starting at Dh350 (equipment rental is extra).
Give it a go: 5 outdoor classes
YOGA: Enjoy some sunshine with your savasana. Yoga Retreats runs group classes at Zabeel Park every Saturday at 10.30am; Dh70; www.yogaretreats.ae.
BOOT CAMP: Let a cool breeze take the edge off your workout. Original Fitness Co runs boot camps at the Abu Dhabi Corniche and Downtown Dubai. Dh75 per session; www.originalfitnessco.com.
ULTIMATE FRISBEE: Develop your razor-sharp throwing skills and agility. Duplay runs an Ultimate League every Monday night at Emirates International School in Jumeirah and you can either sign up as an individual or a team. From Dh400; www.duplays.com.
PILATES: Feel the grass under your feet while you get in shape. Pilates instructor Hanan runs regular outdoor classes in public parks. First three classes are free, then Dh30 per session; www.meetup.com/Dubai-Outdoor-Pilates-Group.
CAPOEIRA: It's too graceful a sport to be kept hidden behind closed doors. Capoeira Dubai offers outdoor training at Kite Beach, starting from Dh700 for 10 classes; www.capoeiradubai.com.
