Six activities to try at Abu Dhabi Alive

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  Join a group drumming session: Ever wondering what it would be like to communicate using a drum? This is your chance. Dubai Drums plan to use their extensive rhythm work and group drumming sessions to help participants create a common language and a free flow of communication – all through drumming. Sessions will typically include a professional drum-circle facilitator leading a group – of anywhere between five and hundreds of participants – through the skills needed to get a grasp on drum rhythms, much like a conductor would direct an orchestra. “This is an excellent activity for families to take part in together, and children, especially, love it,” says Jemai. Courtesy Abu Dhabi Alive

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  Climb a wall: Rock-wall climbing enthusiasts in Abu Dhabi are often hard-pressed to find a location to practise their passion. Abu Dhabi Alive will provide access to Adventure HQ’s climbing wall – a simulated rock formation with numerous hand- and footholds that provide both a mental and physical workout. Adventure HQ, a superstore for outdoor enthusiasts, has “adventure zones” in both Times Square Center in Dubai as well as Dalma Mall in Abu Dhabi. The facility’s climbing wall is nine metres high and caters to varying fitness levels. Just make sure you’re not afraid of heights if you’re planning to reach the top of the wall. Jaime Puebla / The National

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  Surf on a trampoline: The people behind Wire World, a 25,000-square-metre outdoor adventure park at Dubai’s Meydan that is scheduled to open next year, will be bringing four giant trampolines – 9 metres by 9 metres – to Abu Dhabi Alive. They call it the “bungee trampoline”. “There are four platforms and we attach a kitesurf board onto each one,” says Alexandra Lebon, the group director of business development and marketing at Wire World. “These are usually used for sea activities but we’ve tweaked them for the trampoline so that when you bounce with the kite board attached to your feet, you end up almost surfing on the air.” It’s one of those sports that you have to see to believe, so get in line for your shot of adrenaline. Still, it’s suitable for kids ages 3 and up. Courtesy Abu Dhabi Alive

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  Navigate a forest: Wire World will also have an adventure course with nine obstacles. “Our aim is to promote outdoor activities that allow you to interact with raw materials like ropes, wood, stone – everything is eco-friendly, educational and extremely interactive,” says Lebon. In the obstacle course, wooden pylons act as trees and activities take place on platforms in the “forest”. Nothing is more than two metres high, except for the final zip line, which is three metres above ground. “Families love to do this one together; it’s a chance to challenge themselves and exercise while still having fun,” says Lebon. It usually takes 30 minutes to complete two laps around the obstacle course and 15 people can go at a time. Courtesy Abu Dhabi Alive

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  Try something new: There’s a staggering amount of free fitness classes to choose from and this is your chance to try something you’ve only ever heard of before. Yoga for kids, yoga for adults, Yogalates, Pilates, Zumba, BarreConcept, Xtend Barre, Metafit masterclasses, spinning and boot camp are only a few of the free fitness classes open to everyone during the event, not to mention bowling and tennis as well. There will be cooking demonstrations, health and fitness quiz shows, on-site medical checkups and free medical consultations, activity areas that are ladies-only and free upper-body massages to take advantage of. Courtesy Abu Dhabi Alive

Last year, more than 12,000 people visited the inaugural edition of Abu Dhabi Alive at Zayed Sports City. This year, the exhibition director Hayete Jemai is expecting an even bigger crowd.

“It’s our chance to show how fun it can be to be active,” says Jemai. “There’s more to fitness than being bored on a treadmill.”

The three-day health and fitness event, which begins on Thursday, caters to all ages and provides a day of outdoor fun and action.

“We want the community to come and try different activities and learn how to stay healthy. It doesn’t take much to stay healthy, just selecting the right thing for you – and everything is available right here in the UAE,” says Jemai. Abu Dhabi Alive allows visitors the chance, she says, to try out things that they might not usually have access to or even know about. “It’s a chance to figure out what you like and what you’d like to start doing more of.”

• Abu Dhabi Alive is at Zayed Sports City on Thursday, November 13, from 10am to 10pm; on Friday, November 14, from 2pm to 10pm; and on Saturday, November 15, from noon to 10pm. Register in advance at www.abudhabialive.ae for free entry. At the door, tickets are Dh5 for a one-day pass to access the activities and facilities and Dh10 for a two- or three-day pass