• Trident Tower, Splasher's Lagoon and Splasher's Cove are all part of a new expansion of Atlantis Aquaventure water park, to open to the public on March 1. All photos courtesy Reem Mohammed / The National
    Trident Tower, Splasher's Lagoon and Splasher's Cove are all part of a new expansion of Atlantis Aquaventure water park, to open to the public on March 1. All photos courtesy Reem Mohammed / The National
  • Trident Tower, a new water attraction at Atlantis Aquaventure, is 48 metres tall and home to 12 slides.
    Trident Tower, a new water attraction at Atlantis Aquaventure, is 48 metres tall and home to 12 slides.
  • Trident Tower is also the biggest tower in Aquaventure.
    Trident Tower is also the biggest tower in Aquaventure.
  • Immortal Falls, part of Trident Tower, is a cliff-jumping experience.
    Immortal Falls, part of Trident Tower, is a cliff-jumping experience.
  • Odyssey of Terror at Trident Tower is a family rafting ride.
    Odyssey of Terror at Trident Tower is a family rafting ride.
  • Odyssey of Terror is also the world’s tallest waterslide with a double tornadowave, and will take riders through a series of twists and turns.
    Odyssey of Terror is also the world’s tallest waterslide with a double tornadowave, and will take riders through a series of twists and turns.
  • Riders are blasted through a series of caves, slopes and drops at Medusa's Lair, another attraction at Trident Tower.
    Riders are blasted through a series of caves, slopes and drops at Medusa's Lair, another attraction at Trident Tower.
  • Splasher’s Lagoon and Splasher’s Cove add to the water park's children's-only offerings.
    Splasher’s Lagoon and Splasher’s Cove add to the water park's children's-only offerings.

Dubai's Atlantis Aquaventure sets new Guinness World Record with 50 water slides


Selina Denman
  • English
  • Arabic

Dubai’s Atlantis Aquaventure has set a new Guinness World Record for the most water slides in a water park, with 50.

To achieve the accolade, the popular attraction was put under close scrutiny. Each slide in the park was tested, documented and captured on film for the adjudicators to verify.

“Dubai always competes against itself, and is constantly surprising us with its innovation, creativity and determination to maintain its global position as a leading entertainment provider,” said Alwaleed Osman, official adjudicator at Guinness World Records. “Atlantis Aquaventure is an ‘Officially Amazing’ addition to the countless number of world records scene in the city.”

Spanning 22.5 hectares, Atlantis Aquaventure has three themed towers set on 1 kilometre of beachfront, and more than 105 attractions and experiences for visitors to enjoy. While the previous Guinness World Records titleholder had 41 waterslides.

Among these are Odyssey of Terror, the world’s tallest water slide, which includes a final drop where riders experience near weightlessness as they freefall down a curved wall. Shockwave combines speed, power and a rafting adventure as users are blasted 449 metres through a series of dark tunnels. And Zoomerango includes mega-drop plummets and vertical zooms, including a 14-metre high vertical wall.

Odyssey of Terror ride at Atlantis Aquaventure. Reem Mohammed / The National
Odyssey of Terror ride at Atlantis Aquaventure. Reem Mohammed / The National

Leap of Faith includes a near-vertical drop from a nine-story height, while its so-called “scarier sister” Blackout involves thrilling velocities from start to finish. The Vortex twister features back-to-back turns, curves, drops and 360-degree loops, ending with a plummet into the lagoon.

The park is also home to the River Rapids and Raging Rapids, which add an adrenaline-infused rush to the traditional lazy river experience. The Immortal Falls, meanwhile, offer Dubai’s first cliff jumping experience.

Last month, Atlantis Aquaventure launched a new range of watersports products with Hydrosports, including e-hydrofoil boards, hoverboards and jet skis.

Ten of Atlantis Aquaventure’s most experienced lifeguards were on hand to receive the official Guinness World Records certificate, alongside Sascha Triemer, vice president of marine and water park at Atlantis Dubai.

“Today, as we celebrate this exciting milestone for Atlantis Aquaventure, we acknowledge what it takes to run a world’s leading water park and the people who make the magic happen,” said Timothy Kelly, executive vice president and managing director, Atlantis Resorts and Residences.

“This wouldn’t be possible without our team of more than 500 lifeguards who protect the safety of our guests every single day so that they can relax and enjoy extraordinary record-breaking experiences.”

Ain Dubai in numbers

126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure

1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch

16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.

9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.

5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place

192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.

Reading List

Practitioners of mindful eating recommend the following books to get you started:

Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life by Thich Nhat Hanh and Dr Lilian Cheung

How to Eat by Thich Nhat Hanh

The Mindful Diet by Dr Ruth Wolever

Mindful Eating by Dr Jan Bays

How to Raise a Mindful Eaterby Maryann Jacobsen

Director: Laxman Utekar

Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna

Rating: 1/5

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

MATCH INFO

World Cup qualifier

Thailand 2 (Dangda 26', Panya 51')

UAE 1 (Mabkhout 45 2')

Dunki
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Explainer: Tanween Design Programme

Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.

The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.

It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.

The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.

Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”

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SUE%20GRAY'S%20FINDINGS
%3Cp%3E%22Whatever%20the%20initial%20intent%2C%20what%20took%20place%20at%20many%20of%20these%20gatherings%20and%20the%3Cbr%3Eway%20in%20which%20they%20developed%20was%20not%20in%20line%20with%20Covid%20guidance%20at%20the%20time.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%22Many%20of%20these%20events%20should%20not%20have%20been%20allowed%20to%20happen.%20It%20is%20also%20the%20case%20that%20some%20of%20the%3Cbr%3Emore%20junior%20civil%20servants%20believed%20that%20their%20involvement%20in%20some%20of%20these%20events%20was%20permitted%20given%20the%20attendance%20of%20senior%20leaders.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%22The%20senior%20leadership%20at%20the%20centre%2C%20both%20political%20and%20official%2C%20must%20bear%20responsibility%20for%20this%20culture.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%22I%20found%20that%20some%20staff%20had%20witnessed%20or%20been%20subjected%20to%20behaviours%20at%20work%20which%20they%20had%20felt%20concerned%20about%20but%20at%20times%20felt%20unable%20to%20raise%20properly.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%22I%20was%20made%20aware%20of%20multiple%20examples%20of%20a%20lack%20of%20respect%20and%20poor%20treatment%20of%20security%20and%20cleaning%20staff.%20This%20was%20unacceptable.%22%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Mina Cup winners

Under 12 – Minerva Academy

Under 14 – Unam Pumas

Under 16 – Fursan Hispania

Under 18 – Madenat

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Company%20profile
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Updated: October 05, 2022, 2:25 PM