There is nowhere quite like Surf Abu Dhabi. The UAE’s newest attraction on Hudayriyat Island is a surfer’s paradise, with clear waters, gorgeous skyline views and impressive artificially created waves that can be customised to a participant’s skill level.
It also has the world's longest ride, largest barrel and highest man-made wave.
The club was created in collaboration with Kelly Slater, who is regarded as one of the world’s greatest surfers. Ahead of the attraction’s official opening next month, I went along to give it a try.
I have never surfed before and – to some degree – I don’t like being in deep water because I consider myself a weak swimmer. Nevertheless, I decide to go with the flow.
What to expect at Surf Abu Dhabi
The drive is tricky due to construction around Hudayriyat Island. with several roundabouts to navigate and signs to look out for. Eventually, I arrive at a building with a glass exterior adorned with a bold Surf Abu Dhabi sign framed by towering palm trees.
The lobby inspires a sense of zen and tranquillity, with its stone walls and floor-to-ceiling windows that allow natural light to pour in. The club has a dedicated corner honouring Slater, showing photos, memorabilia, a signed rash guard and one of his championship trophies. A video also plays, highlighting the former 11-time world champion as he rides enormous waves.
A lounge and locker area are positioned in the centre of the space, while private changing rooms come with towels and complimentary bottles of sunscreen and after-sun lotion.
After I change, I put on a bright blue, elbow-length rash guard provided by Surf Abu Dhabi. This covers my upper body to protect myself from the sun or any irritation that may occur while lying on the surfboard. This is unlikely to be necessary for anyone who wears modest swimwear.
Although I may look the part, I am admittedly a bit nervous about my first time surfing.
Land lessons and safety tips
Luckily, guides Zahra Khan and Mouna Boumar deliver a land lesson first, explaining how to stand up, how to protect yourself and even how to fall safely. Since my group members are mostly beginners, we use foam surfboards that offer more stability and are easier to paddle on.
Boumar teaches us how to place our bodies on the board to ensure we are balanced in the water. She then demonstrates the technique we will use to try to stand up.
This begins with paddling, getting into a cobra position with the hands flat against the board and arms tucked in, pushing up, putting the back leg up first and then pushing off to get the other leg up. She suggests looking straight ahead to maintain balance.
Perhaps the most important tip I learn is how to keep myself safe. There is an ankle leash attached to the board so surfers will not get separated from it upon falling into the water. We are also told to cover our heads with our arms for protection.
Because we are beginners, we have someone helping us balance the board when we try to stand up, and another surfer next to us in case further assistance is required. Even so, I also decide to wear a life jacket because I am not sure about my swimming skills.
Attempting to catch some waves
I get on my board and hold on to the back of a jet ski as it carries me out to the middle of the saltwater wave pool. I am paired with surf guide and pro surfer Gabi Lailvaux, who helps balance my board and instructs me when it is time to try to stand.
Because waves are created by a machine, she counts down to when the next one is coming and tells me to paddle. But right as the wave hits, my Whoop fitness tracker flies off my wrist, prompting me to grab on to it instead of focusing on trying to stand.
Instead, I sail with the wave until it has passed. After Lailvaux hands my tracker over to the jet ski team for safekeeping, I try again.
The first couple of times, I topple off before even getting a chance to stand and, once when I fall in, I accidentally take a big gulp of the salty water. Lailvaux does a great job of trying to help stabilise me, though, and I always feel safe, which is a big plus.
Because I am in a session with other participants, we co-ordinate which waves we try to surf. As I lie on my stomach on the surfboard waiting for my turn, I feel some motion sickness as my body rocks back and forth with the waves. Combined with the searing September morning heat and the exertion needed to try to prop myself up on the board, I start to feel a little unwell.
However, I give it one last go. This time we are on the edge of the pool, which means the waves are gentler. As Lailvaux readies me, she tells me to start standing and, to my surprise, I am able to get up for a few seconds and ride the wave before topping into the water. Lailvaux high-fives me and the team celebrates my small but satisfying accomplishment.
Once the adrenalin settles, I take a break to rehydrate, rebalance and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. There is a lovely view of the Abu Dhabi Corniche with its familiar buildings standing out in the distance and I am able to watch other surfers try their luck on the big screen.
Final thoughts
After my session, I visit Nalu Surf Club, a chic double-storey restaurant with a rooftop lounge that has views of the wave pool and skyline as well as its own pool.
The space draws inspiration from the Californian coast, with neutral tones and sunset hues to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. Soft background music enhances the ambience. It is one of two restaurants on-site, the other being Ilios Beach Club.
Although I did not surf as successfully as I had hoped, the experience was incredible. Next time, I will be sure to leave all accessories in the changing room and take a non-drowsy motion sickness pill, just in case.
While I wish I could have spent more time in the wave pool, catching that one wave and standing up – even if only for a few seconds – was a rush I cannot wait to experience again. A few more lessons could be helpful, which makes me eager to return soon after the park officially opens.
Surf Abu Dhabi feels like more than just a place for those hoping to catch some waves, but rather is a space that embodies what people love about surfing. It captures the essence of surf culture itself – the thrill of the ride and the laid-back, community spirit – all while still reflecting the vibrant and welcoming atmosphere of the capital.
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Temple numbers
Expected completion: 2022
Height: 24 meters
Ground floor banquet hall: 370 square metres to accommodate about 750 people
Ground floor multipurpose hall: 92 square metres for up to 200 people
First floor main Prayer Hall: 465 square metres to hold 1,500 people at a time
First floor terrace areas: 2,30 square metres
Temple will be spread over 6,900 square metres
Structure includes two basements, ground and first floor
if you go
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
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- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
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Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
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MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
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2.5 / 5 stars
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EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
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West Indies v England ODI series:
West Indies squad: Jason Holder (c), Fabian Allen, Devendra Bishoo, Darren Bravo, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Evin Lewis, Ashley Nurse, Keemo Paul, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Kemar Roach, Oshane Thomas.
Fixtures:
1st ODI - February 20, Bridgetown
2nd ODI - February 22, Bridgetown
3rd ODI - February 25, St George's
4th ODI - February 27, St George's
5th ODI - March 2, Gros Islet
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Date of launch: November 2018
Founder: Monark Modi
Based: Business Bay, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: Eight employees
Investors: Self-funded to date with $1m of personal savings
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Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
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Stormy seas
Weather warnings show that Storm Eunice is soon to make landfall. The videographer and I are scrambling to return to the other side of the Channel before it does. As we race to the port of Calais, I see miles of wire fencing topped with barbed wire all around it, a silent ‘Keep Out’ sign for those who, unlike us, aren’t lucky enough to have the right to move freely and safely across borders.
We set sail on a giant ferry whose length dwarfs the dinghies migrants use by nearly a 100 times. Despite the windy rain lashing at the portholes, we arrive safely in Dover; grateful but acutely aware of the miserable conditions the people we’ve left behind are in and of the privilege of choice.
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh1,100,000 (est)
Engine 5.2-litre V10
Gearbox seven-speed dual clutch
Power 630bhp @ 8,000rpm
Torque 600Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined 15.7L / 100km (est)
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
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Oppenheimer
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How to donate
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
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Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries
• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.
• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.
• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.
• For more information visit the library network's website.
