DUBAI // He has been back from his exhausting polar adventure for only a matter of weeks, but already the record-breaking explorer Adrian Hayes is back in training for another challenge.
Hayes and his two Canadian teammates, Devon McDiarmid and Derek Crowe, made history on July 26 when they completed the 4,262km, 67-day Emirates NBD Greenland Quest across the world's largest ice sheet.
Their gruelling journey made history as the longest unsupported kite-skiing polar expedition. After spending some time recovering and relaxing in the UK, Hayes returned to Dubai, his home of 14 years, in mid-September.
Yesterday, in Jumeirah, the British father of two said the completion of his fourth polar expedition had only left him hungry for more.
"I am already working on a number of future expeditions, none of which I can discuss yet," he said. "But I always look to push the boundaries. They will be happening in the next two years. I love doing them; they have become a part of my job."
In the meantime, the remaining few months of 2009 will be spent tackling two challenges closer to home: holding on to his title as the UAE's fittest man at the Fitness First Cross Training Challenge in November and taking on the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge in December, which involves mountain biking, kayaking, sand running, abseiling and climbing, for six 14-hour days.
"I was doing weights a couple of times a week and ran a couple of times a week, when in the UK, but nothing special," he said. "Now I am back to serious training."
Pointing to a bronzed trophy on his shelf from last year's Fitness First challenge, he said winning that competition was his proudest moment "because the mean age for successful polar explorers is in their 40s but for fitness challenges such as this, its usually your 20s".
In preparation, he is now kayaking between one and two hours each morning, as well as running, rock climbing, swimming and weight training. The rest of his time is spent preparing for the next expedition, giving motivational speeches and offering corporate coaching to UAE businesses.
Clearly recalling the 67 days he spent battling the bitter winds and crevasses of Greenland is not easy.
"It's like a blur in time, because you are transported away from everyday life, and you are so focused in this zone for three months, the world just doesn't exist," he said.
"It's funny, I look back on that period of time, the financial crisis went on, and the world went on without us, but all that concerned me were those most basic of needs - food, warmth and shelter. Most days I don't think about it, but then you have a quiet moment and remember."
The first few days immediately after the expedition were not as jubilant as one might expect.
"You don't speak much. I have some pictures of us just looking on in silence, because you are just in bewilderment," he said. "We had put so much focus into it and suddenly it's over.
"Yes, it does feel like a loss. This is the difference between the mountains and the poles: you come out of the mountains elated. In the UK I just felt emotional, but I had experienced it before and so I knew it was coming."
Hayes said he had tackled the feeling by "going into hibernation" and avoiding anyone outside his family and closest friends while in the UK.
"They are used to it now," he said. "I don't think people understand how much physical and mental preparation goes into these expeditions.
"You train as hard as a professional athlete, four to six hours a day, but the difference is they will have breakfast, go to bed and rest and eat, but you're doing that and briefing your support team, preparing the expedition equipment, getting briefed on the whole climate change aspect of our mission, daily calls to Canada.
"I was so stressed out. I don't think I have ever worked as hard as I did in the first four months of this year."
Although the Emirates NBD Greenland Quest missed the deadline for the 2010 Guinness Book of Records, the results of the environmental tests that the trio performed while in Greenland are expected to appear in print by the end of the year.
loatway@thenational.ae
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
The specs
Engine: 8.0-litre, quad-turbo 16-cylinder
Transmission: 7-speed auto
0-100kmh 2.3 seconds
0-200kmh 5.5 seconds
0-300kmh 11.6 seconds
Power: 1500hp
Torque: 1600Nm
Price: Dh13,400,000
On sale: now
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Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
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'Brazen'
Director: Monika Mitchell
Starring: Alyssa Milano, Sam Page, Colleen Wheeler
Rating: 3/5
Profile of Tamatem
Date started: March 2013
Founder: Hussam Hammo
Based: Amman, Jordan
Employees: 55
Funding: $6m
Funders: Wamda Capital, Modern Electronics (part of Al Falaisah Group) and North Base Media
About Seez
Company name/date started: Seez, set up in September 2015 and the app was released in August 2017
Founder/CEO name(s): Tarek Kabrit, co-founder and chief executive, and Andrew Kabrit, co-founder and chief operating officer
Based in: Dubai, with operations also in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon
Sector: Search engine for car buying, selling and leasing
Size: (employees/revenue): 11; undisclosed
Stage of funding: $1.8 million in seed funding; followed by another $1.5m bridge round - in the process of closing Series A
Investors: Wamda Capital, B&Y and Phoenician Funds
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Tenet
Director: Christopher Nolan
Stars: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Michael Caine, Kenneth Branagh
Rating: 5/5
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
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What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
The biog
Favourite food: Tabbouleh, greek salad and sushi
Favourite TV show: That 70s Show
Favourite animal: Ferrets, they are smart, sensitive, playful and loving
Favourite holiday destination: Seychelles, my resolution for 2020 is to visit as many spiritual retreats and animal shelters across the world as I can
Name of first pet: Eddy, a Persian cat that showed up at our home
Favourite dog breed: I love them all - if I had to pick Yorkshire terrier for small dogs and St Bernard's for big
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
AT%20A%20GLANCE
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Brief scores:
Liverpool 3
Mane 24', Shaqiri 73', 80'
Manchester United 1
Lingard 33'
Man of the Match: Fabinho (Liverpool)
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Pupils in Abu Dhabi are learning the importance of being active, eating well and leading a healthy lifestyle now and throughout adulthood, thanks to a newly launched programme 'Healthy Lifestyle'.
As part of the Healthy Lifestyle programme, specially trained coaches from City Football Schools, along with Healthpoint physicians have visited schools throughout Abu Dhabi to give fun and interactive lessons on working out regularly, making the right food choices, getting enough sleep and staying hydrated, just like their favourite footballers.
Organised by Manchester City FC and Healthpoint, Manchester City FC’s regional healthcare partner and part of Mubadala’s healthcare network, the ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ programme will visit 15 schools, meeting around 1,000 youngsters over the next five months.
Designed to give pupils all the information they need to improve their diet and fitness habits at home, at school and as they grow up, coaches from City Football Schools will work alongside teachers to lead the youngsters through a series of fun, creative and educational classes as well as activities, including playing football and other games.
Dr Mai Ahmed Al Jaber, head of public health at Healthpoint, said: “The programme has different aspects - diet, exercise, sleep and mental well-being. By having a focus on each of those and delivering information in a way that children can absorb easily it can help to address childhood obesity."
