In a report for Destination Abu Dhabi, CNN visits the Al Ain Adventure Park, the Middle East’s first destination for white water rafting, kayaking and surfing.
Located in the oasis city of Al Ain, the $50 million man-made park was constructed between Abu Dhabi’s arid mountains on one side and a sprawling desert on the other. It’s an unusual sight in a region where no natural rivers exist, and summer temperatures often soar upwards of 120 F (49 C).
Al Ain Adventure Park has gained international recognition as a hub for sports professionals seeking to hone their skills in various disciplines. Rajendra Shrestha, team leader and rafting guide, tells CNN that his favourite part of the job is the unique combination of thrilling sports all in one location.
Maintaining a water park in the middle of a desert environment poses unique challenges that require meticulous upkeep and careful management. The park relies on desalinated water sourced from another emirate in the country, Ras Al Khaimah, located over 300 kilometres away (186 miles). This process involves converting seawater into freshwater, which is then treated to meet quality standards. Overall, the park says it utilises around 12.4 million gallons of water at any given time.
Looking to the future, Shrestha says the park plans to add more activities – including a cable park for wakeboarding and a zip line course.
