Dubai: Zip-lining 558 metres above the Dubai Fountains is the emirate’s latest project to promote the importance of sports and a healthy lifestyle.
The ‘X Line’ project, initiated by Dubai X, a company that runs action sport activities, was launched early this month with Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, being the first person to travel across the zip-line in front of Burj Khalifa.
Taking off from the top of a 90-metre long residential building in Emaar Boulevard, participants zip-line across the Dubai fountains, enjoying breath taking views of Dubai before landing on top of Dubai Mall.
“The speed of the trolley is between 60km-80km per hour depending on the person’s weight,” said Sara Sara Fakhouri, Head of Marketing Communications at Dubai X.
To experience X Dubai’s latest stunt, residents can take part in the company’s online social media competitions by tagging three friends on their account.
“We have 30 winners a week through social media who we send official invitations to,” said Sara.
Participants are required to be over the age of 10, and at least 130cm tall, and should weigh between 50kg and 110kg, said Sara. Those under the age of 18 should be accompanied by an adult.
While exclusive to invitation holders only, Dubai residents Mohammad Azeez and his sister Zainab Azeez talked to Gulf News about their experience.
Adrenaline rush
“[Zip lining] is a different experience to action sports like bungee jumping and sky diving where you get a quick adrenaline rush. With zip lining, you have that initial push and then you enjoy the view beneath your feet as you glide down over the fountains,” said Mohammad.
His sister Zainab, who has not taken part in action sports involving heights before, said zip lining was the perfect birthday gift. “I started feeling nervous during the initial countdown, but as soon as it started, it felt amazing to float above the entire fountain and Burj Khalifa,” said Zainab.
Aiming to run until the end of the year, the project has already seen around a 1,000 participants. “We predict around 4,000 participants to have taken part in the zip line project by the end of the year,” Mohammad Al Hashemi, project manager told Gulf News.
Confirming that no accidents or glitches have been reported since the start of the project, Al Hashemi pointed out that extensive safety measures have been put into place to ensure secure operation of the zip line. Ambulances are also parked at the scene during the zip line’s operational hours.
