Sharjah24: The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), have launched ‘Sky Adventures’, the first official paragliding licensed centre in the UAE, and Shurooq’s latest investment in sports, leisure and adventure tourism in Sharjah’s central region. The centre will be open to the audience next Monday, offering aerosports enthusiasts an unforgettable opportunity to experience the picturesque desert landscapes of Sharjah’s Central Region area from the skies, as well as attract investment and provide new locations for local businesses.

The ‘Sky Adventures' offers three exciting packages and membership options that appeal to different kinds of adventure seekers. These include tandem paragliding with experienced professionals, a comprehensive, expert-led course to learn how to paraglide on your own and get international paragliding licence, and guided flights for licensed paragliders who want to experience the majesty of floating above the desert landscape while accumulating flight time.

The new adventure was announced, yesterday (Thursday) at the central Region of Sharjah, in the presence of Sheikh Khalid Bin Isam Al Qassimi, Chairman of the Department of Civil Aviation in Sharjah (DCA);  Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Mualla;  Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq); Mohammed Yousuf Abdul Rahman, General Secretary of EAF;  Nasser Hamouda Al Neyadi, President of EAF;  Yousef Hassan Al Hammadi, Vice-President of EAF;  Khalid Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Tourism and Commerce Development Authority (SCTDA); and  Eisa Hilal Al Hazami, Chairman Of Sharjah Sports Council.


Creating Investment Opportunities and Promoting Sharjah as a Global Destination 

Sheikh Khalid Bin Isam Al Qassimi, Chairman of the DCA, said: “At the DCA, we were keen to introduce legislation, systems, and criteria to ensure the centre meets the highest paragliding safety standards that align with our belief in security and quality in all of our operations and strategies that seek to achieve ideal investment opportunities, drive the sustainable development process and protect people in line with the directives of the wise Leadership. We are confident that “Shurooq” will be dedicated to offering a unique experience in which aerosports enthusiasts, paragliding in particular, will enjoy this thrilling adventure.”

His Excellency Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, Acting Chief Executive Officer of “Shurooq” remarked on the newly announced licensed training centre, saying: "Our portfolio of destinations and activities continues to expand as we aim to drive investment in various sectors of Sharjah. The new 'Sky Adventures', which will be open to the public next Monday, is one among them, providing a thrilling and unique experience for adventure seekers. Visitors will have the chance to see Sharjah from an entirely different perspective. It represents a great opportunity to promote growth and investment in the tourism and adventure sector.” 

“We would like to thank the DCA in Sharjah for their efforts in enacting legislation that ensures the centre meets the highest safety standards. At “Shurooq”, we are dedicated to developing diverse projects and experiences in all of Sharjah’s regions, and we chose Al Faya Mountain in the central region, given its importance in attracting paragliders. It will appeal to both local and international visitors, while supporting the growth of local businesses and promoting the Emirate's tourism landscape.” he added.

Eisa Hilal Al Hazami, Chairman Of Sharjah Sports Council, commended  the inauguration of the Sky Adventures, which is a remarkable achievement by “Shurooq”, stating: “The centre will enable adventure and aerosports seekers to paraglide and get official international licences. Besides, it will host paragliding championships and tournaments from the UAE and the region, which cements Sharjah’s position at the international level and supports the sports and adventure tourism sector in the emirate. It will encourage the public to play sports and at the same time explore those stunning regions, and we look forward to increasing the number of paragliders and fostering a sport-culture in Sharjah through this centre.”

Nasser Hamouda Al Neyadi, President of EAF, said: “We are delighted to announce the first official paragliding licenced centre in the UAE, at Al Faya Mountain in Sharjah’s central region, because it is one of the most ideal destinations for paragliding, and I would like to thank all entities that contributed to the success of this centre, namely, the sharjah investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), Department of Civil Aviation in Sharjah, and Sharjah Tourism and Commerce Development Authority.”

For his part, Khalid Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA, said: “Under the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed AlQasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, the emirate has elevated tourist attractions through bolstering cultural tourism, ecotourism, and sports and adventure tourism. Sharjah has been successful in furthering its remarkable achievements and significant milestones, bolstering its leading status among world’s cities. Moreover, it has contributed to driving the inclusive development process that plays a key role in sustaining vibrant key sectors and supporting the national economy. Today, we are pleased to see “Shurooq” launch the “Sky Adventures”, which will nurture sports and adventure tourism, and attract paragliders from around the world through offering an exceptional tourist experience.”

Unforgettable Tandem Paragliding for One and All
The tandem paragliding package is ideal for adrenaline seekers who are looking for an exciting new way to experience the thrill of flying, as a highly experienced professional paraglider takes visitors to the skies in this tandem paragliding adventure. For this experience, visitors will be taken by buggy on an adventurous ride to the take-off location on the foothills of Al Faya Mountain, before being briefed on the launch procedure and secured to their professional paraglider via a safe but comfortable harness. They will then be taken to the skies to experience a breathtaking paragliding adventure above the desert for 10-15 minutes and witness the beauty of the landscapes below, through a unique perspective they have never seen before.  

Learn to Fly Solo and Take to the Skies
The solo paragliding package of ‘Sky Adventures’ is for those with even more adventure in their heart and who want to learn how to paraglide on their own. This 4-day comprehensive course divided into 3-hour sessions will have professional and experienced paragliders teach enrolled visitors everything they need to know to be able to confidently and safely take to the skies, giving them the skills and knowledge to quench their thrill-seeking spirits for years to come. After learning from a professional expert the newly qualified visitors will be able to experience the exhilarating time of their lives with 5 solo flights and all necessary equipment and checks to give them the confidence to soar above the desert and feel the unforgettable freedom and thrill of flight. Successful participants can apply for a paragliding licence which is recognised internationally.

Be Guided Through the Skies and Witness the Majesty of Sharjah
The pilot paraglider’s package will offer licensed paragliders the chance to soar 5000 feet in the air over Sharjah’s Central Region area with full ground support, weather observation, and equipment checking, providing experienced flyers with an unforgettable experience of Sharjah that is hard to top. Licensed pilot paragliders will be able to accumulate their flight time while taking in the pristine views and appeal to their sense of adventure.

Frequent Flyers and Membership Options
Skilled and licensed paragliders can explore the membership program with multiple options that include 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, and 1-year packages, offering the opportunity to experience the beauty and majesty of Sharjah's skies and landscapes more frequently. Membership includes paragliding flight support and ground handling assistance, giving members the confidence to experience this unique paragliding destination again and again, making it a prime destination for experienced paragliders to create unforgettable memories.

All those who are interested in this thrilling adventure experience, whether they are first-time flyers or aspiring paragliders looking for breath-taking scenery, or they wish to get an international licence, or veterans seeking a prime paragliding location or membership, can obtain more information and register for the Sky Adventures at https://sky-adventures.ae/.