CITY MUSING: Fun in the sun

Maán Jalal on how to really enjoy the beach.

FOR THOSE OF us who didn't have a chance to travel this summer, Dubai's heat was felt in full force. What made it worse was seeing everyone's holiday photos enjoying the more bearable European weather. Not to worry though, autumn is around the corner and temperatures will soon be dropping (fingers crossed). So what's there to look forward to? For me I can finally leave the confines of my air conditioned flat and hit the beach. More specifically Kite Beach behind Sunset Mall in Jumeirah.
After gaining massive popularity last year, it's become the hub for beach lovers. With loads of new food outlets opening up (I recommend the yummy Wannabanna) and activities from volleyball to water sports, you'll find it's the perfect way to spend your weekend.
However, if you're anything like me, you probably didn't take the opportunity during the summer to work on your beach body. A healthy food plan and a strict gym routine looks good in our calendars, sounds impressive when discussed with friends and seems completely viable when imagined in our own heads. Truth is, planning to go to the gym and not going is easier to achieve than actually going to the gym.
Never fear though, one can always get fit and active while at the beach. It's more fun that way, right? Kite Beach has an array of water activities to keep the muscles working such as paddleboarding, kite surfing, canoeing and water-skiing. I recommend paddleboarding . . . with caution. Given the fact that I'm balance challenged, paddleboarding translated into me falling flat on my face in the water to the amusement of my friends.
One can still enjoy the beach though without the necessity of getting a beach body or having to take part in any extreme, potentially hazardous and embarrassing sports. It's not that hard, I've figured out the perfect formula. Simply follow my instructions. Place towel on the sand, make sure you a have a cold beverage in one hand and a good book in the other, lie down, relax and let the sun do the tanning.
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(maan@khaleejtimes.com)