Zipping along Downtown Dubai

Dubai - New zip-line from a residential tower is the talk of the town.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to soar over Downtown Dubai, like a bird? Some residents might now get a chance - through Dubai's new "XLine" - a zip wire which stretches over the Dubai Fountains (at The Dubai Mall), from a residential tower on Emaar Boulevard all the way to The Dubai Mall.
Last week, Khaleej Times - along with a few other nervous members of Dubai's Press corps - got a chance to experience the XLine first hand.
After taking an elevator to the top of an apartment building on Emaar Boulevard and then walking up a few flights of stairs to the roof - 90 metres off the ground, participants are then strapped into safety harnesses.
What follows is a surreal experience. Once attached to the cables, participants are shoved off the roof in a seated position, zipping - for about 40 seconds - over the Dubai Fountains. The ride provides spectacular views of the Burj Khalifa and the Downtown Dubai area.
Those who are afraid of heights shouldn't fear - the harness and the heavy metal cables provide a smooth, steady ride which allows one to focus on Dubai's skyline zipping by. Depending on the time, a lucky few may find themselves drenched by a spurt from of Dubai Fountain.
Once you've "landed", a short stairwell takes you to The Dubai Mall - and finding your way out of its cavernous expanses becomes the next adventure.
Dubai has been abuzz with talk of the XLine since October 19, when a video emerged of Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, giving it a try, and getting soaked by the fountains in the process. Within 24 hours, the video had amassed over 120,000 "likes" on Instagram.
The XLine is being run by XDubai, which has already made a name for itself locally with its promotion of other adventure sports in the emirate, including skydiving, wingsuit flying and flyboarding. Earlier this year, XDubai partnered with Skydive Dubai to stage 558 parachute jumps off Princess Tower in the Dubai Marina, one of the tallest towers in Dubai.
At the moment, XLine is by invitation only, and those interested can apply on the XDubai website.
Terms and conditions include that the minimum age of the participant should be 10 years, with those below 18 requiring a parent or guardian to be present. Minimum weight and height range are given as 50-110kg and 1.40-2.10 metres, respectively.
bernd@khaleejtimes.com