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Sand Boarding
| Many snowboarders turn to the granular rock powder to get their summer kicks. Sandboarding, like its brothers snowboard and skateboarding, is an excellent alternative to surfing |
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Here in the desert, waves of sand replace water, snow and cement to create high speed movement. It's just you and the elements.
Sandboarding requires balance, daring, and grace. On a practical level you'll also need; a vast expanse of fine sand stacked neatly into dunes; 4WD Transport; a driver, guide or instructor; more water than you think you need (6 liters per person per day is the minimum!); sand board; dune buggy; helmet and gloves; sun glasses; and sun block.
Saudi Arabia is a sandboarder's dream. The dunes routinely are over 100m in height and very expansive (you can use GPS to determine their size.) You need the 4WD to drive through the desert, and the quad bike to get to the top (if you're lazy). The rides are fast and furious, and sometimes very unforgiving - which is why you need the helmet and gloves!
To beat the desert heat you must be up early in the morning - 4am is best to get plenty of boarding in. The weather here is dry and hot. Temperatures can soar to 54C (129F) during the day, which is not kind to anyone, especially not for sandboarders. So packing large quantities of re-hydrating fluids |
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