To make the most of the cooler weather and also perhaps, to beat the post-vacation blues, the people of Qatar are increasingly spending most of their weekends outdoors on exciting adventures and calmer shores.
However, there are a lot of crucial aspects to bear in mind so as to ensure that we enjoy our time out without harming the environment that hosts such memorable experiences.
Community caught up with Jonathan Le Marchand, Business Development Director and Co-Owner of The Blue Pearl Experience, to find out more about that and the many fun experiential avenues in Qatar.
How well does Qatar lend itself as a destination for outdoor adventure and water sports?
Qatar is the jewel of the Middle East in terms of outdoor adventure and water sport experiences. Being almost like an island, it is surrounded by water on three sides, which makes it the ideal location for all types of watersports, whether that be Wind, Paddle or Sail. Stand up paddling, Kayaking and Kitesurfing are amongst the most popular of these watersports and practised on all three coasts. The outdoor adventure element can be seen with the stunning variations of landscapes that can captivate visitors whether that be desert dune surfing in the pure white dunes of Sealine, Fat Bike Riding in the almost Lunar landscape of Zikreet, or adventure kayaking through the unspoilt, wild Al Thakira mangroves.
How can the mangroves at Al Thakira make for a beautiful outdoors experience without being exploited or damaged in the process?
It is essential that we, as a community of Qatar, all strive to protect these delicate habitats by limiting our effect on the environment. Al Thakira is one of the key biologically sensitive areas of Qatar as it is a breeding ground for numerous bird species and provides the marine habitat for several hundred marine aquatics. We can do our bit by following a set of seven simple steps. The first step is to plan ahead and prepare. If going with a Qatar Adventure Company, check if they are registered with the QTA and are fully insured and have the necessary environmental safeguards in place. Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you will visit as Al Thakira is extremely tidal and paddling during shallow tides damages the environment greatly due to the disturbance of the mangrove marine bed. Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies. Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use. Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups. Choose a tour operator that works with small groups as larger groups cause over-crowding, which further damages the environment. Repackage food to minimise waste. Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.
Could you briefly take us through the rest of these steps?
Well, Step Two would be to travel and camp on durable services. When driving or cycling around Al Thakira, look to sticking to durable surfaces which include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel. Do not drive into the mangrove wet lands as you will get stuck and damage the environment in the process. Keep campsites small and focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent. Step Three is to dispose of waste properly. Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter. Deposit solid human waste in cat-holes dug six to eight inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cat-hole when finished. Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products. To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater. Step Four is to leave what you find. Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artefacts. Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them. Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species. Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches. Step Five is to minimise the impacts of campfire. Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light. Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires. Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand. Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, and then scatter cool ashes.
What about respecting the wildlife?
That would be Step Six. Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them. Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviours, and exposes them to predators and other dangers. Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely. Control pets at all times, or leave them at home. Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter. The final measure, Step Seven, I would say is to be considerate of other visitors. Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience. Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail. Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock. Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors. Let nature’s sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.
What sort of activities is Blue Pearl Experience holding at Al Thakira, or even elsewhere in Qatar?
We conduct a range of activities across Qatar, from Fat Bike riding in Zikreet, to multi-activity adventure in Al Khor, and of course, not forgetting the mesmerising Stand Up Paddling in Porto Arabia, The Pearl.
How encouraging is the feedback or the enthusiasm of Qatar’s people for the outdoor adventure and water sports options offered by you?
The growth of the Blue Pearl Experience has been because of the demand for a variety of outdoor adventure activities in Qatar. Before Blue Pearl came along, it was all about Mangrove Paddling. But there is so much more to Qatar for outdoor lovers. The Blue Pearl Experience is all about variety and getting the residents of Qatar to experience the country as a whole and visit places they have never been to on their own door step, all throughout the year. Whether it be via land or sea, we aim to cater to everybody’s tastes.
What are the three must-experience things in Qatar for the adventure seekers or nature lovers?
Just three to four kilometres off The Pearl-Qatar, Al-Aaliyah Island is a bird sanctuary that’s home to thousands of birds in the winter months. Spotting the pink flamingoes upon reaching the island and paddling to approach them in silence is a fantastic experience that puts a huge smile on our faces every single time. The tranquillity of the island, the crystal clear water and the marine life around the island is re-energising and makes you fall in love with Qatar even more!
We also happen to offer Qatar’s first off-road biking tour, in which you can cross the desert riding a fat bike from Zikreet Village to the Richard Serra statues. A fantastic adventure, this is a time to leave your car and ride in nature, learn about the culture and heritage of the area, and get active. This one’s an easy to ride route for all with an average fitness level. Then, there’s Adventure Kayaking, which will help you discover one of Qatar’s most beautiful natural jewels, nestled away in the Mangroves in the North of Qatar, in Al Thakira. This is where you will find untouched mangroves teeming with wildlife and hidden waterways.
PROWESS: Jonathan Le Marchand doing a kite-surfing stunt. Right: DAY OUT: Families enjoying a day out kayaking at the Al Thakira mangroves.
