Yachting
Kuwait is a sailor's paradise. The seas offshore is
seldom really rough, but there is nearly always a moderate
breeze. Boats range from small sailing dinghies to large
yachts. The Yatch Club has a marina with 300 fully serviced
berths. Many of the sea clubs have marinas and organise
sailing activities. The Kuwait Offshore Sailing Association
organises races, including one from Kuwait to Bahrain.
Diving
Despite the pollution, a result of the retreating
Iraqi troops setting the oil wells afire, the seas
around Kuwait are comparatively clear and marine life
is thriving. Scuba diving is a popular sport. Much
of the activity takes place over reefs offshore and
around the islands. SSAC and PADI courses are available.
Al-Boom Divers offers certification through NAUI and
CMAS and organises diving trips.
Trips to the Islands
Taking a boat trip to one of the islands, such as
Kubbar, can be a pleasant one-day experience, with
swimming and picnicking on an island or on the boat
itself possibly with fish caught by trawl or line
on the way out. For a few hundred KD, a dhow can be
hired, including crew and all running costs, which
is ideal for a small office outing or for three or
four families on an outing together.
Fishing
Besides zubaidi and hamout, fish of almost every conceivable
shape and variety in the waters off Kuwait are there
for the taking. The range of fish includes six different
types of shark, two types of barracuda, stinging and
non-stinging ray fish, four varieties of mackerel
and tuna, and an array of soles, breams, snappers,
rock and cat fish, flounders, cobias, puffers and
needlefish. You can go fishing with sophisticated
long casting rods, from prominent rocks and the ends
of piers using simple poles, lines and hooks or wire
baskets to catch fry from the water off the beaches
using nets held by several persons, from boats using
trawls and multi-hooked lines. Many of the experts
use home-made equipment. Both simple and sophisticated
fishing tackle is available in the shops.
Sports
A few sports are banned for national security reasons,
such as hang-gliding. Some of the many sporting activities
which can be enjoyed in Kuwait are:
Archery: The National Archery Centre is inside
the gates of the Hunting and Equestrian Club, but
is a separate entity, and anyone may use the facility
for a nominal fee.
Basketball: Among the most popular sports
in Kuwait, basketball is played at all major sports
clubs. games are organised mainly at the Kuwait Sports
Club.
Bowling: There are four bowling alleys, at
the Silver Towers, the Hunting and Equestrian Club,
the Holiday Inn Hotel, and the Safir International
Hotel.
Equestrian Sports: The exclusive Hunting and
Equestrian Club is located on the 6th Ring Road. All
the Club's horses were stolen by Iraqi invaders but
were replaced in 1992 with 40 Irish thoroughbreds.
The Club has race tracks as well as riding and gymkhana
facilities, a swimming pool, tennis and squash courts,
a bowling alley, restaurant and an indoor sports area.
New members must be sponsored by prominent Kuwaitis.
Ice-skating: Now completely refurbished after
being badly damaged during the Iraqi invasion, Kuwait's
Ice Skating Rink is located just off the 1st Ring
Road at Shamiya Gate, and has an Olympic size skating
floor as well as a smaller rink for women and children
only. Training is available and there are equipment
rental shops which also sell skating clothing and
equipment, and a small cafe. It is open from 9 am
to 9 pm every day except Saturday.
Motor Sports: In post-Liberation Kuwait, car
rallies are making a slow comeback because much of
the desert still contains some unexploded ordnance.
But the Amateur Car and Motorbike Association, located
at the Science Club on the 6th Ring Road, holds drag
races every Thursday. Motorbike races are held from
May to October, while car contests are held all the
year round, and entrance fees is a nominal KD1.
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