If you are wondering how to keep your teenager entertained in Doha, then water sport activities may be your answer.
A peninsula surrounded by the Arabian Gulf, Qatar has numerous opportunities and programmes for water sports and activities: sailing, wake boarding, wind surfing, stand up paddle boarding (SUP), diving, kayaking and more. Each of these activities is a great way for your teen to test their abilities.
Aside from the obvious physical health benefits, water sports assist teens with building strong relationships, strengthening their self-worth and challenging themselves to gain new skills. These water-based activities require stamina and self-reliance and conquering these sports will help them approach the future with more courage and confidence.
Here are some resources for a variety of water sports to get your teenager started:
Sailing
There are several sailing clubs in Doha, all of which offer certificates programmes. Training programmes start simple (for example on dinghy sailing boats) and teach basic sailing skills before working up to proper sailing boats or small yachts. Introductory certificate courses range from five to eight week programmes that meet once a week for several hours.
Regatta Sailing Academy
regattasailingacademy.com
+974 4442-4577 +974 5550-7846
Offers the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Youth Sailing Scheme certification programme at a special rate for teenagers. Non-members are welcome.
Doha Sailing Club
qmsf.com
+974 4443-9840
Hosts the Qatar Sailing and Rowing Federation (QSRF). Membership is required; family and individual options available. The Club also offers rowing and windsurfing.
Stand up paddle boarding (SUP)
SUP is a cross between traditional surfing and paddle boarding. Just as the name implies, the paddler stands up on a board similar to a surfboard and uses a paddle to glide across the water. It is a huge hit in the U.S. and is growing in popularity in many other parts of the world including Doha.
QSUP
qsup.me
+974 6660-2830
Offers several SUP classes including SUP Yoga, a combination of paddle boarding and yoga —a great way to flex your mind and body.
Paddle Qatar
paddleqatar.com
+974 5549-0895
Offers a PaddleFit course, which is a fitness class that combines SUP and kayaking manoeuvres.
Entalek Tours
entalek.org
+974 3023-3207
Kayaking
Two companies in Doha offer carefully crafted tours guided by expert kayakers that take people on water journeys around natural habitats and beautiful architecture.
Kayaking keeps you fit and is a fantastic way of seeing what the country has to offer from the water. There are a variety of excursions on offer such as paddling through mangroves, overnight camping or kayaking amongst the dhows.
Entalek Tours
entalek.org
+974 3023-3207
Also offers snorkelling, eco-adventure and environmental education tours.
Paddle Qatar
974 5549-0895
Scuba diving
There are a number of centres around Qatar, which offer a range of Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) certification courses for all ages. They all offer recreational courses as well as professional and speciality courses (night diving, underwater photography, wreck diving, etc.) for those with more serious diving goals.
Poseidon Diving Centre
pdcqatar.com
+974 4442-8402
Qatar Scuba Centre
qatarscubacenter.com
+974 6666-2277
Qatar Divers
qatardivers.com
+974 4431-3331
Kite boarding
This sport is not for the faint of heart. Instead of just using waves to propel your board across the water, kite boarding uses a large controllable kite to harness the power of the wind. Courses often start with safety lessons and practice on dry land before having a go on a board.
Flo Kite School
flokiteschool.com
+974 5504-1039
Kite Surfing Qatar
kitesurfingqatar.com
+974 3017-9108
Parasailing, windsurfing, wake boarding and more
If your teen has trouble deciding which sport to pursue, these beaches offer several activities, which would be a great way to test the waters, so to speak.
Katara Village
Katara Village has a 1.5 kilometres beach where teenagers can enjoy a relaxed beach experience or participate in the many water sport activities on offer. They have wake boarding, pedal boats, water skis, knee boarding, canoes, banana rides, windsurfing and parasailing.
katara.net/english/the-village/fun/
+974 4408-1017 +974 7710-0151
The Diplomatic Club
The Diplomatic Club offers an array of water activities for members and non-members including wakeboarding, water skiing, banana rides and dinghy sailing.
thediplomaticclub.com
+974 4484-7444
Sealine Beach Resort
The Sealine Beach Resort is located in the southern part of Qatar in Mesaieed City. They offer a number of water activities, including banana rides, wind surfing, water skiing, jet skiing, snorkelling and even a floating trampoline.
katarahospitality.com/our-hotels/sealine-beach-resort/
+974 4476-5299
Water sports day excursion
Several tour operators in Doha offer full-day water sports boat tours ideal for families with teenagers. You boat across to Safliya Island and can choose from jet skiing, banana boat rides, doughnut riding and water skiing. Included in the package are the equipment, drinks, lunch and insurance!
Qatar International Adventures (QIA)
qia-qatar.com
+974 4455-3954
Qatar Inbound Tours
inboundtoursqatar.com
+974 6687-1668 +974 7745-1196