Unleashing a slew of adrenaline-pumping activities

The fourth theme week of Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) officially kicks off on Thursday evening with a colourful opening ceremony at the Mall of the Emirates. Organised by the Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS), the Adventure Surprises week runs from July 13 to July 19 presenting an array of fun-filled, adventurous events. The opening ceremony will be attended by VIPs, top DSS Officials and Khalid Ahmed Al Sheikh, Acting Director General, DOHMS and Hamza Abbas, Chairman of Adventure Surprises Organising Committee from DOHMS, sponsors, Organising Committee members and members of the media.

A special stage is being set up in the Galleria area of the Mall of the Emirates where the opening ceremony takes place today at 7.30pm. Themed on Adventure is Fun the opening ceremony will entail acrobatic performances by a Chinese group of 28 members. The performers will be seen juggling with various props such as plates, balls, chairs and bikes. They will also present some unbelievable stunts by balancing on bikes and chairs. The unbelievable stunts, juggling and balancing acts during the 35-minute show are sure to have the audiences gape in wonder at the expertise of the performers. The stage décor too is in line with the theme of the week and has sophisticated light and laser display to put up a truly dazzling extravaganza. The surrounding ambience of the mall will be an indication of what's in store through the week ahead.

The Adventure Surprises week entails a host of events and shows by internationally acclaimed performers who will fly down to Dubai especially for the DSS visitors. Several interactive shows with active audience participation as well as a number of indoor and outdoor activities are lined up to make a truly adventurous week.

In an attempt to exploit the unlimited fun of beach activities, the DOHMs Organising Committee team gives the visitors a chance to hit the outdoors with several interesting events to test the physical and mental strength of the participants. The public will be treated to adventurous water sports and beach activities organised by the Department during the week. The beach events are being organised for the very first time during the DSS and are expected to attract a huge visitor turnout. A huge air-conditioned tent meeting all safety requirements will be set up at the beach to counter the heat. If it gets too hot outside the participants can take refuge in the cool confines of the tent. The beach events will be held at Al Mamzar beach between 4pm to 10pm every day of the theme week beginning tomorrow.

Other events to be held during the week will showcase a varied mix of activities to suit a cross-section of people attending the summer fiesta.

A very interesting event is the Around the World Treasure Hunt at BurJuman every day between 5pm and 10pm which aims to give an interactive platform to kids to make them aware of different cultures around the world. It's an educational event that entails four different activities such as Pirate Adventures, African Jungle Adventure, Arabian Knight Adventure and Wild West Adventure.

Visitors can have a first hand experience of daring adventure through Bungee Jumping and Space Ball. Both the acts require strong nerves and challenge lay people to partake of some spine chilling stuff. The two events take place at Ibn Battuta Mall throughout the week between 5pm to 10pm. The mall also hosts several fun-filled and adventurous events for the little ones such as Fun Castle and Paintless Paintball Adventures where their concentration and aim will be put to a test. The Wild Bull Rodeo Challenge is also an exciting activity where the participants hold on to a rotating remote controlled bull for as long as possible. Pinnacle Show Challenge will have the kids climb up a mountain to test their stamina and competitive spirit.

Several electronic and virtual games to stimulate the mental faculties and reflexes of children are also being held throughout the week. These include 3D Computer Games Competition, Inning Rally Competition and Amazed by Maze Competition at Al Ghurair City every day of the week between 5pm and 10pm. The competitions include both team and individual games with loads of prizes for the participants and winners. The mall will also host a Jugglers' show on July 13 between 6pm to 6.30pm, 7.30pm to 8pm and 9pm to 9.30pm. The show would be subsequently held at Burjuman Centre on July 14, Al Reef Mall on July 15, Lamcy Plaza on July 16, Mall of the Emirates on July 17, Ibn Battuta Mall on July 18 and Deira City Centre on July 19 same time.

An half hour show known as Happy Stars Show takes place at the Mall of the Emirates from July 13 to July 19 four times a day, with 12-minute performances with two acrobats performing amazing stunts with bikes.

Chinese Adventures is being presented by an internationally renowned team of 14 members who will perform magic shows in different shopping malls. The shows are being held at Lamcy Plaza on July 14, Al Ghurair City on July 15, Ibn Battuta Mall on July 16, Burjuman Centre on July 17, Al Reef mall on July 18 and Mall of the Emirates on July 19 between 5pm to 5.30pm, 7.30 pm to 8pm and 9pm to 9.30pm.

Another Chinese show is the Chinese Acrobatic Show by a team of 28 members who perform at the opening ceremony and then tour different malls in the city throughout the week. The show takes place at Al Ghurair City on July 14, Deira City Centre on July 15, BurJuman on July 16, Al Reef Mall on July 17, Lamcy Plaza on July 18, Ibn Battuta Mall on July 19 in three half hour shows at 6pm, 7.30pm and 9pm.

An Animal Circus show performed by well-trained team of animals instead of humans takes place at Lamcy Plaza on July 13, July 17 and July 19, Ibn Battuta Mall on July 15, Al Reef mall on July 16, Al Mamzar Beach on July 18 at 6pm to 6.30pm, 7.30pm to 8pm and 9pm to 9.30pm.

Trampoline Show by a team of eight professionals will present a synchronised trampoline jumping. They will also walk on stilts and perform acrobats. The 25-minutes show takes place at BurJuman today at 6pm, 7.30pm and 9pm. It will subsequently take place at mall of the Emirates on July 14, Lamcy Plaza on July 15, Deira City Centre on July 16, Ibn Battuta Mall on July 17, Burjuman on July 18 and Al Reef Mall on July19.

Apart from this, the week will be packed with a number of competitions which will make up the Adventure Festival to be held at BurJuman starting today until July 19 between 5pm and 10pm to keep the little ones engaged in fruitful activities. The competitions will be held in various rounds and the qualifying participants will go on to the final round and get a chance to win attractive prizes. The 4x4 Competition at Reef Mall is another such event which is sure to encourage healthy competition among children. The winners of the race will walk away with fabulous prizes.

The 10-week long DSS, which opened with the Ice Surprises week on June 21, celebrated the Art Surprises and Food Surprises weeks and continues with the Adventure Surprises, Cartoon Surprises, Nature Surprises, Knowledge Surprises, Flower Surprises, Heritage Surprises, and concludes with Back-2-School Surprises on September 1.