Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) has concluded the third edition of its Modern Sailing Program, with participation increasing this year to 83 participants representing diverse nationalities, reflecting strong interest across different age groups in learning and developing skills in this Olympic sport.
The Program concluded after a season marked by growing participation from UAE nationals, residents and their families. The experience spanned three training phases from January through September, forming part of the Club’s 2025–2027 strategy to strengthen the sustainability of marine sports, increase community participation, promote awareness of modern Olympic sports, identify emerging talent, and establish development pathways that enable participants to progress from initial exposure to structured development and competition.
The final week represented an important milestone, with participants demonstrating clear progress in sailing skills, boat handling, understanding wind direction and marine safety, as well as increased confidence, discipline and decision-making abilities throughout the training sessions.
The Program extended beyond sporting development, incorporating educational, awareness and community elements. It brought together UAE nationals and residents from a wide range of backgrounds, with participation from children, young people, women, men and parents. This reflected the diversity that defines the UAE and Dubai, while demonstrating the ability of sport to bring communities together through learning, health and the UAE’s rich maritime heritage.
Ahmad Al Sumaiti, Head of Sports Teams at Dubai International Marine Club, expressed his appreciation to H.E. Dr. Ahmad Saeed bin Meshar, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dubai International Marine Club, the members of the Board, and Mohammed Harib, Executive Director of the Club, for their continued support of the Program and their commitment to developing modern sailing and expanding community participation.
He also praised the efforts of everyone involved at the Club, including the coaching, technical, organizational, logistics, security and safety teams, emphasizing that the achievements of the season were the result of a fully integrated team effort.
Al Sumaiti explained that the objective from the outset was for the Program to be much more than sailing instruction.
“From day one, our goal was for the Program to be more than simply learning how to sail a boat. We wanted it to be an awareness, introduction and training program through which we could build confidence among our young people, introduce the community to a beautiful Olympic sport, and identify talents that we can continue to develop in the future.”
Yousuf Khalid Al Bastaki, Head Coach in the Talent and Sports Performance Development Department at Dubai International Marine Club, said that concluding the season with such strong participation reflects the success of the vision behind the Program from its inception.
He noted that reaching 83 participants comprising UAE nationals and residents from diverse backgrounds, while witnessing their development from their first day through to the completion of their training, represents an achievement the Club is proud of.
“The number itself is not the most important measure of success. What matters is that every participant leaves with new knowledge, greater confidence and a different relationship with the sea.”
Al Bastaki added:
“As an Emirati and international coach, I am proud to represent Dubai International Marine Club and the UAE to the highest standard, and to share my experience and knowledge with UAE nationals and residents from different backgrounds. This is both a national and professional responsibility. In the UAE, we are always proud to see our national talents capable of representing the country through knowledge, dedication and professionalism wherever they are.”
He emphasized that having an Emirati coaching team leading training in an Olympic sailing discipline for a diverse community reflects the development of national expertise and the level of confidence achieved by UAE talent in marine sports.
“What I have learned throughout my sporting and coaching journey, I now strive to pass on to the next generation. My ambition is to build a genuine community foundation for modern sailing, so that every child, young person or adult who joins the Program sees an opportunity to learn and develop. Not every participant is expected to become a champion, but every future champion needs a first opportunity from which to begin.”
He also highlighted the Club’s success in strengthening families’ confidence in the Program, demonstrated by the consistent presence and support of parents, as well as participation across different age groups.
He noted that this level of engagement represents one of the Program’s most important indicators of community success.
The conclusion of the season reflects a story that goes beyond participation numbers. It brings together the UAE’s maritime heritage, the expertise of Emirati coaches, community diversity and modern Olympic sport, reaffirming Dubai International Marine Club’s continued role in serving the community and preparing the next generation.
Through initiatives such as the Modern Sailing Program, the Club continues to build a bridge between the UAE’s maritime heritage and the future of its modern sporting disciplines, placing people at the heart of its training ecosystem.
The Club believes that every talent begins with an opportunity, every champion begins with a first step, and meaningful investment in sport begins with building confidence, sharing knowledge and opening the sea to a new generation of ambition.
This vision carries particular significance during the UAE’s Year of Family 2026, with the training sessions demonstrating strong family engagement. Parents participated alongside their children, while multiple generations took part in modern sailing, sharing experiences and knowledge in a sporting environment that brings together learning, health and enjoyment of the sea.
