Dubai International Marine Club has launched its new season of Modern Sailing Training, scheduled to run throughout September, with notable community participation from 30 participants representing different nationalities and age groups. The initiative reflects the growing interest in marine sports in Dubai and the UAE, while reaffirming the Club’s commitment to supporting this Olympic sport.
The program forms part of the Club’s ongoing plans to expand participation in marine sports, discover emerging talent, and provide diverse training pathways for both UAE nationals and residents, within a sporting environment that combines learning, safety, discipline and enjoyment of the sea.
Ahmad Al Sumaiti, Director of Sports Teams Department at the Dubai International Marine Club, explained that this season introduces a new training pathway for ILCA boats, one of the Olympic sailing classes, designed for participants aged 15 and above. This addition has expanded the program to include older age groups, alongside the Optimist sailing program designed for children and juniors.
He said: “The program supervised by Yousuf Khalid Al Bastaki, Chief Coach Leader at the Club’s Talent and Sports Performance Development Section, has attracted considerable attention due to the diversity in the ages of its participants. We have welcomed trainees in their twenties, thirties, forties and even sixties, alongside children and juniors. This demonstrates the versatility of sailing and its ability to attract different segments of society, while confirming that learning through sport is not limited to a specific age.”
Training sessions began over the weekend, with Saturdays dedicated to the Optimist category across Levels 1 and 2. Sundays are dedicated to the ILCA category, with morning sessions for women and girls and afternoon sessions for youth and men.
Yousuf Khalid Al Bastaki, said the strong participation at the beginning of the season sends a positive message about the growing awareness within the community of the importance of marine sports.
He said: “Modern sailing is distinguished by its ability to attract participants from different age groups. A person can begin at a young age, but can also take up the sport later in life. It demonstrates that sport is a lifestyle, providing health, knowledge and self-confidence. As UAE national coaches, we are proud to see UAE nationals and residents from different nationalities learning an Olympic marine sport here in the UAE under the supervision of specialize national coaches. This reflects the openness, coexistence and opportunities available to everyone in our country to learn and develop.”
He added that the development of the Optimist and ILCA program forms part of a structured training vision aimed at providing participants with a clear pathway — beginning with an introduction to the sport and its basic principles, progressing through the development of technical skills, and ultimately leading to advanced levels and competitive sailing for those who demonstrate the talent and desire to continue.
Al Bastaki extended his thanks and appreciation to Dr. Ahmad Saeed bin Meshar, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Dubai International Marine Club, and the members of the Board, as well as the Club Executive Director Mohammed Abdullah Harib, for their continued support of Modern Sailing and their commitment to developing training program and promoting awareness of modern and Olympic marine sports within the community.
He noted that this support reflects the Club’s clear vision of investing in national talent, developing skills and enhancing community participation in marine sports, while also preserving the historic relationship between the people of the UAE and the sea and presenting this heritage to new generations through a modern sporting and educational approach.
The program has also witnessed notable participation from UAE nationals, alongside participants from a wide range of nationalities, including young people, girls, men, women and parents. The diverse participation reflects the multicultural character of Dubai and its ability to bring members of different communities together through sport, knowledge and marine experiences.
The program has also attracted very young participants, with the youngest attendee being just three years old. This highlights the growing interest among families in introducing their children to the marine environment and related sports from an early age. The Club continues to develop its training methodology progressively, taking into consideration participants’ ages, skill levels and individual abilities.
Through these programs, the Dubai International Marine Club continues to strengthen its sporting and community role, leveraging Dubai’s global standing and diverse society to provide a marine experience that brings together UAE nationals and residents of different nationalities in an environment built around learning, discipline, challenge and connection.
