The Dubai International Marine Club announced that its 2026 Modern Sailing Summer Camp wrapped up on July 30 following a pre-final assessment on July 29 in which students demonstrated substantial gains in both practical and theoretical skills after three weeks of intensive training at Bulgari Beach. Ahmad Al Sumaiti, Director of Sports Teams at the club, pointed to the marked progress shown by participants in areas such as boat handling, wind awareness and independent sailing over extended distances. Al Sumaiti credited the results to the expertise of the coaching staff, the commitment shown by the young sailors and the consistent backing provided by their families throughout the summer holiday period.
In a statement carried on the club’s website, Al Sumaiti said the program sought to build more than sailing proficiency by fostering essential personal qualities. “We are proud of the remarkable progress achieved by the participants over the past three weeks. This success is the result of the professional work led by our coaching team, the dedication of the students, and the tremendous support of their parents,” he said. Al Sumaiti added that the club remains focused on preparing a new generation of Emirati and resident youth through initiatives that follow international standards and support the expansion of marine and Olympic sports while strengthening Dubai’s reputation as a talent development centre.
Captain Yousef Khalid Al Bastaki, Head Coach at the club and supervisor of the program, reported that students exhibited strong concentration and self-reliance when applying lessons learned during the assessment phase. “During the pre-final assessment, the students displayed excellent focus and determination. They confidently applied the skills they had learned over the past weeks with greater independence, particularly in identifying wind direction, sailing longer distances, changing course, and safely returning to shore,” Al Bastaki said. The Emirati coach, who first joined the club at age 14 and advanced through its ranks, described the work as an opportunity to develop discipline, confidence, responsibility and resilience among all UAE-based students in a supportive setting.
Al Bastaki underlined the decisive contribution of parental involvement to the camp’s outcomes, especially given the early-morning schedule maintained throughout the vacation period. “Family support plays a vital role in every student’s success and continued participation in the sport,” he stated. He noted that the decision to pursue training after a full academic year represented a significant personal accomplishment and demonstrated families’ investment in activities that integrate learning, physical development and character formation.
According to the Dubai International Marine Club, the Modern Sailing Summer Camp serves as the entry level within its structured athlete development system, enabling successful candidates to progress to Level 2 and Level 3 programs in subsequent stages. The curriculum combines athletic demands with scientific principles covering balance, speed, distance judgment, rapid decision-making and environmental stewardship toward the marine setting. Program details released by the club indicate that participants from multiple nationalities trained together, illustrating sport’s capacity to encourage inclusion and cultural exchange within Dubai’s diverse community.
Al Sumaiti stated that these youth initiatives form part of the club’s wider mandate to advance maritime heritage, nurture local coaching talent and identify emerging athletes for higher-level competition. The club plans to release information on future activities through its official website and social media platforms. Completion of the Level 1 certificate marks an initial milestone for young sailors aiming to compete at national and international levels in the years ahead.
