World Sailing Aids Regional Development in Jordan and the UAE
by World Sailing 4 Dec 04:15 PST
World Sailing aids regional development in Jordan and the UAE © World Sailing
World Sailing has conducted training sessions in the Middle East aimed at helping coaches and race officials advance in their professions while promoting the growth of competitive sailing in the area.
The initial workshop took place in Aqaba, Jordan, where nine attendees – six men and three women – completed a Level 1 Technical Course for Coaches led by World Sailing Coach Developer Mohamed Gamal (EGY).
The workshop concentrated on ensuring all attendees acquired the skills necessary to instruct beginners in sailing, enabling students to interpret weather reports, evaluate conditions, rig, launch, sail their boats in any direction, and safely return to their starting point in winds of 5-15 knots.
Facilitated with assistance from the International Olympic Committee’s Olympic Solidarity fund and in collaboration with The Royal Jordanian Marine Sports Federation, this course seeks to establish the essential framework for teaching more individuals in Jordan to sail and foster the sport’s expansion.
As part of Steering the Course, World Sailing’s initiative to promote women in sailing, an all-female Race Management Clinic was also held in Dubai, UAE. This was in partnership with the UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation at the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club in Jumeirah.
The clinic was led by Pinar Coskuner Genç, an International Race Officer who will act as the Principal Race Officer for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and International Race Officer Becky Ashburn. The event gathered 20 women from Algeria, Greece, Iran, Morocco, the UAE, and the UK.
Attendees explored the theoretical aspects of race management, practical considerations, and the regulations for organizing a regatta, as well as the chance to apply their knowledge on the water. The goal was to enhance female representation in high-level sailing events, including the World Sailing Championships and the Olympics. The clinic also introduced a new Level 0 online program alongside Level 1.
Becky Ashburn commented, “This initiative from World Sailing is thrilling, marking the first all-female race management clinic in the Middle East. We have a diverse group of coaches, sailors, and interested volunteers eager to engage in race management. We’ve dedicated time in the classroom expanding our understanding of theories, practicalities, and regulations, and then practiced what we’ve learned on the water to set effective race courses and conduct successful regattas.”
Both the Royal Jordanian Marine Sports Federation and the UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation aim to build on the accomplishments of these programs to foster further progress. A Level 2 Race Coach Course is scheduled in Jordan for 2025, while the UAE plans to implement a Judging Clinic and Coaching courses.
