SAUDIA ARABIA: A sailing club in the coastal Saudi city of Jeddah introduces water sports, drawing in a host of young men keen to compete professionally at an international level

Record ID: 188950

  • Title: SAUDIA ARABIA: A sailing club in the coastal Saudi city of Jeddah introduces water sports, drawing in a host of young men keen to compete professionally at an international level
  • Date: 22nd March 2012
  • Summary: JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA (RECENT) (REUTERS) SPORTSMEN PREPARING SAILING EQUIPMENT AT JEDDAH BEACH SPORTSMEN WEARING LIFE JACKET VARIOUS OF SPORTSMEN PREPARING SAIL BOATS THREE SAILORS WITH THEIR COACH SAILORS WITH THEIR TRAINER AND SAFETY SUPERVISOR TRAINER AND SAFETY SUPERVISOR GIVING INSTRUCTIONS TO THE GROUP VARIOUS OF SAFETY SUPERVISOR GIVING INSTRUCTIONS TO THE GROUP ON IPAD TABLET (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ZUHAIR KHALIFA, SAFETY SUPERVISOR AT THE "DISTINCTIVE SAILOR CLUB", SAYING: "This sport is practised abroad, and now we are can practise this sport at the club. We have introduced modern procedures and commit the players to wearing a life jacket for these activities." SAILORS WASHING THEIR BOATS SAILORS TAKING BOATS INTO THE SEA VARIOUS OF PEOPLE ROWING PRINCE TURKY BIN THAMER, SECRETARY-GENERAL OF "DISTINCTIVE SAILOR CLUB" WATCHING SPORTSMEN SAILING (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PRINCE TURKY BIN THAMER, SECRETARY-GENERAL OF "DISTINCTIVE SAILOR CLUB", SAYING: "Club members come for training on a daily basis, depending on their specialisation -- sailing, rowing or diving. We are preparing them to represent the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in international competitions. In accordance with a mandate from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, we are establishing a class one powerboat team, under my leadership. God willing, we will represent our country with this team." VARIOUS OF PEOPLE ROWING ROWERS REACHING THE END MAN CLIMBING HIS BOAT (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) CAPTAIN HAMAD AL-JA'AID, CLUB MEMBER, SAYING: "The Distinctive Sailor Club specialises in sailing and rowing. The club has prepared and fitted out over thirty-six sailing boats of varying sizes as well as different kinds of rowing equipment for single and double rowing." VARIOUS OF SALE BOATS SAILING IN THE SEA COACH WHISTLING TO SAILOR MAN SAILING SAIL BOATS MOORED ON THE BEACH (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SULTAN AL-NISHMI, CLUB MEMBER, SAYING: "Today, we look at the sea as a very beautiful venue for professional sport. Registration of new members begins with educating the member about the sea and about the various sports. Then personal data, contact details are registered. After registration, we inform the member about the club, and about health and safety issues, in the presence of the member's father or family member." HIGH SPEED BOAT PULLING A BANANA BOAT WITH MAN ON BOARD WAVES BEHIND THE BOAT MAN FALLING IN THE WATER MAN CLIMBING INTO BANANA BOAT MAN BEING PULLED BY HIGH SPEED BOAT VARIOUS OF BOAT IN THE SEA
  • Embargoed: 6th April 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Saudi Arabia
  • Country: Saudi Arabia
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA895VA4VE7SB2OQMDHJ8F1LSA5
  • Story Text: The Distinctive Sailor Club in Jeddah has launched a range of water sports in an effort to groom its visitors into professional teams.

    Situated on the Red Sea coast, the city draws in people looking for adventures in the sea.

    The club -- which is made up of former naval officers, sailors and boat owners -- had started out with yachting for pleasure. Over time, it started providing yachting related services.

    And now, it has set its sights on water sports.

    "This sport is practised abroad, and now we are can practise this sport at the club. We have introduced modern procedures and commit the players to wearing a life jacket for these activities," said Zuhair Khalifa, a safety supervisor at the club.

    The club trains people in sailing, rowing and speed boat sailing. Introducing these activities was the idea of Prince Turkey Bin Thamer, who is a keen sportsman, and who received permission from the king to expand the club's services.

    "Club members come for training on a daily basis, depending on their specialisation -- sailing, rowing or diving. We are preparing them to represent the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in international competitions. In accordance with a mandate from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, we are establishing a class one powerboat team, under my leadership. God willing, we will represent our country with this team," Prince Thamer said.

    The club wants to train its members for international rowing and sailing competitions.

    "The Distinctive Sailor Club specialises in sailing and rowing. The club has prepared and fitted out over thirty-six sailing boats of varying sizes as well as different kinds of rowing equipment for single and double rowing," said captain Hamad al-Ja'aid, who is a member of the club.

    The club takes adequate safety measures for its members.

    "Today, we look at the sea as a very beautiful venue for professional sport. Registration of new members begins with educating the member about the sea and about the various sports. Then personal data, contact details are registered. After registration, we inform the member about the club, and about health and safety issues, in the presence of the member's father or family member," said club member Sultan al-Nishmi.

    The club's teams have already taken part in several competitions in the country, as well as in the Gulf region.
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