Saudi Sailing Federation

What Saudi Sailing Federation does

The Saudi Sailing Federation is the official national governing body for sailing and water sports in Saudi Arabia, operating under the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee. It oversees four disciplines — sailing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, and wingfoiling — across multiple boat classes (ILCA 4/6/7, Optimist, Keelboat) and provides a structured development pathway from beginner to Olympic representation. The federation's headquarters is in Jeddah on the Red Sea coast, with the Jeddah Sailing Center at Kokayan Beach serving as the primary training and competition facility. Services are distributed through a network of certified sailing centers, clubs, and freelance instructors across the Kingdom, supported by a digital member portal.

The federation operates a segmented program portfolio targeting distinct customer segments: children aged 8-15 (Optimist boats and freestyle sports via seasonal camps), youth aged 15-20 (competitive sailing via ILCA, RS Feva, and Keelboat), adults aged 20-80, schools and universities (scholastic sailing curriculum), corporate teams (team-building programs), people with disabilities (Paralympic sailing using Hansa 303 boats), and elite Olympic pathway athletes. Revenue streams include membership fees (subscription recurring with discounts on competition registration and free training for children), competition and event registration fees, corporate sailing programs, and training and education services. Pricing is not publicly disclosed.

Strategically, the federation is aligned with Saudi Vision 2030's goals for sports development and economic diversification. It has hosted major international events including the America's Cup in Jeddah (September 2025), the Youth and Women's Match Race World Championships 2024, and the inaugural Follow the Wind Saudi Kitesurfing Series. The federation is led by an Interim Board of Directors (2024-2028) chaired by Hassan Kabbani, with operational leadership including CEO Nassreen Ghanim and Head of Product and Business Development Turki Al-Mutairi. Recent partnerships with Salus, the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, and the University of Business and Technology indicate active ecosystem expansion across academic, government, and commercial channels.

Name

Saudi Sailing Federation

Legal name

Saudi Sailing Federation

Website

https://sailsaudi.sa

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Saudi Sailing Federation is the national governing body for sailing and water sports in Saudi Arabia, operating under the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee. It delivers training, competitions, and Olympic pathway programs across sailing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, and wingfoiling disciplines for children, youth, adults, schools, corporate teams, and athletes with disabilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports Federation / Sailing Governance

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211), Marinas (713930), Spectator Sports (71121)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Sailing & Water Sports Teams/Clubs (Sailing, Rowing, Surfing) (MPAKABAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sailing Experiences (Lessons, Regattas, Day Sails) (THAJAJAG), Surf, Kitesurf & Wind Sports Adventures (THAJABAK)

Keywords

• Sailing federation governance
• Water sports training
• Competitive sailing events
• Olympic athlete development
• Maritime education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Jeddah

HQ country

Saudi Arabia

HQ region

Middle East

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Official membership program offering digital membership cards with benefits including competition registration discounts, free children's training sessions, priority event access, professional development opportunities, and newsletters.
2. Competition and Event Registration: Revenue from registering athletes and teams in official sailing competitions, match races, and championship events organized by the federation.
3. Corporate Sailing Programs: Team-building sailing programs for corporations, teaching collaboration, trust, and rapid decision-making through sailing experiences.
4. Training and Education: Sailing lessons and training programs across various disciplines (sailing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, wingfoiling) for different age groups and skill levels.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Saudi Sailing Federation is the official national governing body for sailing in Saudi Arabia, providing sailing training programs, competitive regattas, memberships, and athlete development pathways across its coastal and inland sailing centers. It serves individual sailors (children, youth, adults), corporate teams, schools, and elite athletes, and represents Saudi Arabia in international sailing competitions. The federation operates under the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee and is affiliated with World Sailing.

Product overview

The Saudi Sailing Federation operates a comprehensive water sports platform and governing body for sailing activities in Saudi Arabia. The organization offers structured sailing programs across four disciplines: sailing (ILCA classes, Optimist, Keelboat), kitesurfing, windsurfing, and wingfoiling. Programs are segmented by age group (kids 8-15, youth 15-20, adults 20+) and include specialized offerings for scholastic institutions, corporate teams, Olympic pathway development, and paralympic sailing. The federation manages a digital membership program with benefits including competition discounts and training access. Event offerings include Youth Match Race, Women's Match Race, and the Follow The Wind Saudi Kitesurfing Series. Boat classes include ILCA 4/6/7, Optimist, and Keelboat, with the federation also operating sailing centers throughout the Kingdom.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sailing Training Programs

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 300 people introduced to sailing through community events
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SaluscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 December 2025Strategic partnership announced December 26, 2025, signed in the presence of CEO Nassreen Ghanim and Turki Al-Mutairi (Head of Product and Business Development). Aims to create sustainable growth and value for both parties.
• University of Business and TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 August 2025MoU signed August 21, 2025, to enhance cooperation in organizing marine activities and events, supporting sailing sport growth, creating participation opportunities for students and local community.
• Royal Commission for Jubail and YanbucoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 August 2025Cooperation agreement signed August 14, 2025, aimed at expanding maritime activities, enabling community participation in marine events, and supporting Saudi Vision 2030 for marine sports development.
• IN2 FitnessminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership offering exclusive fitness benefits and discounts to federation members, promoting fitness, healthy lifestyles, and an active community.
• Hajj Sail TeamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational sailing team welcomed to Saudi Arabia in a visit showcasing Saudi hospitality and cultural exchange through sailing.
• Jeddah Yacht Club and MarinacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue for America's Cup hosting and Youth/Women's Match Race World Championships 2024. Only location outside Spain to host the 37th America's Cup event.
• Meem HoldingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver sponsor of Follow the Wind | Saudi Kitesurfing Series, the first championship of its kind in the kingdom.
• Domino's PizzaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Follow the Wind | Saudi Kitesurfing Series event.
• Red BullminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor supporting the first edition of the Saudi Kitesurfing Series championship.
• Royal Saudi Border GuardsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment entity collaborating on sailing events and competitions, supporting maritime sports development.
• Saudi Ministry of SportscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment ministry collaborating on organizing events, regulations, and national sailing team development.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• World Sailing: The international governing body for sailing recognized by the IOC. The Saudi Sailing Federation is a member national authority, making World Sailing a direct umbrella/broader-incumbent peer setting Olympic class rules and sanctioning events like the America's Cup.
• SailGP: Global professional sailing league with high-profile events. Comparable to the Saudi Sailing Federation's elite event-hosting ambitions (America's Cup, World Championships) and represents a peer in using competitive sailing for national brand building.

Direct peers

• Federación Española de Vela (Royal Spanish Sailing Federation): Spain's national sailing federation. Directly comparable as a national federation overseeing Olympic pathway programs, training centers, and competitions — particularly relevant since Saudi Arabia hosted the America's Cup event previously only held in Spain.
• Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron: Historic yacht club and America's Cup competitor/host. Comparable to the Saudi Sailing Federation in hosting major international sailing competitions, training elite athletes, and providing maritime sports infrastructure for its region.
• Yacht Club de Monaco: A prestigious yacht club hosting elite sailing events and youth training programs. Comparable to the Saudi Sailing Federation in hosting international regattas (La Belle Classe, Monaco Yacht Show) and operating training academies for elite-level sailors.
• US Sailing Association: The national governing body for sailing in the United States. Peers with the Saudi Sailing Federation in regulating the sport, training athletes through Olympic pathways, certifying instructors, and hosting national and international competitions.
• Royal Yachting Association: The national governing body for sailing and water sports in the UK. Directly comparable to the Saudi Sailing Federation as a national federation overseeing sailing, training, certification, competitions, and member programs across a country.

Emerging players

• International Kiteboarding Association: International governing body for kitesurfing/kiteboarding. The Saudi Sailing Federation's kitesurfing program (including Follow The Wind Saudi Kitesurfing Series) and Formula Kite Olympic pathway parallel IKA's role in growing the discipline globally.

Regional players

• UAE Sailing & Rowing Federation: Gulf-region national sailing federation in the UAE. Comparable in regional scope, multi-discipline coverage (sailing, rowing, water sports), and government-backed positioning as a Gulf maritime sports authority.

Others

• Jeddah Yacht Club and Marina: Marina/yacht club venue partner of the Saudi Sailing Federation. Functions as a closely aligned ecosystem partner providing waterfront infrastructure for federation events, training, and America's Cup hosting (rather than a direct competitor).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/sailsaudi
• Xx.com/Sailsaudi
• Facebookfacebook.com/SaudiSailingFederation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sail-saudi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Saudi Sailing Federation