Yachts Head to JYC Marina for the Jeddah Season

Jeddah Yacht Club, JYC Marina and JYC Academy will host some of the world’s most dramatic and stunning yachts during Jeddah Season 2022. Ultra-modern foiling boats, round-the-world racing yachts, an A-Class tall ship and a collection of superyachts will gather in JYC Marina to celebrate Saudi Arabia’s marine heritage and the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030.

Mohideen Nazer, Senior Vice President Parks, Resorts and Hotels for Sela, the company behind Jeddah Yacht Club, JYC Marina and JYC Academy, said: “These are state-of-the-art facilities, and we are thrilled to be participating in Jeddah Season. We have brought together some amazing sailing and power boats from all around the world including super high-tech foiling boats, luxury superyachts and incredible ocean racing yachts.

We want to inspire people to take up water sports, either in the smallest of dinghy like an optimist or on a superyacht. We have something for everyone: school programs, taster sessions, mast climbs, joy rides and luxury superyacht charters."

Commenting on Saudi marine heritage, Samia Bagdady, CEO of Saudi Sailing Federation said: “Historically Jeddah relied on great sailors to help transport cargo from ships moored off Jeddah Port – the faster the sailors, the more trips they made, and the more they were paid for their services. They even had friendly races to transport pilgrims coming to Hajj from the ships! 

"Now we are re-kindling this marine spirit and through Jeddah Season hope to inspire a new generation of great Saudi sailors. We have partnered with Jeddah Yacht Club to develop a sporting pathway. We are promoting the beautiful Red Sea coast and will be attracting sport and marine businesses to Jeddah. We have an amazing program of activity, and we welcome all to join us.”

Jeddah Yacht Club and JYC Marina are new world-leading facilities and visitors during Jeddah Season will be invited to experience the thrills of sailing and power boats in a variety of activities, including:

• Fly above the waves on the 69F carbon fiber foiling yachts or watch professional sailors from around the world rise up and foil Moths

• Visit one of three ocean racing yachts and experience just what it is like to sail 50,000 kilometers around the planet.

• Take a whirlwind tour on the Red Sea in in Jeddah 01 our strikingly designed Volvo Ocean 60 or Jenssan de Jong a Volvo Ocean 65.

• The adventurous can come aboard Jeddah 02 and try climbing 20 meters above deck in our Mast Climb Feel the excitement of being an ocean racer while enjoying great views across the Red Sea.

• Take a look inside a Volvo Ocean 65 race yacht that has been cut down the middle to show how sailors live and work for up to nine months whilst racing around the planet.

• Enjoy a full program of water sports activities, including dinghy sailing, kayaking and SUP (stand up paddle) free for schools participating in our educational programme and run by our internationally renowned water sports instructors at the JYC Academy in the marina

Join the Festival of Yachting Lifestyle (FoYL) from 11^th-16^th May at JYC Marina and marvel at the showcase of superyachts and luxury boating brands from RIVA, Princess, Pershing, Gulf Craft, Custom Line, Ferretti Yachts, Di-Antonio, Brunswick and many more. The line-up is set to include the first-ever showing in the Middle East of several new models of boat, and also the unique historic 1952 Ferrari ARNO XI  – an incredible V12-powered race boat built by Enzo Ferrari specifically to gain the world water speed record, which it immediately did, and holds to this day.

Also, on show during the Festival of Yachting Lifestyle will be a classic 1960 Riva Ariston, and a Hermes Speedster - a modern version of the gentlemen’s boats of that era, with its Porsche-like lines and unique character. On the quayside looking over the amazing collection of yachts, will be a collection of highly-prized classic cars, alongside a fleet of the world’s most famous supercar and luxury car brands – all for sale at very special prices!

The iconic Jeddah Yacht Club proudly overlooking JYC Marina will be inviting prospective members to sample the magic of this new members’ club. A design inspired by Sela’s inhouse team represents the fusion of travel and emotion – a mast to elevate, a sail to capture magical moments, and a boom to lift spirits, day and night. Jeddah Yacht Club is designed with luxury in mind, including a state-of-the-art Wellness Centre, the Social House restaurant curated by Michelin Star chef Jason Atherton, a Beach Club in partnership with Omnia, a VIP RIVA Sky Lounge and business center.

• Jeddah Yacht Club has partnered with Yacht Club de Monaco and will be hosting a private night of glitz and glamour during Jeddah Season.

• Saudi Sailing Federation will host the National ILCA Championship (Olympic class boat formerly called Laser) at Jeddah Yacht Club during Jeddah Season, where talented Saudi sailors are invited to compete for a place in the Saudi team entering the Asian Games in China later this year.

Hassan AlKabbani, President of the Saudi Sailing Federation said: “Sailing is coming to Jeddah Season, and it is very exciting. We will use this momentous event to spark an interest and passion for boating amongst the people of Saudi and to showcase to the sailing world that they should come to Saudi Arabia and enjoy our beautiful waters and warm hospitality. 

"We have 1,760 kilometers of wonderful Red Sea coastline that is perfect for boating, be it cruising or racing. Our partnership with SELA is designed to provide opportunities for people to go boating and Jeddah Season is our first major showcase.”