Red Sea Global celebrates Saudi Arabia’s rich maritime heritage with launch of the Red Sea Classic Sailing Race

Red Sea Global (RSG) has announced the successful close of the Red Sea Classic Sailing Race 2024. This vibrant two-day event, held along the shores of Turtle Bay Village, brought together residents from the local communities as well as visitors to The Red Sea destination to celebrate traditional sailboat racing and to honor the rich maritime heritage of the Red Sea region.

Showcasing 11 beautifully restored traditional sailboats, the Red Sea Classic Sailing Race 2024 was made possible through collaborative efforts during the restoration phase with the National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, Oil Sustainability Program (OSP) and leading partner JOTUN. RSG also partnered with Tamkeen, a local NGO, to transfer the knowledge of building the sailboats from the local experts to the young people from the nearby area, ensuring the essential skills of ship restoration are preserved within the community.

The unforgettable experience emphasized the importance of preserving Saudi Arabia’s cultural identity

“The inspiration for this initiative came from the heartfelt words of local fisherman, Sheik Ameen Sanosi, whose deep passion for traditional sailboats sparked our commitment to restoring these special vessels. With the launch of the Red Sea Classic Sailing Race, we are reaffirming our dedication to upholding Saudi Arabia’s maritime cultural heritage while celebrating the spirit of adventure and competition,” said Engineer Ahmad Darwish, Chief Administrative Officer at RSG.
The sailing race featured thrilling races involving local sailors, each competing for significant cash prizes. The first place prize of SAR 50,000 was claimed by Musaed Al Kabeedi. This was followed by Ibrahim Abu Bakr in second place earning SAR 30,000, with Eid Sanoosi running third and taking home SAR 20,000 in prize money. All other participants received a SAR 5,000 prize for their efforts. Spectators enjoyed a lively bazaar onshore, showcasing local arts and crafts, as well as cultural performances that celebrated the region’s heritage.

RSG’s unwavering commitment to social development is reflected in a series of impactful initiatives that honor local heritage and foster community engagement. One the company’s standout projects, Souq Amerah, started out as a pilot project, providing farmers, craftsmen, and artists a platform to showcase and sell different foods, merchandise, crafts and other products while celebrating local culture through traditional musical performances and cultural heritage workshops.

Other initiatives include The Red Sea Farm Cooperative (TAMALA), co-founded by RSG, which works with some 3,000 local farms to ensure that a sustainable supply food chain is created for the destination and that local businesses directly benefit too.

The Red Sea Classic Sailing Race 2024 graced the shores of Turtle Bay Village, offering an engaging two-day event dedicated to celebrating traditional sailboat racing

The Red Sea welcomed its first guests last year, with three of its hotels now open. Shebara recently opened open with Desert Rock expected to welcome first guests later this year, while Shura Island is on track to welcome guests in 2025. Red Sea International Airport, which is situated within three hours’ flying time of 250 million people and eight hours’ flying time for 8% of the world’s population, has been receiving a regular schedule of domestic flights since September 2023. International flights began in April 2024, with a twice-weekly route between The Red Sea and Dubai International.