Today's Edition
AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (ABU DHABI)
Young, aspiring "captains" in Abu Dhabi will be back at sea this summer, learning the ropes of sailing traditional dhows as they discover how their ancestors navigated a seafaring life.
Led by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club Academy, the 2026 Noukhthat Abu Dhabi Summer Programme runs from July 13 to August 20.
This year, the programme expands to Abu Dhabi, Al Mirfa, and Dalma Island, bringing it closer to communities with strong historical ties to the sea and widening access for youth across the emirate.
Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Director of the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club Academy, said Noukhthat aims to pass maritime knowledge from one generation to the next "in a practical and sustainable way".
"It introduces participants to traditional sailing, dhow handling, seamanship, wind awareness and navigation," he said. Trainees sit for classroom lessons and eventually move on to hands-on sessions on deck," he said.
The programme presents these traditions in a modern format that combines "education, enjoyment, and practical value", Al Suwaidi added. "It allows participants not only to learn about maritime heritage, but to experience it directly."
Strong turnout in previous editions has made Noukhthat one of Abu Dhabi's leading summer activities for the youth. But Al Suwaidi stressed that the programme's success is determined by its impact on preserving the country's maritime heritage, not just participation numbers.
"We measure the programme's long-term impact through its ability to strengthen the connection between young people and the UAE's maritime heritage," he said.
Beyond technical training, the programme builds leadership skills and self-confidence, and instils teamwork, discipline and responsibility. It also strengthens participants' sense of civic duty and national identity while encouraging respect for the marine environment.
"These values align with Abu Dhabi's broader youth development goals by preparing a generation that is confident, team-oriented and capable of contributing positively to society," Al Suwaidi said.
