My UAE: cable wakeboarding competitor Omeir Saeed

Wakeboarding talent Omeir Saeed, of Abu Dhabi, is making a name for himself on the international stage, as a Red Bull representative.

Passion and dedication to the sport are Omeir Saeed’s motivating factors. Mona Al Marzooqi / The National

He may be just 18, but Omeir Saeed is making a name for himself on the international sporting stage. The cable wakeboarder will compete tomorrow in the UK at the Red Bull Harbour Reach at Liverpool’s Albert Dock, a tournament that attracts some of the best wakeboarders in the world.

The English waters will no doubt be colder than he’s used to in Abu Dhabi, but that won’t stop the American University of Sharjah student from giving it his best shot, even though his preparation has been more difficult than usual. “It was hard for me to train during Ramadan. Due to the training changes, I was only able to ride at night after breaking my fast, so I had limited time to train. And when I did train, it was at night, so it was hard for me,” Saeed explains.

But passion and dedication to the sport motivate Saeed and so he is thrilled to be on Red Bull’s books.

“Being a Red Bull athlete is a huge thing for me. It was when I realised that my goals are possible and it also motivates me to train harder and get better, because there is a high standard to uphold while wearing the Red Bull helmet.”

Although Saeed competes regularly at international levels – placing in the top four at the Wake Park World Championships’ pro-men division in Abu Dhabi in 2014 and being named junior world champion in 2012 – he is a relative newcomer to the sport, having only started five years ago.

“One day after school, my friends all decided to go to this new sports resort in the UAE called Al Forsan. I decided to tag along and that was when I first got a taste of wakeboarding,” Saeed says.

“The reason I fell in love with the sport was because when you are on the water, all your worries and problems go away.”

Juggling a demanding training regime with studying finance also has its challenges, but the teenager has his priorities in check.

“I try to finish all my schoolwork during the week so I can have the weekends to go wakeboarding and have fun with my friends. Usually, if I am not on the water, I would either be studying or out with my friends.” And he has his eye firmly set on a goal.

“After finishing university, I would love to travel the world over with my friends and wakeboard full time.”

What is your favourite song?

Whatever is at the top of the charts.

Who inspires you?

There are many riders who inspire me. However, my dad inspired me the most because he motivated me to pursue my dreams to become a professional wakeboarder.

Do you have a favourite quote?

A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new – Albert Einstein.

What is your favourite destination for travel?

The Maldives.

What is your favourite restaurant?

Nandos.

Ace Ventura 1 and 2.

How would you describe yourself?

Friendly, determined, competitive – an all-around good guy.

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

To fly, but mind-reading would be a close second. That would come in handy during exams.

What is your favourite food?

Italian.

What extreme sports would you like to try?

Motocross.