5 minute read
Omeir Saeed - Passion, Dedication and Success
from XMotion Issue 4
by tpg media
I N T E R V I E W
Omeir Saeed - Passion, Dedication and Success
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All photos: NAIM CHIDIAC & WAYNE GRAY
One name synonymous with wakeboarding in the UAE, is Emirati sensation, Omeir Saeed. Consistently on the top step of the podium in the National Series, Saeed’s natural talent, passion and relentless dedication to succeed is what keeps him a step ahead of the competition.
Omeir made waves on the international stage when he was crowned ‘Amateur Champion’ at the 2012 WWA Junior Men World Championship, just one year after he first got on a board.
XMOTION: Firstly, congratulations on another impressive season, claiming your third National title in a row.
Omeir Saeed: Thank you and thank you guys for chatting with me. It felt great to start the season well and carry on to win the nationals again, in both boat and cable. What makes me even happier is that my little brother, Ahmed, also won nationals consecutively in both disciplines as well.
XM: You’re more known for riding cable parks, but you also defended your title in the Boat series. Is it a lot tougher behind a boat? What are some of the differences in technique required for cable and boat?
OS: Riding behind a boat is a lot different than riding in the cable especially because I don’t usually ride boat. It is harder to ride behind the boat but since I have a good background in cable wakeboarding, it is much easier for me to learn the tricks behind the boat, simply because I am already familiar with the tricks and rotations. Behind the boat, we don’t have a kicker to jump off so we need to use the wake that is made by the boat. Moreover, the rope is not connected as high as it would be on the cable and on top of that, the rider really depends on the driver of the boat to keep it steady so that the tricks can be performed properly, unlike the cable where it is consistent. With boat riding, you also have to take the water conditions into consideration because if it is too choppy, it is harder and more dangerous to perform tricks.
- Omeir Saeed
XM: Your little brother, Ahmed, is following your footsteps and also just won the Junior National titles back to back. You must be really proud of him.
OS: It makes me the proudest brother in the world to watch my little brother learn to wakeboard and develop over the years and be able to secure podium finishes consecutively. It fills my heart with joy hearing his name being called out during the award ceremony and seeing him stand on the podium.
XM: It must be really nice to be able to pass on all your knowledge to him at such a young age. A real star to look out for in the future.
OS: Since all my friends travelled abroad to study, I never had anyone else to ride with other than my little brother so we would go and ride at the cable park every weekend supporting and motivating each other to learn new tricks and push ourselves to the limit. He reminded me why I fell in love with the sport in the first place - to go out there and just have fun. Wakeboarding has taken me on many journeys around the world and is a big part of my life. Seeing Ahmed’s love and dedication to the sport tells me that he will have a future in this sport and nothing would make me happier than to see him pass me and take the sport to levels I couldn’t reach.
XM: You have done a fair amount of travelling, what is your favourite destination for wakeboarding?
OS: The best place I have been to so far is Thailand. I went there with a good group of people and they have three cable parks next to each other so everyday we got to go to a new place.
XM: You spend a lot of time at the Al Forsan Resort? A world-class facility. Do you feel that it’s helping to progress the sport in the region?
OS: We are lucky to have a facility like Al Forsan as we not only have one cable but we have two. One clockwise and one anti-clockwise so it helps the riders progress much faster.
XM: You have great sponsors. Red Bull and most recently Liquid Force. It must be really satisfying that all the hard work pays off?
OS: It feels good knowing that all the hard work paid off in the end. I am lucky to have sponsors that support me and guide me to be the best I can.
XM: You’ve made quite a name for yourself in only a short period of time. You only started wakeboarding in 2011, how did you get into it and what are the reasons you love it so much?
OS: I fell in love with wakeboarding from the first day I tried it. When the board fist touches the water, it’s a way for me to clear my mind and forget about all my worries. It’s a place where me and my friends can challenge ourselves and push ourselves and at the same time just hang out and have fun.
- Omeir Saeed
XM: You are studying at the American University, how do you balance your studies with training?
OS: I tend to spend my weekdays studying and on my weekend, I can dedicate all my time doing what I love, Wakeboarding!
XM: Any travel plans over the summer?
OS: I don’t have any plans for the summer at the moment. I will be in the UAE for the first part of the summer. But after that, who knows where my board will take me.
XM: You have a huge amount of tricks, which is your favourite?
OS: Some times the most basic tricks are the most fun. I just like going big, grabbing my board and making simple tricks look good.
XM: Do you prefer big air tricks or more technical rail tricks?
OS: I enjoy all aspects of the sport; I tend to progress my air tricks and rail tricks equally.
XM: Other than wakeboarding do you spend any time doing other sports?
OS: On Thursdays, after the cable park I like to play football.
XM: Anybody that you look up to and inspires you?
OS: Ahmed Nasser Al Zaabi and Hazza Saeed Al Ghafli. Both of them motivate me and guide me when it comes to learning new tricks.
Omeir Saeed and his brother, Ahmed.
XM: Any hidden talents people may not know about you? OS: (Laughs) Not really! I’ll stick to wakeboarding.
XM: What is the worst part of wakeboarding? OS: When the cable breaks and we can’t wakeboard!
XM: What motivates you? OS: My family, sponsors and friends - all motivate me to be the best I can. Moreover, the sport is progressing at a very high pace and that motivates me to progress my riding with it.
Instagram: omeir_saeed
Facebook: @Omeir.Saeed.UAE
