23-year-old Emirati smashes two wakeboarding records

Omeir Saeed Almheiri is a self-proclaimed wakeboarding junkie, and now a two-time Guinness World Records title holder.

His first record is for the longest ramp jump on a wakeboard after he achieved an impressive 21m (68.89 ft) jump, smashing the previous record that stood at 15 meters by Jérôme Macquart (France) in 2004.

The 23-year-old Emirati from Abu Dhabi also smashed another record on the same day for most wakeboard rail airs in 30 seconds, achieving ten in total. 

He doubled the previous record which was also set by Jerome MacQuart (France) in 2005.

"I joined a friend for a visit to a cable park, and I was hooked; my life has changed since then. I knew it was just my first time, but would definitely not be my last," Almheiri said.

His skills, passion and dedication have created one powerful threat for the competition. 

He began by learning tricks from watching videos but has been refining his technical transfers and tricks with tips from friends. 

Omeir has known about wakeboarding almost as long as he can remember. 

He has been the unbeaten champion of the UAE Open Men’s National between 2012 and 2020. 

He started his career by being recognised as the world champion in 2012 during the WWA Junior Men Wake Park, and secured another world championship in 2014 in the WWA Wake Park as the World Champion in the Open Wake Skate division.

The WWA Wake Park World Championship in 2014 saw him come fourth, but his focus that year secured him a first place in the WWA Wake Park World Champion in the Open Wake Skate division.

A fourth place in 2015 Wake Park World Series Pro Men’s Traditional, and fifth place in the USA National Championship 2015 Pro Men’s Traditional was also added to his long list of achievements.

The flexible gymnast took on his record attempt at a challenging time and was forced to change plans on several occasions.

"I was planning to do other attempts but COVID changed the whole scenario. I wanted to be part of Guinness World Records Day by any means possible, so I changed my plans and made myself ready just in time for the big day."

"If there is one thing that I learned from this experience, it is that we hold a big responsibility to inspire the younger generation, to transfer the message and share the passion. 

"Having this global recognition in hand makes me proud as an Emirati, as this is certainly the jewel in the crown of so many years of achievement and success," said Almheiri.