Ferran Muniesa sets course for World Sailing after nearly three decades at Club Nàutic s’Arenal

Some people’s professional careers become part of an institution’s history. Such is the case of Ferran Muniesa, who is bringing to a close a period of almost thirty years linked to Club Nàutic s’Arenal to take on a new international challenge as Events Director of World Sailing, the International Sailing Federation.

Ferran recently visited the studios of Passion for the Sea to reflect on his journey within an organization he joined as a young boy and where he has held a wide range of responsibilities, including sailor, Sports Director, and General Manager, helping transform one of the most important yacht clubs in the Balearic Islands.

“My life has been connected to the club since I was very young. A lot of emotions come up now as the day of departure gets closer,” he admitted, speaking about a decision that he said he had been considering for several months.

From Optimist student to Club Manager

Ferran Muniesa’s story with Club Nàutic s’Arenal began when he was just seven years old. On that day, his father took him to the club to meet Rafael Llinàs, the legendary Mestre Rafel, with the aim of introducing him to sailing.

“I remember perfectly when my father took me to the club to see whether I could start sailing in the Optimist class,” he recalled. From that first day, he also remembers a phrase that stayed with him forever. “Sailing is not about whether the child wants to sail; it’s about whether the parents want the child to sail, because it involves a family commitment.” That was what Rafael Llinàs told his father.

From that moment on, the sea and the club became part of his everyday life. His family became fully integrated into the organization, and he grew up surrounded by training sessions, regattas, and summers spent at the club’s facilities. “My dream was to be able to help the club and guide it toward where I believed it could go. And the truth is, it has been a dream come true,” he said.

When asked how he would like to be remembered after so many years dedicated to Club Nàutic s’Arenal, Muniesa does not speak about facilities, competitions, or projects. “I would like to be remembered as a good person,” he replied, adding, “someone who always tried to move things forward, solve problems, and do things with kindness.”

The Transformation of Club Nàutic s’Arenal

Over the past decades, Ferran has witnessed first-hand the profound transformation of Club Nàutic s’Arenal. “I am very proud of the work that has been done. The club has become an organization that its members are proud of,” he said.

According to Muniesa, one of the major changes has been the evolution of yacht clubs from primarily social organizations into entities much more focused on sporting activity and services for members. “Clubs have evolved from being mainly social organizations to becoming true developers of sporting activity,” he explained.

Reflecting on the years of growth and transformation at Club Nàutic s’Arenal, Ferran highlighted the role of someone he considers one of the most influential figures in his professional career: Nano Barceló. “For me, there has been one particularly influential person at the club, and that has been Nano Barceló,” he said during the interview.

Muniesa explained that together with Barceló, the club’s boards of directors, and its staff, they began years ago to design the model of club they wanted to build for the future. “I have to say that we have achieved, and even exceeded, many of the goals we set ourselves at that time,” he noted.

This shared vision enabled a transformation that has allowed Club Nàutic s’Arenal to expand its services, professionalize its management, and strengthen its role as both a sporting and social benchmark within the Balearic nautical community. “It has been very rewarding to experience that entire process from within and to see how the club has managed to grow while always keeping its members at the center of everything,” he explained.

For Muniesa, one of the greatest achievements of recent years has been fostering a strong sense of belonging among members, based on two fundamental pillars: sport and service quality. “We wanted members to feel proud of the club and to have that sense of belonging. I believe we have achieved that.”

Under his management, Club Nàutic s’Arenal has also consolidated its position as one of the leading sailing institutions in the Balearic Islands, Spain, and internationally.

Muniesa particularly highlights the work carried out in three key areas: event organization, the sailing school, and the racing team. While he avoids personalizing sporting successes, he acknowledges that seeing the club become a recognized benchmark is one of the greatest satisfactions of his career. “What truly fills you with pride is when other organizations and people recognize Club Nàutic s’Arenal as a sporting reference,” he said.

His Legacy in the Princesa Sofía Trophy

One of the most significant projects in Ferran Muniesa’s career has been his involvement with the Princesa Sofía Trophy, now considered one of the most prestigious events in Olympic sailing worldwide. “I have felt deeply involved with the Sofia. It is something that has made me very happy throughout all these years,” he explained.

According to Muniesa, one of the main objectives was to strengthen the event’s international recognition and improve its positioning within the Balearic Islands. “We have succeeded in positioning the Princesa Sofía Trophy as the most respected event in Olympic sailing internationally,” he stated.

He also highlighted the support received from public institutions and Balearic companies that have helped strengthen the competition.

A New Challenge at World Sailing

After closing this chapter at Club Nàutic s’Arenal, Muniesa will begin a new professional adventure as Events Director at World Sailing. “It is a huge challenge, but also a project that I am incredibly excited about,” he said.

In his new role, he will be responsible for coordinating some of the most important events in world sailing, including World Championships, youth competitions, and Olympic qualification events.

Among his priorities, one stands out in particular: “I want to try to bring the federation closer to the athletes. There is a feeling of distance between those who are on the water and those who manage the sport, and I believe we need to reduce that gap.”