Maru Urban is a world-class sailor and coach with over 35 years of experience on the water. A native of Salvador, Brazil, he began sailing at age 9 and quickly rose through the ranks, winning the Brazilian Nationals in the Optimist class in 1993 and placing seventh at the World Championships that same year.

As a competitor in the Snipe class, Maru achieved a second-place finish at the 2013 World Championships and has consistently performed at the highest levels of international racing. His expertise led him to serve as a coach and advisor to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic sailing teams ahead of the 2016 Rio Games, where his intimate knowledge of the venue helped the Americans earn bronze and silver medals.

Maru has built a reputation as an elite coach, developing young sailors who have gone on to compete at Ivy League programs and on the international stage. He has served as head sailing coach at the San Diego Yacht Club, launched one of the top youth Laser programs in the country at the Key Biscayne Yacht Club, and currently works as an expert sailor for North Sails.

Now based in Geneva, Wisconsin, Maru continues to train high-performance athletes while promoting sailing as a sport that builds character and connects people with the ocean. He is setting his sights on helping sailors reach the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.