Budding sailors push the boat out on Portland for Sport Relief (From Thisisdorset)

Budding sailors push the boat out on Portland for Sport Relief

1:00pm Monday 15th March 2010 in

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YOUNGSTERS ran, swam and sailed in a race to raise money for Sport Relief in Portland harbour.

The SailLaser Sailing school at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy hosted more than 30 budding sailors for their ‘tri-mile’ fundraiser.

The group of seven to 15-year-olds set off in pairs on a one-mile run from the sailing academy before diving into the cold harbour water at the Blue Water Horizons slipway.

They swam out to their moored Pico dinghies before rigging them up and sailing round a course to land and run through the finish line.

Toby Dent, from Weymouth, and Tom Rowell, from Frampton, were the first to finish the three-mile course, in 47 minutes.

Matt Bridge, the SailLaser centre manager, said the race will raise more than £1,300.

He said: “It was well received although it was a bit of a struggle kick-starting people with these cold northerly winds and letting people know that sailing is back on.

“The uptake of volunteers helping was fantastic too.”

The children racing were from various young sailing groups in the area.

Tom Wells and Emma Stevenson were the second pair to make it over the line.

They have enjoyed watersports since getting started through the Will Mackaness trust at the Wey Valley School and Sports College.

Tom, 13, said of the tri-mile race: “It was quite tiring with the running but it was just really fun.

“When we got into the water it was a bit cold but we were warm from the run.”

Emma, 12, added: “It was amazing being in the race.

“At the end of the run we just jumped straight in.”

Emma’s mother, Caroline Stevenson, of Osmington Mills, said it was great to see the young people out.

She said: “They worked really hard because it was a long run in a wetsuit.

“They’ve all done really well and it was for a very good cause.

“It’s good to see them out being active as you hear so much about ‘couch potatoes’.”

Royal Manor Arts College pupil Adam Greaves, 13, has thrown himself into sailing since taking part in the ‘sail for a fiver’ scheme to introduce more children to the sport.

He was delighted with the race.

Adam said: “It was really good fun.

“When we were running we were all talking and egging each other on.

“Swimming was harder with the tide pushing against us.

“I think we came about fifth or six but I did fall out of the boat.”

Maria Smeaton, from Tincleton, watched her 12-year-old daughter Eleanor race.

She said: “She’s been very excited and nervous.

“It’s an experience of something they want to support and something they believe in.

“She got into it through St Mary’s Middle School at Puddletown and has been sailing for two years.”

Lydia Higson, 32, from Owermoigne, watched her son Bradley, 12, partner Eleanor in the race.

Mrs Higson said: “He said he wanted to finish to prove to himself that he can do it and he’s proud to be raising money for a good cause.”

Rhonda Makin, 42, from Camp Road, Wyke Regis, added: “I was really pleased to see my daughter Brooke doing it and it’s brilliant that she’s good at it. She really enjoys it.”