Despite horrendous conditions, the first week of the 2009 ‘Sail for £5’ Legacy Programme run by The Chesil Trust in conjunction with the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) and SailLaser got underway yesterday.

One of the two schools did cancel, according to a spokesperson for the academy, but another group of Year 6 pupils were taken out in small groups by the instructors at Sail Laser.

Through funding from The Chesil Trust, a further 1,480 children will get a taste of water sports with an afternoon of sailing tuition for just £5. The sessions, which are available to Year 6 pupils attending Dorset state schools, will run throughout the week.

David Dunn, Chairman of the Trustees of The Chesil Trust, commented ‘This legacy programme founded by the late Chairman, Bill Ludlow, has proven to be very successful and we are delighted that the first week of the 2009 programme is already here. It is the aim of The Chesil Trust with the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, SailLaser and the Outdoor Education Centre to provide a legacy for Weymouth and Portland after 2012 and all the organisations involved in this year’s activities are assisting in providing a strong future for the local community’.