THE borough’s Olympians have been training hard on the waters of Perth, Australia, despite reports of recent shark attacks.

Skandia Team GBR’s performance squad has been out in Fremantle for the past week getting ready for the Perth International Regatta.

The regatta, which is the test event for the 2011 World Championship, will start on Tuesday and end on November 21.

Weymouth’s European Laser dinghy champion Paul Goodison and RS:X world champion windsurfer Nick Dempsey are among the borough’s stars who will be competing.

They were undaunted by the recent shark attack on a woman south of Perth last month and went exploring.

Goodison, of Wyke Regis, said: “After all the talk of sharks Nick and I went on a little adventure on the first day to an island about six miles offshore. No sight of sharks though but a good five hours on the water and a bit too much sun.”

He added: “It’s been a week now in Perth and sleep patterns are starting to settle down.

“Most of the performance squad have arrived and there is a nice atmosphere amongst the camp, some of the sailors are sporting some comedy facial hair for Movember – a moustache growing charity event held during November.

“Core and stretching by the pool was quite amusing on Wednesday morning, rolling around on the decking and trying to reach places most of us struggle with.

“The sailing has been good not the classic Fremantle doctor as promised – Perth and Fremantle are known for the local wind called the Doctor – but a nice breeze and sailing in lycra is always pleasant after numb fingers and toes at home.”

Former Weymouth schoolgirl and Beijing bronze medallist windsurfer Bryony Shaw described the recent shark sightings and attack as “pretty scary”.

Portland Finn sailor Giles Scott is also taking part and said he was looking forward to taking on his rival for 2012 selection Ben Ainslie at the heavyweight dinghy class.

Follow the team’s progress online at rya.org.uk/supportcrew