PORTLAND teenager Adam Greaves has been reaping the rewards of his good work in the community.

The aspiring Laser sailor, who dreams of competing in the Olympics, has been out Sailing in the Skud-18 Paralympic keelboat class while volunteering at this week’s International Federation of Disabled <&bh"http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/search/?search=Sailing">Sailing<&eh> (IFDS) World Championship event.

He is also celebrating renewed sponsorship from O’Three wetsuit manufacturer for the third year running.

The 14-year-old Royal Manor Arts College pupil arrived at the IFDS event last weekend not really knowing what to expect as his usual job of safety cover on the water was not needed.

He said: “It turned out that I had a fantastic, varied weekend learning new skills and meeting new people.”

Greaves helped the Dutch team to prepare the lead for the keel of their boat, made the hanger ready for the opening ceremony and then they all ate fish and chips.

On Sunday, the first day of racing at the event, Greaves helped the Paralympic hopefuls prepare their boats.

He showed an interest in a brand new Skud-18 two-person keelboat from Australia and was delighted to be invited out for a sail that afternoon when his volunteering duties were completed.

Greaves had a great time helming the Skud and playing with the controls in the cockpit but the icing on the cake was when he saw Britain’s Skud sailors Niki Birrell and Alex Rickham claim first place in their race.

He said: “It was a real privilege to see it, what an exciting end to a great weekend.”

O’Three had been sponsoring Greaves since July 2009 when he met the founder Sean Webb at Charborough Park after giving a speech to local businessmen about his Sail for £5 experience.

Greaves thanked Webb for his continued support and said he was looking forward to getting out on the water to try it out.

The Southwell youngster, who recently claimed a silver medal at the Dorset Schools Sailing Regatta, has added another string to his bow by completing his RYA Windsurfing Level One qualific-ation thanks to funding from the Will Mackaness Trust, in con-junction with the Official Test Centre.

He added: “I had great fun on the course along with fellow students at Royal Manor Arts College and am grateful to the Trust for helping me to achieve my first qualification in this sport.”