INVESTMENT in encouraging young people to try watersports and continue to improve their performance has been high again this year.

The Will Mackaness Trust was set up in memory of Will Mackaness, a head boy at Wey Valley School who loved watersports but tragically died young.

His mother, Pam Govier, runs the trust and supports the activities, both in person and with funding.

Particular highlights this year have been an increased number of young people from several local schools taking up windsurfing.

They have participated in training and development at the Official Test Centre, which is based at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA).

A group of the windsurfers who benefited from the support of the trust went on to raise more than £1,000 by windsurfing along the coast from the sailing academy.

Funding for young people to undertake sailing qualifications and attend race club sessions at the Andrew Simpson Sailing Centre has also been a highlight of 2014.

Many of the youngsters who were funded took part in the Dorset Schools Sailing Championships, which were held at Rockley Park, Poole.

Everyone put in good performances and All Saints School achieved third place.

Opportunities for young people to try gig rowing for the first time were also provided as were swimming lessons to help individuals prior to learning watersports.

There were many fundraising activities which took place during the last 12 months as well.

Govier said: “I am delighted that the local community supported the trust so well with fundraising activities, and it was very rewarding to see young people participating in watersports.”