WEYMOUTH Sailing Club is delighted to be awarded Royal Yachting Association (RYA) training centre status.

Commodore Euan McNair said of the award: “I am immensely proud that Weymouth Sailing Club can now offer RYA accredited training courses to members. Our club is a non-profit organisation open to all and run on a volunteer basis by members, for members.

“We can offer a range of RYA practical courses including beginners, start to race and sailing. We also run RYA Power Boat and VHF courses through our partner organisation, Weymouth Sailing School.

“Additionally, there are many RYA shore-based theory courses available in our bespoke classroom facility. The club has a number of training dinghies which are free for members to use.

“You don’t need to have previous sailing experience or to be a boat owner to get involved in the sport at Weymouth Sailing Club.

“We have a very active youth section and there are no age barriers. We have members participating from age nine to 90 years old making sailing truly a sport for life.”

The club will be hosting its annual open day on Saturday, May 21, when everyone will be welcome to visit and view the facilities. There will be boats on display and an opportunity to try sailing with one of the club’s instructors.

Discounted membership rates, (no joining fee and 50 per cent off from the normal annual rate for the remainder of the membership year) will be available to those who decide to join within a week of the open day.

n In addition, the club will be hosting six opening evenings on Friday nights during the summer.

These will take place on the June 3 and 17, July 22 and 29 and August 5 and 12. Everyone is welcome to visit the club from 6pm onwards.For more information about the club, visit wsc.org.uk