THE Andrew Simpson Sailing Centre (ASSC) is preparing to open its doors to the public in celebration of their third birthday.

The free taster session, which is arranged for Saturday May 13, invites members of the public to experience the thrill of sailing throughout the day at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy.

On the agenda again this year is the cardboard boat race, which sees teams race from the slipway aboard weird and wonderful homemade craft.

For those who don’t fancy getting wet you can enjoy a bite to eat from the Terrace BBQ, or simply get a close-up look at the impressive fleet of brand new boats from the Topper dinghy range.

Since opening in 2014, the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation (ASSF) continues to go from strength to strength. The friendly, knowledgeable staff deliver a full range of RYA training courses and activities, including the “Sail for a Fiver” scheme which has enabled over a thousand local school children to enjoy affordable sailing sessions with their class mates and teachers.

The Andrew Simpson Foundation CEO Richard Percy says: “Our aim is to improve the lives of young people.

“Going sailing builds friendships and develops core life skills such as communication, teamwork, confidence and determination.

“Those skills enhance other areas of their lives including education and future careers. Everything we do is driven by our belief that all young people have the ability to succeed.”

For more information about the Open Day, visit www.andrewsimpsonsailing.co.uk.