HUNDREDS of adults and youngsters, aged 14 and over, are being invited to sail for just £5 this month.

SailLaser Weymouth, the sailing school behind the hugely successful Sail for a Fiver Olympic legacy scheme, is opening its taster sessions up beyond school age people for the first time.

It has been made possible by £6,000-worth of funding from Active Dorset and The Chesil Trust charity.

Individuals, families, groups of friends and school parties with older pupils are invited to try sailing on the sheltered waters of Portland Harbour in dinghies, accompanied by qualified in-structors.

The first week of taster sessions will run every morning from Monday, October 14 to Friday, October 18, lasting from 10am to 12.30pm.

The second week of Sail for £5 activities will take place from October 21 to 25, with morning groups from 10am to 12.30pm or afternoon sessions from 2pm to 4.30pm.

SailLaser Weymouth centre manager Warren Surtees said the only criteria they had to stick to was that participants are aged 14 and over and urged the local community to take advantage of the opportunity.

He said: “We’re inviting everyone, aged 14 years old and up, to come and try sailing. There’s no upper age limit “Sail for £5 has been so successful for the younger groups that we have been awarded this sum of money by Active Dorset and the Chesil Trust to continue the Sail for £5 sessions this autumn for older people.

“It would be nice if we could get 600 new sailors over the two weeks, people can come individually or with families or groups of friends.

“If a school teacher wants to bring a group of students, aged 14 and over, and get involved, that would be fantastic.

“It’s a very cheap opportunity to get out on the water and try sailing. If the sessions prove popular, SailLaser Weymouth may extend the initiative into November.

For those who enjoy the sessions and wish to continue with the sport, there are opportunities to progress on to SailLaser’s adult club on Tuesday evenings.

Surtees added: “Following the recent success of the America’s Cup, the profile of sailing is going up and up and up.

“Here’s your opportunity to get involved.”

SailLaser Weymouth is based at Osprey Quay, Portland, within the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.

All equipment will be provided.

To book a place, telephone 08453373214 or email info-wey mouth@sail-laser.com