A WINDSURFING group will try and beat a Portland-set record while raising money for a watersports charity in memory of a teenager.

Will's Weymouth Warriors, a youth windsurfing club named after Will Mackaness, will try and break the record for the total distance covered in Portland Harbour in one day.

The current record is held by Pete Young and is set at 264.448km. The challenge is to beat this distance and will be recorded using a GPS device, which will be passed amongst the team of challengers in a relay.

The challenge will be part of a two-day charity event on September 7-8, organised by the Official Test Centre on Portland, which will help raise money for the Will Mackaness Trust.

Will, 16, from Weymouth, lost his fight for life against a brain tumour in 2008. One of Will’s passions was watersports, especially windsurfing, so the Will Mackaness Trust was set up to give more watersport opportunities to the youngsters of Weymouth and Portland.

Finn O’Gorman, one of the windsurfing challengers, said: “To beat the record, would be amazing. I’m looking forward to it, it will be so much fun.

"I would say to any young person that wanted to come down and try windsurfing at the open weekend, just do it. Windsurfing has meant I have developed new skills and made new friends.”

The date of the challenge is also an opportunity for those that have already benefitted from the charity, and are now regular windsurfers, to give something back by sponsoring Will's Weymouth Warriors to set a new record.

The OTC will also be offering taster sessions throughout the weekend for those new to windsurfing and stand-up-paddling, in exchange for a charitable donation. To book onto these sessions (which will run from 10am to 4pm both days), get in touch with the centre, or visit the OTC website to book online.

Tris Best, OTC Director, said: “The Trust do so much for the local youths, so this is an opportunity for those that have benefitted from the charity’s support to give something back.

"The challenge is not an easy one, but I think there’s some real talent in the emerging local young-guns, so I think they’ll be able to do it – let’s just hope for some wind on the day."