WEYMOUTH Sailing Club enjoys welcoming visiting sailors, with the past few weeks being no exception.

They have organised and hosted two national championships, acted as race centre for a national sailing organisation, raised funds for the RNLI and welcomed other water-based charities.

In July, the cove area of Weymouth’s old harbour was crammed with 28-foot Impala yachts and the 19-foot VX-One boats.

Crews came from afar as Pwllheli in North Wales, Ullswater in Cumbria, Largs in Scotland and Tynemouth from the North East of England.

The Impalas sail with a crew of five whilst the VX-Ones sail with three.

There were 15 Impalas and 13 VX-Ones raced in Weymouth Bay over three days in all weather conditions.

The eventual winner for the Impalas was Checkmate from South Caernarfon Yacht Club, whilst Robber’s Dog from the Lake District dominated the VX Ones.

Meanwhile, last weekend the club welcomed the Junior Offshore Group. This organisation organises offshore races for teams with a smaller budget. There were 30 boats that competed in the Cowes-Weymouth race and WSC’s Nothe Parade HQ was used as race control.

On Sunday, Viking Three, WSC’s committee boat, led nearly 30 club boats up the river as part of the RNLI 150-year anniversary parade of sail.

Back in the clubhouse, tea and homemade cakes had been prepared for the lifeboat crews, visiting sailors and rowers.

A sum of £187 was raised for lifesavers and members had the chance to chat with the skippers and crew of visiting boats that included MV Freedom and HMS Pickle.

Commodore, Steve Dadd, said: “I am immensely proud of the club’s volunteer members who give up their time to ensure that national events can be put on, whilst also finding time to raise funds for local charities.”

He added: “Putting on these events is not only good for Weymouth Sailing Club, as championship sailors bring knowledge into the club, but for the town also.

“Boats need berths in the harbour whilst crews, their families and supporters need feeding and watering.

“This puts money into the local economy. Everybody wins.”