Chief Instructor at SailLaser and organisor of 'Sail for £5' Emma Dawson, awarding Danielle Cormack her prize of a Dorset Echo trophy.

HUNDREDS of children from across Dorset are learning to sail in Portland Harbour this week for just £5.

The week-long event, aims to get 500 youngsters out on the borough's Olympic waters.

The community sailing initiative run by SailLaser sailing school and funded by the Chesil Trust charity is now in its third term.

The children, aged 10-11, are all pupils from 10 local schools who are taking advantage of the opportunity, including Westfield Technology College that cares for disabled children.

Centre manager for Sail Laser, Matt Bridge, said: "We're aiming for 10 slots of 50 local children to get 500 over the week.

"We will also select one child from each group to win a trophy supplied by the Dorset Echo.

"This child will also be given the opportunity to gain their stage 1 and 2 certificates over two weekends for just £30 - a fraction of the normal price - as a sort scholarship scheme.

"This will then allow them to continue sailing with us throughout the summer for just £5 per week through our OnBoard club, an option open to any local children with a stage 1 certificate."

He added: "Again the scholarship scheme as with the event itself is all being made possible by the fantastic work of the Chesil Trust."

First winner of the Dorset Echo trophy was Danielle Cormack of Southwell Primary School, Portland who showed most promise out of her group.

She was awarded her prize by chief Instructor at Sail Laser and organisor of 'Sail for £5' Emma Dawson, who said: "The session started with strong winds, and after a rain and hail shower, dropped to gentle winds, with bright sunshine and was nice and warm!

"All in all a very good session was had by all.

"There were 46 children, in 23 boats, all of whom had a go at helming and crewing."

Due to the high demand for this program, a second Sail for £5' week has been organised, starting on June 9, and is already filling up fast.

Anyone wishing to find out more can contact SailLaser on 0845 3373214.

You can see all the winners from Sail for a Fiver 2008 in our photogallery.

4:44pm Tuesday 15th April 2008

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