Windsurfing hotspot

Weymouth and Portland is one of the UK's windsurfing hotspots - for a number of good reasons. Within a few miles there is something for everyone.

Celebrations as Nick Dempsey becomes a World Champion windsurfer

By Ferrybridge, at Portland Harbour, complete beginners can find shallow water just right for starting out.

By contrast, at the eastern end of Weymouth Bay, Overcombe offers waves as well as wind for those confident enough to avoid the rock reef exposed at some states of tide.

When the wind and waves are just right, Overcombe attracts experts from all over southern England - as does Kimmeridge, just up the coast.

And when the wind really gets up from the south-west the focus can be on Portland Harbour for another reason: the shelter offered by the Chesil bank means there can be flat water in the harbour even in the teeth of a south-westerly gale - making for one of the world's best-known 'speed sailing' tracks.

World Champion windsurfer Nick Dempsey and his wife gold medal winner Sarah

The area plays host to annual events such as the Four Nations Windsurfing Championships and the Volvo RYA Windsurfing Youth & Masters National Championships - and of course Weymouth Speed Week in the autumn.

USEFUL CONTACTS

Second Wind - Windsurf and Watersports

Overcombe Beach, Preston Road, Weymouth, Dorset.

Tel: 01305 835301. Website: www.second-wind.co.uk

(Situated close to launching facility). Tuition available, suppliers of watersports clothing and equipment including: kites and boards, windsurf boards and sails, surf boards, wetsuits etc. Kite lessons can be arranged.

Windtek Watersports

109 Portland Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 9BG

Tel: 01305 787900. Website: www.windtek.co.uk

Suppliers of watersports clothing, windsurf boards, surf boards, wet suits, water skis etc. Windsurfing tuition available during the summer season.

GETTING STARTED

Windtek runs a windsurfing school from the Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy. Call Windtek on 01305 787900.

Paracademy on Portland offers kitesurfing taster sessions and lessons. Call Paracademy at Ferrybridge on 824797; www.paracademy.co.uk