THE NATURAL amphitheatre of Weymouth Bay and the sometimes more sheltered waters of Portland Harbour have given the area a long-standing reputation for the best sailing opportunities in northern Europe for leisure or competitive sailing.

The area is made for water sports and there must be something on the menu for everyone whatever age or ability.

For more than a quarter of a century the bay has attracted international sailing competitions. Not so long ago competitors in small dinghy racing used to launch from Weymouth beach or from Weymouth Harbour.

Nowadays most of the national and international sailing competitions are hosted by the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy.

If you are in a larger boat and have an experienced skipper in charge you can go round the corner and across Lyme Bay westwards to the rest of the fabulous Westcountry coastline or eastwards towards Lulworth Cove and beyond.

For visiting or local boats, yachts and dinghies there is mooring in Weymouth and Portland harbours.

Water sports enthusiasts of all kinds flock here from many different countries for diving, angling, kayaking, windsurfing, whitewater knuckle rides and kiteboarding and many more water-related activities.

Look on the events pages and you’re likely to find a sea swimming gala, dragon boat racing, the Weymouth sailing regatta and rowing fixtures. Weymouth Rowing Club has really taken off in its popularity. Members train in two Cornish pilot gigs.

The Dorset coast is also said to be the best in northern Europe with divers coming here from all over the world to visit the fascinating selection of wrecks and reefs. It is also a favourite venue for anglers with the area hosting several national competitions. Angling boats depart from Weymouth Harbour.

Swimming or scuba diving lessons usually take place in one of our swimming pools including Weymouth Swimming Pool and the Boscawen Centre on Portland. There are other indoor pools at Southwell Business Park, the Rembrandt Hotel on Dorchester Road, the Riviera Hotel at Bowleaze and the Portland Heights Hotel.

Making Weymouth and Portland the Olympic sailing venue for 2012 speaks for itself. But of course King George III discovered how special the waters were two centuries ago or so. From Weymouth beach itself you can take out a canoe, a rowing boat or a pedalo, which is great fun. But always beware of the winds and which way they’re blowing. If you’re new to going on the water, take the advice of the person renting out the boat to you. If your youngsters are out in a rubber dinghy or with a rubber ring, the same advice applies. Water accidents happen in a trice.

Kayaking is hugely popular in the area, including exploring the Jurassic coast with Second Wind at Overcombe (leaving from Lulworth Cove). Seeing Stair Hole Cove and Durdle Door close up and from the sea is a fantastic experience. Training is also available here as it is with the Weymouth Outdoor Activity Centre which also offers sailing and canoeing instruction for all ages. You can learn to sail and windsurf at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy and there are several excellent windsurf and kitesurf centres along the Portland Beach Road too.

Another good way to learn to sail may be with one of the sailing clubs such as Weymouth on Nothe Parade or Castle Cove just beyond Sansfoot Castle beach. Even total beginners can be welcome because skippers are always looking for willing crew members.

Other sailing clubs in the area include the Royal Dorset Yacht Club on Custom House Quay and the Weymouth Cruising Club, which also has its headquarters here as do the Harbourmaster and Coastguards.