A MAJOR new watersports festival is coming to Weymouth.

Weymouth Water Fest, a new addition to the town’s events line-up, will take place on Sunday, September 22, from 11am to 2pm at Weymouth Beach. 

The free event is aimed at Weymouth residents – both adults and children – who want to increase their confidence in a range of water sports including sea swimming, kayaking, and paddle boarding.

There will also be yoga on the beach and Revive Wild Sauna will be offering sauna tasters. 

There will also be stalls with the chance to talk to some of the sea swim groups in Weymouth, and some activity sessions with Weymouth Outdoor Education Centre (some pre-booked and others that can be booked on the day), and Adventure 4 All.

More details on how to book the sessions are coming soon. 

The event is different from Waterfest Weymouth, a maritime festival that was held in Weymouth for three years between 2014 and 2016.

The festival did not return in 2017 and has not been held since.

The new Weymouth Water Fest is not a revival of the maritime festival.

Musical entertainment will also be provided by Dorset Wrecks, Wey Bay Rockers and Weymouth Ukuleleans.   

Mayor of Weymouth, Cllr Jon Orrell said: “This event has been put together by different groups with funding from Weymouth Town Council to encourage people who live in the town to become more confident in the water.

“We’re so lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the Jurassic coast, so whether you want to start or improve your sea swimming, learn to kayak or find out the secret to staying upright on a paddle board, Weymouth Water Fest is for you.” 

This event is a partnership between Weymouth Town Council and Adventure4All, Revive Wild Sauna, Weymouth Outdoor Education Centre, sea swim groups including Bluetits, Beach Babes, Groyne Boobies an Bouncers, along with Everyone Active, Surf Life Saving Club, and the RNLI.  

It will be held in an area of the beach near the sand sculpture dome and the snail ride.

All other sections of the beach will be accessible as normal.