BUDDING sailors were able to share the waters with Olympic contenders when they experienced the sport for just £5.

Pupils were delighted to see the Skandia Team GBR sailors out training at the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Sailing venue as they enjoyed their first taste of the sport.

The Year 5 youngsters from Wareham Middle School were the second batch to take part in this year’s Sail for a Fiver sessions at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, following pupils from St George’s Primary School on Portland.

The Olympic legacy scheme run by SailLaser and funded by The Chesil Trust charity is now in its fifth year.

Wareham teacher Sally Williams said: “Quite a few of the top sailors were out there on the water.

“The kids really loved it, all of them went in, which is brilliant, and they didn’t want to come out either.

“It was definitely inspiring to see the Olympians training, especially as we’re so close to the coast.

“It’s nice to get involved and for the pupils to know something that exciting is happening on their doorstep.”

The hardest working pupils in each session were awarded scholarships by SailLaser and The Chesil Trust to return and complete a full sailing course at a heavily subsidised price.

These included Portland pupils Elvie Pornell, Jessie Steirn and Jarred Van Der Westhuizen and Wareham pupils Emily Watt, Callum Dando and Gabriel Unt who were also presented with Dorset Echo sponsored trophies.

Emma Dawson, chief instructor and community sports coach for SailLaser Weymouth, said: “The weather was absolutely spot on for Wareham Middle School this week, beautifully bright with gentle winds.

“St George’s came down last Thursday and Friday, it was a bit windier so they had it a bit tougher but it’s been a great start.

“Wareham pupils were welcomed by the SailLaser instructor team to a very busy boat park as Skandia Team GBR had arrived back from their latest regatta in Hyeres, France.

“The pupils learned how to rig the boats, steer and turn around ashore and then they took to the water for an afternoon sail.

“All the students sailed really well, and there were no capsizes.

“This was made even better for the students as they could see the GBR team training at the same time.”

Next week youngsters from St Mary’s Primary School, Bridport, Burton Bradstock Primary School and Underhill Junior School, Portland will be getting a taste of the sport.

There are still a few spaces for the 2011 Sail for £5 event, which is open to year 5 and 6 pupils.

Youngsters keen to take part should ask their school teacher to contact Emma at SailLaser on 0845 337 3214.

• OVER the past five years the Sail for £5 scheme has enabled thousands of children to experience sailing, hundreds have been awarded scholarships and hundreds more have been encouraged to take up the sport regularly. Once the children have their stage one sailing qualification, they are welcome to join SailLaser’s OnBoard sailing club, which is run specifically for children on Tuesday evenings.