PUPILS and teachers took to the 2012 Olympic waters for a fiver thanks to The Chesil Trust charity.

Youngsters who showed the most potential were awarded scholarships by the trust and SailLaser to progress their skills and the top performer from each group also received a Dorset Echo-sponsored trophy.

Dorset Echo editor Toby Granville presented a trophy to Brian Robertshaw of St Mary’s Primary School, Bridport on the same day that the biggest names in Olympic Sailing gathered at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy for a media day ahead of Sail for Gold.

Brian, 10, of Shipton Gorge, said: “I was quite good at sailing so I won the trophy, it was fun – better than being in the classroom.”

Mr Granville said: “We’re proud to support such a good scheme that enables Dorset primary school children to share the 2012 waters with Olympians and to be inspired.

“We hope Sail for £5 will be the starting point for future sailing stars.”

Year Five teacher Suki Day also experienced a taste of the sport for the first time.

She said: “It was fantastically good fun.

“We had a few tears just before coming out from one or two pupils but we said ‘Come on it’ll be fun’ and they loved it.”

Other scholarship winners from sessions this week included Soll Steel, Amber Holt and Todd O’Rourke of Burton Bradstock and Underhill Junior School’s Callum Hume and Shannon Hepburn.

To find out more about Sail for £5, contact Emma at SailLaser on 08453 373214.