A WINDSURFING centre is urging people to dust off their old kit and share the world-class waters of Portland Harbour with Olympic contenders.

The Official Test Centre (OTC) is holding a ‘bring your old kit open day’ tomorrow to coincide with the official Spectator Day of the Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta.

This year’s regatta has brought the world’s best Sailing talent to the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA), with 1,050 sailors and 740 boats from 62 nations competing for glory at the 2012 venue, which will host the Olympic and Paralympic sailing events next year.

The OTC open day will begin at 10am and Dorset residents are urged to ‘drag out the flouro’ and get involved with the just-for-fun retro regatta as they support the event’s competitors.

Managing director Tris Best said: “We know there are loads of you out there with your old Mega Jags, F2 Sputniks or prized Screamers, well, here is your chance to dust it off and bring it down to reacquaint it – and yourself – with the clean salt water of the harbour.

“There will be a series of light-hearted comedy races, a bring-your-own barbecue and most definitely a prize for the person who manages to find the most outrageous wetsuit to wear.

“It will also provide a great chance to pit the old kit against the new. It might throw up some interesting results.”

Andrew Chandler of Weymouth Windsurfing Association, who is backing local Olympians Nick Dempsey and Bryony Shaw at this week’s regatta, said: “This is a great opportunity to get Weymouth’s ‘retired’ windsurfers back on the water.

“The day also gives the opportunity to rub shoulders with the world’s sailing elite.

“Saturday is Medal Race day for Sail for Gold and the WPNSA will be running a spectator RIB with the aim of taking young locals out on to the water to get up close to the action.”

To contact the OTC call 0121 288 9965 or visit otc-windsurf.com Register for free spectator day tickets at skandiasailforgoldregatta.co.uk