MORE youngsters have been given a chance to sail thanks to ABP Southampton Sailing Academy as it welcomed three local schools to Southampton Water Activities Centre (SWAC) this week.

Winchester-based Itchen Abbas Primary School and The Pilgrims’ School joined Southampton’s King Edward VI School at the centre, where they were given a briefing, donned their life jackets and got out on to the water to gain more confidence and learn new skills.

Jon Kirby, SWAC programme manager, said: “We loved welcoming pupils from the local schools yesterday, it’s a pleasure to see the difference in confidence in the children before and after they’ve taken part. Seeing such valuable life skills being developed is great.”

The ABP Southampton Sailing Academy was founded in 2014 thanks to a £10,000 investment from the Port of Southampton. It aims to give young people, many of which are first timers, more confidence and teach new skills on the water.

Clive Thomas, port manager, said: "We are incredibly lucky to have some of the best waters for sailing right on our doorstep but sadly, for many local young people, the chance to get out on the Solent and try sailing is out of reach.

“We are delighted to be able to offer young people from Southampton the chance to experience the sport of sailing for themselves and give local talent a chance to thrive.”