THE Spirit of the Sea festival enjoyed a perfect start, say organisers.

Thousands flocked to Weymouth and Portland throughout the weekend to experience a host of water sport taster sessions, beach entertainment, music, arts and dance.

Festival manager Roy Griffiths, who attended Saturday’s launch party on the steamship Shieldhall, said: “What an absolutely brilliant start. It was fantastic.

“The weather was perfect – last year we had a bit of bad luck with weather on the first weekend.

“A lot of the events are outdoors, so it can make a big difference.”

The nine-day festival, featuring 50 events, aims to celebrate the area’s rich maritime and cultural relationship with the sea.

Last year’s inaugural event attracted 35,000 extra visitors and boosted the local economy by more than £1.4 million. This year, organisers are aiming for 50,000 visitors.

Mr Griffiths said: “The launch party, which was for individual event organisers, went really well.

“The Rotary Club of Weymouth looked after us and we had a raffle, auction and bar to raise money for the SS Sheildhall.”

The ship, independently financed and run by volunteers, received a welcome £600 for its coffers.

Beach Live, which features free music over the entire nine days, kicked off on Saturday, at 2pm, with song and dance for people of all ages.

Mr Griffiths said: “Beach Live was really well attended and the Tudor picnic at Sandfoot Castle was the main event yesterday.

“There is an absolutely packed schedule of events – one of the big things this year is getting people out to enjoy the water sports.

“You can snorkel for a fiver, windsurf for a fiver – I may even have a go at the kite surfing, as it’s the only water sport I’ve never tried.

“The thing about this festival is there really is something for everyone. You can come along as an observer, take part in a small way, or have a real go.”

Beach Live, boasting more than 50 hours of entertainment, is based around a roadshow stage at the Pavilion end of Weymouth Beach.

Today, the bands due to play are from the Dorset Young Performers competition This year’s winners, Dorchester band Epic Journey, will headline the stage with the runner up Aiden from Bridport and finalists Colt 45 from Ferndown and Playing with Giants from Weymouth. They will play from 6pm onwards. The compere will be Thomas Hardye pupil Roan Doyle. On Friday, July 10, one band from each of the borough’s secondary schools will perform in the Battle of the Bands competition.

Other highlights will include discounted taster sessions in sailing at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.