WEYMOUTH: Exciting 2014 events programme launched !

WEYMOUTH and Portland has officially launched its exciting programme of events for 2014. It will be hosting more than 260 events throughout the year including world and national sailing championships, live music, art and sports events, community fetes and fairs and many seasonal favourites during 2014. The events programme gets off to a sporting start this month (February) With the Topper Winter Regatta at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy while on February 22nd-23rd the borough will also host the quad bike racing event, Dickies Quad Beach Cross, on Weymouth Beach. The borough’s major events are back in 2014 including Best of Dorset Show in March, Weymouth Kite Festival in May, Wessex Folk Festival and Armed Forces Celebrations in June, Dorset Seafood Festival and Spirit of Portland in July, Weymouth Carnival in August and the Lions Beach Motocross in October. Big sporting and leisure events will be happening in Weymouth and Portland this year including one of the country’s leading Iron Distance triathlons, Challenge Weymouth, in September. Challenge Weymouth will lead more than 1,500 athletes through this incredible multi endurance event which includes a 3.8km swim, a 180km bike ride and a 42.2km run, attracting an extra 5,000 sports visitors and supporters. Challenge Weymouth is planning to develop a strong future in Weymouth. A range of high class sailing competitions will also be happening at the WPSNA including Cadet Worlds in August and the Wayfarer and Optimist Nationals in July and August. People can also take part in sporting challenges such as BustinSkin multi-event series, Round-the-Rock I0K, Portland 10 mile road race and Dumble Bimble Fun Run on Portland, the Weymouth 10 Mile Race on Weymouth Seafront and the ASA Long Distance Swimming Championships. July and August is always a great time to try out a sport and join in the fun on Weymouth Beach and this year the Ecover Blue Mile will be back with an open-water swim, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding. This will be part of the Dorset Festival of Sports which will feature the Beach Sports Festival, the Battens Charity Beach Volleyball and the RAF Weymouth Beach Volleyball Classic, the country’s leading two side men’s and women’s volleyball championship. Throughout 2014 the borough’s fabulous park and open spaces will host a range of activities including fetes, fairs and picnics organised by the parks’ friends groups and the borough council. Weymouth Portland tourism spokesman Councillor Ian Bruce said: “The 2014 programme is full of top quality events. There are seasonal favourites and exciting new events making this programme bigger and better than ever. There is really something for everyone to enjoy and get involved with. This programme will again give a great economic benefit to the area. “A special thanks to this year’s event partners, Real World Security, Weymouth Swimming Pool (SLM), Weymouth Pavilion, Mud & Gears and Just Racing (Challenge Weymouth).” For the events happening in Weymouth and Portland go to www.visitweymouth.co.uk.