DALGETY BAY Sailing Club will play host to around 100 youth and junior sailors this weekend as part of British Youth Sailing's Regional Junior Championships.

Aimed at children aged between 6-16, the eight-venue festival offers sailing for all levels, with a championship fleet for those who are more experienced, a coached regatta fleet for those developing their racing skills, and a 'fun onboard' fleet for newcomers.

RYA (Royal Yachting Association) Scotland are joined by their counterparts in Northern Ireland and Wales in kicking off the festival, before passing the baton to English regions the following weekend.

Last year’s edition welcomed over 1,500 youth and junior sailors across all venues, and it’s expected that number will increase as the popularity of the event continues to grow.

Along with prizes for event winners there will also be a range of prizes for sailors exhibiting the British Youth Sailing Values and Behaviours and showing a passion for the sport.

The British Sailing Team’s 470 sailor Niamh Harper will also be on hand to talk to competitors and give them coaching tips, and Mark Nicholls, the RYA's youth racing manager, said: "Last year the Regional Junior Championships really showed the strength of youth and junior sailing in this country.

"We had a record number of entries across all the fleets and the blend of fun sailing with competitive racing worked very well.

“This is an event that showcases the love of our sport from a young age and seeing young people enjoy themselves on the water is a real bonus for us as organisers.

“I can’t wait to see hotly contested youth racing, but more importantly the smiles from all the sailors just starting out. I know it’s going to be another great sailing event.”