Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy

The Sailing Academy is the ultimate multi-sport venue with a luxurious restaurant and conference facilities

The Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA), host venue for the 2012 sailing events, has an established global reputation for its outstanding facilities. WPNSA was formed in 1999 as a not-for-profit company by a group of far-sighted individuals who identified the brown field site with immediate water access into Portland Harbour and Weymouth Bay as a huge asset to not only the local Weymouth and Portland communities but as a destination that would attract sports people and events at national and international levels.

The venue has already provided training facilities for the 2008 Olympic Games medal winning heroes, helping an overall medal haul of four golds, one silver and one bronze.

It is also the first UK Olympic venue to be completed, over three years ahead of schedule and in budget with an active sustainable legacy programme.

Looking at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy from a purely sailing related perspective, the surrounding waters of Portland Harbour and Weymouth Bay are some of the best sailing waters on the planet. The clean winds, sheltered waters and weak tides also have added value due to these natural conditions being preferential to a large and growing range of water sports.

In fact the Academy is ideally suited to hosting water based events including sea swimming and rowing, canoeing and sea kayaking, motor boating, sport fishing, model boating, water skiing and wake boarding. In addition, a range of land-based events from running, cycling or indoor rowing and combined events such as triathlons are run from the centre.

Triple gold medallist Ben Ainslie CBE has accepted a position as a formal Director of the Sailing Academy. Ben's recent golden glory during August 2008 has secured his position as the most successful Olympic sailor ever in British history and he was voted ISAF Rolex Sailor of the Year for a third time. Son of a Whitbread Round the World Race skipper, Ben starting sailing at the tender age of eight and won his first medal in Atlanta aged just 19. Ben is set for further glory, this time on home waters, during 2012.

Spinnakers Restaurant, positioned in the heart of the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, boasts breathtaking views across Portland Harbour and beyond. This unique venue is open for Sunday carverys throughout the winter as well as being available for private hire when not required for sailing events.

Contact Details

Address: WPNSA, Osprey Quay, Portland, Dorset DT5 1SA
Tel: 01305 866000
Fax: 01305 866001
Email: reception@wpnsa.org.uk