Waterfest a splash in Weymouth

Thousands of people have been in Weymouth for a festival celebrating the town’s maritime heritage. Waterfest was started two years ago as a way to boost business at the end of the main tourist season. It features things like tall ships, knot-tying, boat-building and gig racing.

The event was devised by the town’s BID - business improvement district - as part of a range of initiatives to help the town’s traders. Displays, demonstrations and food stalls line the harbour.

One of the highlights is a demonstration of ‘fly-boarding’. It’s a strange cross between snowboarding and water skiing. A man with water jets strapped to his boots soars high above the harbour. He uses the jets to propel him in an out of the water, rather like a leaping dolphin. The water power comes from water bike nearby.