Poole Grammar School stormed to victory during the Sail for Gold OnBoard event in Poole Harbour.

More than 40 pupils, aged 10 to 16, from seven schools across Dorset had spent eight weeks learning to windsurf at the FJB Watersports Academy.

And the youngsters went head-to-head in a series of competitions held in the harbour.

Winners Poole Grammar did battle with Poole High School, Bryanston School in Blandford, Castle Court in Wimborne and Highcliffe School, as well as Bournemouth schools Avonbourne and St Michael’s.

Bryanston (second), St Michael’s (third) and Highcliffe (fourth) were today set to join Poole Grammar at the Dorset School Windsurfing Championships at the Olympic Games sailing venue in Weymouth and Portland.

OnBoard’s Sam Ross said: “With each round, competitors improved their starts and tried to get gybes tighter and tighter to make sure others couldn’t sneak past on the final leg.”

Organiser and manager of the FJB Watersports Academy Dave Hartwell said: “With 40 school children from across the region coming to take part, this was a great event.

“With the world’s leading windsurfers coming to Weymouth this summer, we wanted to give youngsters the opportunity to take part in their own competition.

“We are looking forward to seeing the top four teams compete at the Olympic windsurfing and sailing venue.”

Sail for Gold is the RYA’s nationwide London 2012 initiative celebrating Britain’s Olympic sailing heritage and inspiring more people to get out on the water more regularly.

Over a 10-year period, OnBoard aims to introduce a minimum of 50,000 children to sailing and windsurfing in the United Kingdom, converting 10 per cent of them into regular participants.