Up to 250 windsurfers from more than 40 nations are racing off Weymouth and Portland this week. Saturday's free Fan Zone at the Pavilion screens the Medal Series live, with free taster sessions to book.

The world championship of Olympic windsurfing is being decided off Weymouth and Portland this week, and the public gets a free front-row seat on Saturday.

The 2026 Musto iQFOiL World Championships run from Monday 7 to Saturday 12 September. Dorset Council says up to 250 of the world’s leading windsurfers from more than 40 nations are competing off the Dorset coast. The iQFOiL is the foiling windsurf class raced at the Olympic Games, and the week ends with the Medal Series on Saturday, when the new men’s and women’s world champions are crowned.

For residents, the day that matters is Saturday 12 September. A free Fan Zone runs on the harbourside outside Weymouth Pavilion from 10am to 6pm, with the decisive racing shown live on a giant screen from midday.

According to the RYA’s event pages, the Fan Zone includes:

  • live big-screen coverage of the Medal Series, with commentary hosted by Lucy Mills and Sandy Clunas
  • the medal ceremony and the champions’ arrival ashore
  • free taster sessions in dinghies, keelboats and windsurfers, plus accessible boat trips aboard M.V. Freedom, running from 10am with equipment provided and RYA instructors leading
  • family activities including marine environment sessions, face painting, a windsurf simulator and VR experiences, and a DJ through the day

The taster sessions are free but spaces are limited. The RYA recommends booking ahead at rya.sailia.com.

Water Fest on the beach the same day

Weymouth Town Council’s Water Fest runs alongside the Fan Zone on Weymouth Beach, from 10am to 3pm on the same Saturday. It is also free, with taster sessions in kayaking, paddleboarding, sea swimming and beach yoga, a mobile sauna and children’s activities, on the sand opposite the beach office.

Cllr David Civil, leader of Weymouth Town Council, said the two events falling on the same day would “generate a fantastic atmosphere”. “It will be great to see the community come together to enjoy what promises to be a fantastic celebration of sport on the waterfront,” he said.

Cllr Nick Ireland, leader of Dorset Council, said hosting a world championship “is fantastic for Dorset”. “It gives us the chance to show off our stunning coastline to an international audience while bringing people into Weymouth to support local businesses. We very much hope it will inspire young people to get involved in water sports which are available right on their doorstep.”

Saturday 12 September in Weymouth at a glance Timeline for Saturday 12 September 2026. The Fan Zone at Weymouth Pavilion runs 10am to 6pm. Medal Series racing is screened live from midday. Water Fest on Weymouth Beach runs 10am to 3pm. Free taster sessions run from 10am and should be pre-booked. Saturday 12 September in Weymouth at a glance Solid bars have a published start and end. A dashed line runs through the day with no published end time. 10am noon 2pm 4pm 6pm Fan Zone, Weymouth Pavilion Medal Series on the big screen from midday Water Fest, Weymouth Beach 10am to 3pm Free taster sessions from 10am, pre-book at rya.sailia.com Sources: Dorset Council news release, 4 September 2026; RYA iQFOiL Worlds 2026 event pages; Weymouth Town Council. Graphic by The Dorset Post.
Graphic by The Dorset Post from Dorset Council, RYA and Weymouth Town Council published details.

What it means for you

  • The free day out is Saturday 12 September, 10am to 6pm, on the harbourside by Weymouth Pavilion, with Water Fest on the beach until 3pm. Racing is on the big screen from midday.
  • Book taster sessions before Saturday at rya.sailia.com if you want to try sailing or windsurfing; spaces are limited and equipment is provided.
  • Expect the seafront to be full. No road closures are listed for Saturday, but parking near the Pavilion and the beach will be under pressure; our parking in Dorset page lists the car parks, and the roadworks and travel page has this week’s closures, including the IRONMAN closures coming the following Sunday, 20 September.

The event is the second big international sporting weekend in a row for the borough: the IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon follows on Sunday 20 September, with road closures across Weymouth.

The council says the championships are expected to bring economic, tourism and community benefits, and to cement Weymouth and Portland’s standing as a sailing venue; the waters off Portland hosted the Olympic sailing events in 2012. For more ideas beyond the racing, see things to do in Dorset.

Sources