THE first major landsailing event to be held on Teesside's beaches for 30 years will take place later this month.

Redcar Regatta will see the best landsailors in the country take part in four race classes and the event will give members of the public the opportunity to watch this little known sport at close quarters.

In the 1970s, races were held regularly on the beach by Cleveland Land Yacht Club and Coatham beach is still considered one of the best landsailing venues in the country.

But the region's links with the sport go back even further, to 1909 when the Sand Sailing Club was established at Saltburn, making it one of the first clubs of its type in the world.

This month's regatta is being organised by local members of York Landyacht Club - the closest British Landsailing club to this area.

One of the organisers, Kevin Skelton, said: “The regatta will be a wonderful spectacle and hopefully many people will come out to watch. Spectators will be able to get very close to the action and, especially if the wind conditions are right, we should have an exciting two days of racing.

“This is the first time competitive landsailing has been seen in the area for 30 years and so for most people watching, this will be a new experience.”

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council’s cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism, Councillor Olwyn Peters, said: “This is a really exciting time for Redcar and we are honoured to play host to the British Championships of this exhilarating and dramatic sport.

“We would encourage visitors to come along to Redcar and support the finalists in action.'

Redcar Regatta will run from 10am to 4pm, with practice from 8.30am on Saturday, April 27 and 10am to 3pm Sunday 28.

Part of Coatham Beach will be closed to the public for the regatta but there is ample room at Majuba Road for spectators to view this fantastic sport at close quarters.

Timings of the races could be subject to change at short notice due to beach and weather conditions.