Scores of visitors flocked to the South Bay beach to see the competitors over the weekend.

The fog which blighted part of last year's world championships, which were also held in the town, was nowhere to be seen, to the delight of organiser Fiona Pascoe.

She said: "We are ecstatic with the weather. It is wonderful to be back in Scarborough. The hospitality has been amazing as usual and lots of fans have come down to support us."

The event marked the start of the Thundercat racing season. Last year's world championships, featuring around 50 competitors, generated more than £1 million for the hotel and tourism industry.

Teams from countries including Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany and Sweden took part in eight days of racing. The national championships attracted about 20 entrants and Ms Pascoe said the popularity of the sport was growing all the time.

She said: "I think people like that it is community-orientated and is accessible for everybody."

Attracting much of the early attention was the All Girl Race Team of pilot Lynsay Crellin and co-pilot Nicola Fearnley. Lynsay, 22, was introduced to the sport by her father, Kevin, himself a former Thundercat competitor and champion, and was soon hooked.

She said: "He took me along once and I really liked it. I have been doing it since I was 19 and it is really good fun.

"Scarborough is a wonderful place. I came down last year for the world championships and apart from the fog it was great. We are the only all-girl team in the competition so we are often underestimated!"