AFTER 14 long years, sailing will finally return to Lake Learmonth this weekend.With water back in the lake, the Lake Learmonth Yacht Club will host the season’s first sailing event on Saturday and plans to continue sailing each weekend through summer.Former Australian Youth Sailing champion Tom Watson, who grew up on the banks of Lake Learmonth, will take part in Saturday’s opening event.Club spokesman Geoff Ryan said after years of not being full, Lake Learmonth was almost back to it’s pristine best.“We’re thrilled because some of us were really wondering if we’d ever get the water back,” he said.“Its almost full now, so it’s nearly two metres deep.”Mr Ryan said locals felt a lot better knowing their lake was nearing its best leading into the sailing season.“I think everybody around Learmonth feels uplifted by having the water in the lake,” he said.“We’re getting lots and lots of people coming out here – yachties, power boat operators, fishermen.“Its a very safe lake, the bottom is nice and flat and its big enough for everybody to have a good time out there.”Mr Ryan pointed to the sailing benefits of Lake Learmonth over other lakes in the region.“The winds are always very good here, they’re always consistent with not a lot of rocks,” he said.“It’s about four or five times bigger than Lake Wendouree, but with no weeds.”Saturday’s sailing event will be the first at the lake in 14 years.“If the numbers build up enough, then well be purchasing a rescue boat and starting races in February next year,” Mr Ryan said.The Lake Learmonth Yacht Club’s opening season event will be held at the lake from 2pm.Follow @JordanHOliver