To show that there’s more to Wales than rugby, football and cricket, Thomas Hadfield scans the length and breadth of the country in search of its weirdest and most wonderful alternative sporting delights.
SURFING (INLAND)
Surf Snowdonia, Dolgarrog, Conwy Valley
You know Snowdonia for its beautiful walks, challenging peaks and breathtaking views. Well, now you can surf there too. Yes, almost eight miles from the coast lies a huge artificial lake with its own wave machine. People of all surfing abilities from far and wide can come to enjoy themselves on what is a pioneering world first. Enjoy the thrills and spills of the surf pool, before trying your hand at the Crash And Splash Lagoon, an assault course on water that ends with you being launched into the air by “the blob”. You’ll have to try it to understand.
Info: 01492 353123 / www.surfsnowdonia.com
SURFING (ON THE COAST)
Surfing is a sport everyone should try at least once. Whether you master it straight away, or continually fall off and straight into the sea, you’re guaranteed to have a laugh. Wales’ beaches have been labelled as some of the best surfing spots in the UK, and surf schools are available for beginners. The beaches of Pembrokeshire, the Gower, and the Llyn Peninsula are all popular amongst surfers, but chances are any beach you discover will be great.
Info: www.visitwales.com/things-to-do/activities/watersports/surfing
COASTEERING
Anglesey, Gower, Ogmore, Pembrokeshire
Very much a Welsh invention, coasteering is a dynamic and daring sport. It involves basically hurling yourself amongst the rocks and in the ocean, but in a fun and safe way. Nicknamed “extreme rock pooling”, coasteering is suitable for the whole family with a range of different routes available. Jump into the sea from up to 10 metres, swim back, scamper back up the rocks and jump in again! Accompanied by a guide, discover some of the hidden gems of the Welsh coast, and get an adrenaline rush while you’re doing it.
Info: www.visitwales.com/things-to-do/activities/watersports/coasteering
HOCKEY
Maybe you’ve never tried it before and you’re hankering to get active and have some fun, or maybe you played it at school but you’ve not done it since. Hockey is an all action sport that anyone can play. After the success of Team GB’s women’s hockey team at the Rio Olympics, it’s safe to say hockey is bigger than ever in Britain, and it’s easier than ever to get involved. With over 80 men’s and women’s clubs across Wales, all you have to do is contact your nearest club, and take it from there.
Info: www.hockeywales.org.uk
CYCLING
Whether it be mountain biking or road racing, there are plenty of options for you to get out on your bike in Wales. Join in on the HSBC City Ride in Cardiff on Sun 6 Aug, or if you prefer a bit more privacy, try out one of the many cycling routes, including the Taff Trail and the Celtic Trail. If you prefer mountain biking, there’s plenty of trails, because, well, Wales has plenty of mountains. The Brecon Beacons, Snowdonia, and the South Wales Valleys have trails perfect for both novices and seasoned bikers.
Info: www.visitwales.com/things-to-do/activities/biking; www.letsride.co.uk
WHITE WATER RAFTING
Cardiff International White Water, National White Water Centre Bala
White water rafting is a thrill-a-minute sport that can be enjoyed without actually being any good at it. Whether you do it out in nature on the River Tryweryn or River Dee, or on the Olympic standard artificial course in Cardiff, you’re guaranteed a fun time. It’ll be wet, but you’ll get an adrenaline rush like no other as you crash through the rapids at high speeds, using your paddle to steer you back on course.
Info: www.ciww.com; www.canoewales.com
SWIMMING
Big Brutal Swim, Llanberis
The Big Brutal swim returns to Llanberis on Wed 16 Aug this year, so if you fancy testing yourself against the elements and one of the deepest lakes in Wales, you can sign up to compete in the 2.5k, 5k or 10k races, with or without a wetsuit. If, however, you prefer your swimming slightly more relaxed and a lot less brutal, why not go for a coastal swim on one of Wales’ many beaches. Chill out with seals and dolphins or explore caves and lagoons on the coastline.
Info: www.brutalevents.co.uk
TUG OF WAR ACROSS THE HARBOUR
Aberaeron, Sat 19 Aug
Remember doing tug of war back on sports day in school? Your team pulling with all their might, against the other team who somehow managed to get half the rugby team on their side. Everyone pulls until one side can’t give anymore. Now imagine that, but the two teams are on each side of a harbour, and whoever loses gets dunked into the water. That’s the annual tradition over in Aberaeron. A great spectator sport for those who’d rather stay dry.
Info: www.aberaeron.info
WORLD BOG SNORKELLING CHAMPIONSHIPS
Llanwrtyd Wells, Sun 27 Aug
Yes, you read that right. Bog snorkelling. It’s exactly what it sounds like, and this year is the 32nd annual World Championships. Anyone can enter, so if you feel this may be your sport, sign up and give it a go. The current record time for the course stands at 1 minute 22.56 seconds, and people from all over the world come to one of the smallest towns in the UK, Llanwrtyd Wells, to compete. If you’d rather stay away from the bogs and just watch, there’s plenty to do in town on the day.
Info: www.green-events.co.uk
RUNNING
Race The Train, Tywyn, Sat 19 Aug
There’s a train, and you race it. Simple. Or maybe not that simple, as you’ll be running on all terrain alongside an actual real-life steam train for 14 miles. This is a really challenging race for any running enthusiast and the changing environment and ground proves to be a tough test for many an experienced runner. There’s also a juicy cash prize for anyone who can beat the current course record of 1 hour 18 minutes for the men and 1 hour 34 minutes for the women’s race, if the challenge isn’t incentive enough.
Info: www.racethetrain.com
KITESURFING
If there’s one thing Welsh beaches are perfect for, it’s kitesurfing. With plenty of wind, space and sea, Wales has become a go-to destination for kite surfers from all over the world. The art of using the wind to propel yourself across the waves is a tricky one at first, but with perseverance and dedication it can be one of the most satisfying and fun sports to master. The north, west and south coasts all have plenty of beaches perfect for you to give kitesurfing a go.
Info: www.visitwales.com/things-to-do/activities/watersports/kitesurfing
KAYAKING
Whether it’s in the rivers and lakes, or on the coast, kayaking and canoeing in Wales can be a great adventure. If you come across a big body of water, chances are there’s going to be someone renting kayaks out. The views and experiences you can have kayaking through the country are unparalleled, and you’re always within an hour of a great spot. Make sure to take a camera, as you’re going to want to show off where you’ve been.
Info: www.canoewales.com
NETBALL
Netball in the UK is becoming bigger and bigger, and here in Wales it’s no different. The Celtic Dragons may be the only Welsh side in the Netball Superleague, but there are plenty of local clubs for any budding netball players to get involved. Adult looking to get back into a sport and team? Junior just starting out? finding your local club is easy: just visit the Welsh Netball website, enter your town or postcode and you’re away. Who knows, maybe in time you’ll be lining up for the Celtic Dragons at Sophia Gardens.
Info: www.welshnetball.co.uk
ICE HOCKEY
The Cardiff Devils are quickly becoming a favourite team for many in Wales. They’re currently enjoying unprecedented success, winning the Elite League and Challenge Cup last season. Going to a match at the rink in Cardiff Bay is great fun and newcomers soon pick up on the rules and how the game is played. It’s an exhilarating, end-to-end sport that’ll leave you breathless just from watching. A great night out supporting a great Welsh team – what more could you ask for?
Info: www.cardiffdevils.com
SAILING
IRC Welsh National Championship, Pwllheli / Extreme Sailing Series, Cardiff
The Extreme Sailing Series returns to Cardiff on the bank holiday weekend of Sat 25 Aug for more high-octane racing. Last year crowds gathered in the race village near the Norwegian Church to watch teams from all over the world compete in the bay. There’s also the IRC Welsh National Championships in Pwllheli on the Llyn Peninsula, on Fri 11-Sun 13 Aug, so plenty for sailing racing fans to sink their teeth into.
Info: www.extremesailingseries.com; www.ircwelshchamps.com
CLIMBING
Release your inner Spider-Man climbing up steep cliff faces and mountains, or even in an indoor facility. Rock climbing is an invigorating sport that gives you a sense of achievement like no other: getting to the top of your climb and looking down at what you’ve just conquered will make you feel superhuman. With climbing centres all over Wales, from the Brecon Beacons up to Snowdonia, you can enjoy views like no other after scaling the heights. Then you can even abseil back down for an added thrill.
Info: www.visitwales.com/things-to-do/activities/rocks-ropes
QUIDDITCH
Bangor, Swansea
Yes, really, you can now play the popular sport from the wizarding world of Harry Potter in real life. Nicknamed Muggle Quidditch, the sport has become popular among universities, and there’s even a competitive league. Swansea and Bangor University both have Quidditch teams and allow non-students to join. Unfortunately, we don’t have the technology or magic to make broomsticks fly, but apart from that the rules are practically all the same as in the books and films. There’s even a UK national Quidditch team, so why not try out this emerging sport and see if you can hold your own on a broomstick.
Info: www.quidditchuk.org
AMERICAN FOOTBALL
The biggest sport in the USA is slowly becoming more popular on this side of the pond and it’s easier than ever to get involved. Although it may seem complicated to start off with, once you pick up on the rules it can become an obsession. A tactically intricate sport that tests both body and mind, American football has obvious similarities with rugby, making it popular amongst students nationwide. If you prefer a non-contact version to start with, flag football is also popular and you can find your nearest local clubs online.
Info: www.britishamericanfootball.org
ULTIMATE FRISBEE
With clubs all over the country, Ultimate Frisbee is a sport that’s easy to get involved in and easy to pick up. The aim is to get the frisbee into your opposition’s endzone to score, but the catch is that once you have the Frisbee you can’t move. This means having to skilfully throw the disc to your teammates, without giving the other team an opportunity to intercept it. Ultimate Frisbee is a fast-paced sport guaranteed to get you moving that promotes sportsmanship by having no referee and relying on players to enforce the rules.
Info: www.ukultimate.com
WELSH BASEBALL
A sport that’s been played in Wales for over a century, the game has suffered somewhat in recent years but is looking to make a strong comeback. Popular in schools, Welsh baseball is similar to rounders, and is easy to pick up and understand. All you have to do is hit the ball, and run around the bases without being caught out. With both men’s and women’s leagues, why not find a few mates, get to your nearest club and help revitalize this historic sport.
Info: www.welshbaseball.co.uk; www.wlbu.org
YOGA
Not just a hub for techies, film fans and music lovers, Cardiff’s Tramshed – just West of the River Taff – now also has a fitness studio for all levels of fitness. Offering classes in different branches of yoga, Pilates, and more with handy difficulty levels for each one, Tramshed Studio is a true hub for yoga in Cardiff. Originating in ancient India, yoga is a combination of physical, mental and spiritual practices that has many health benefits. Since it became widely popular outside of India in the 1960s, it has been an essential part of many people’s routines with immeasurable benefits.
Info: www.tramshedstudio.com
BEACH VOLLEYBALL
With four sand beach volleyball courts in the heart of Canton in the beautiful Victoria Park, Cardiff Beach Volleyball are the perfect organisation to join for those looking for a fringe but growing sport. The sport, now in the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, is watched and played all around the world and is one of the most popular team sports. To put it simply, you have to stop the ball from hitting the ground anywhere on your side of the net with just three touches, while trying to make it land on your opponent’s side.