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Participation Sports

Watersports

Thanks to the Cardiff Bay Barrage an area of tidal mudflats have now become the 500-acre freshwater lake of Cardiff Bay. The Cardiff Bay Water Activity Centre is ideally situated in a purpose built facility in South Cardiff, on the edge of the River Taff. With the dedicated slipway and pontoons the water is a stones throw from the facility. From here they also have excellent links to the Taff Trail and the rest of Cardiff Bay, as well as sailing, rowing and canoeing.

White Water Centre

As part of the International Sports Village a 250m Olympic standard canoe slalom centre will open in 2008. The £8.4m centre is expected to attract 50,000 users per year for white water rafting, canoeing and kayaking. www.cardiffsportsvillage.co.uk

Outdoor Activities

Just twenty minutes from the city centre you can find beautiful scenery and relaxing walks in the Vale of Glamorgan. Travel a little further and you’ll reach the Brecon Beacons, one of three National Parks in Wales. Activities including rock climbing, caving, paragliding, horse riding, canoeing, sailing and mountain biking are all available here; or you could try surfing off the Glamorgan heritage coast, walking in the Wye Valley or even an urban walk around Cardiff. www.visitwales.co.uk/active

Cycling

Exploring Cardiff by bike is one of the quickest ways to get around. The city's easy gradients and large green parks make it ideal for cyclists. The leafy Taff Trail cycle path runs North to South along the banks of the river Taff, linking the Brecon Beacons, Castle Coch, the City centre and Cardiff Bay. Find out more. In the summer months the 'Beacons Bus' leaves Cardiff on Sundays and Bank Holidays and tows a bike trailer to Garwnant or Brecon. From there you can go off-road, travel the local cycle paths or cycle part or the whole way back to Cardiff. Cardiff is also home to the Pedal Power Project, an award-winning scheme that provides specialised cycling facilities for people with learning disabilities. The facility allows cyclists and their carers to access Bute Park and the Taff Trail.

Visitors to Cardiff Bay can now walk to the barrage and across to Penarth Head, with the opening of the Cardiff Bay Barrage Coast Path from the Inner Harbour to the barrage. The new route provides a safe pedestrian and cycle route with direct access to and from the Inner Harbour, linking with the existing footway, cycle way and transport network through to the city and beyond. Find out more

Indoor Facilities

Boulders Indoor Climbing Centre

Opening soon is Wales’ largest indoor climbing centre. A fantastic experience for the whole family where absolutely no experience is necessary. Under the guidance of qualified instructors try climbing in a safe and controlled environment. With over 2000 ft2 of climbing walls that reach between 4 to 12 meters in height they can cater for the most intrepid explorer through to the more sedate traveller. 5 minutes from the city centre find out more.

International Sports Village

This major £700 million project in Cardiff Bay will further enhance Cardiff's reputation as a sporting city. The development will feature a 50m swimming pool which has recently opened, a real snow ski dome, a sports arena that will host ice hockey, gymnastics, judo and other sports; casinos, restaurants, hotels and a 400ft viewing tower that will offer views across South Wales and the Bristol Channel. www.cardiffsportsvillage.co.uk

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