Family fun and Activities
Whatever the weather, people living and staying in Swansea tend to enjoy an active lifestyle. There's so much to do in an area resembling a giant outdoor playground.
Its beaches and coastline are the jewels in the Gower peninsula's crown with sailing clubs and schools based in the Marina including Rainbow Sailing and All Points West, and surf schools dotted along the coast such as GSD which offers year-round lessons.
There are walks through breathtaking scenery with castles and pretty villages along the way. Pony trekking and archery and scores of cycle routes both along the coast and in Port Talbot's Afan Forest Park which, only a couple of junctions up the M4, offers 64 kms of trails through natural parkland and forest. For golfers there are 13 courses within a half hour drive-time and The Celtic Manor Resort, home of the 2010 Ryder Cup, is less than an hour away.
As to tennis, outdoor and indoor courts can be found at the Swansea Tennis Centre less than a mile from the Marina, with more outdoor courts available to hire in stunning seafront locations in the centre of Mumbles and on Langland Bay. Another fantastic sports facility a short trip west along the coast is the Wales National Pool with a 50m pool and smaller 25m training pool.
For families there are kids' activity centres at the Gower Heritage Centre, the National Showcaves Centre of Wales and Margam Country Park, plus there's 10 pin bowling in the city centre and two great cinema complexes including a new Vue both walk-able from the Marina.
For the ultimate family fun, the Maritime Quarter-based LC2 is a superb Leisure Complex and Waterpark. Re-opened in 2008 after a multi million pound refurbishment, it features a lazy river, BoardRider, health spa, two full-sized sports halls, soft play area, climbing wall and the largest fitness arena in Wales.
There are five further public leisure and sports centres in Swansea plus there are private members gyms and pools in the Marriott Hotel in the Marina and the Village Hotel in neighbouring waterfront development, SA1.