GIve Exmouth A Sporting Chance!

The combination of fine weather, the World Cup and Wimbledon might have given you the nudge you needed to get fit. You rifled through  your cupboards, dug out your old racquets and balls and knocked the dust off your trainers - but with the monsoon weather we've been having this week, it would be perfectly understandable if you quickly dismissed your enthusiasm as a waste of time.

If you live in Exmouth though, it might be worth reconsidering. Whether you're a fair weather sportsman or woman, Exmouth has endless possibilities – some ancient, some new, and many based at the glorious sandy beach! There's no need to return to a sport you've tried and ditched countless times before. Try something new!

Exmouth really does make the most of its location by offering plenty for watersports fanatics, and it’s home to some new sports, too, such as Kite Surfing. So, whether you’re a water-baby or not, here are a few options:

Exesailing and Powerboat School is based at the Pierhead, the Sailing Club at Tornado Estuary Road, and the Exe Kiteboarders see plenty of action ten years on from when the first pioneers hit the water. On a perfect day, you might see over 100 kites on the water - something to tempt your friends or family down to the beach with, to support your sporting endeavours!

Exmouth also has a coastal and river rowing club, which is hoping to attract more young people. See the Exmouth 8k triangle challenge on the sea front at 10am.  Members currently range from 13 years old to 65, so there's every reason to give it a go.

Based at the beach is the East Devon Beach Volleyball Club, which welcomes new players and meets on the ‘No Swimming’ area of Exmouth Beach on Tuesdays until 7th September, nets up at 6.30pm and playing until 9pm or dusk. The league caters for juniors under 12 as well as the over 40s.

If you’re looking for something more gentle, the East Devon Rambling Club organises regular walks, and the East Devon AONB website has information about activities, paths and even pushchair and wheelchair friendly routes. And then there’s the Exmouth Archers, 70 strong, with ample bows and arrows, so no need to go out and buy your own. The club has indoor and outdoor venues.  And for something even more civilised and traditional, why not try Budleigh Croquet Club – overlooking the sea and countryside and boasting 10 full-size lawns, a clubhouse and two pavilions. Visitors are always welcome.

And for the more physical amongst Exmouth people, what about some martial arts? The town is HQ for Devon Judo Centres, led by international figure John Goldman, Black Belt 7th Dan, and President of the Universal Budo Association. For information about classes and times, which take place at Exmouth Sports Centre, visit the Devon Judo Centres website.

So there’s no excuse for just sitting in your back garden with a newspaper on a sunny day – or hibernating just because a monsoon season has started! There’s so much sport to get involved with in Exmouth, surely it’d be rude not to!