Surfing

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Surfing should only be practiced if you are a confident swimmer
The tides can be fast and the water can be unpredictable so it is important you can swim
Surfing is becoming a very fashionable sport, particularly among young people
There are many popular surfing spots across Wales, so it's easy to get involved and give the sport a try
You will need to wear a wetsuit, as the sea around Britain is extremely cold. You should be able to hire one from most surfing centres

Kitesurfing involves surfing while holding onto a kite and using the wind to help you ride the waves
There are various styles of kitesurfing including: freeride, speed, boardarcross, kickers and sliders, hangtime, waveriding and freestyle

Surf Life Saving is a unique activity, combining humanitarian goals with elite competition
Its aims and objectives are:
- to save lives
- to develop and improve national and international standards of life saving
- to co-operate with all organisations with similar aims
- to provide the facilities for young people to participate in organised life saving
Surf Life Saving Association Wales (SLSA) is a not-for-profit registered charity with 26 affiliated voluntary lifeguard clubs - from Jackson's Bay, Barry, in the east, to Aberystwyth in the west. It covers every local authority from the Vale of Glamorgan to Ceredigion
Lifesavers compete to test their fitness and surf skills in local competition and in Welsh, British, and International Championships
The Surf Life Saving Championships of Wales is the biggest meeting of lifesavers to be held in Great Britain
Competition begins at 12 years with junior events, the intermediate age group is 16-18, followed by seniors to 35, and masters from 35-plus
Surf life saving competitions are divided into six main categories:
- swimming
- surf ski paddling
- Malibu Board paddling
- beach (beach flags, sprints, 2k run)
- team events
- stillwater / pool events (conducted through the winter months)