Like many of you the last few weeks of my life has been spent watching the London 2012 Olympics. The games have given me personal motivation to be more active and hopefully take up a new activity. In Portsmouth we have a wide variety of first class facilities and sports clubs available to us. See you in Rio 2016?

You may have noticed that we have Beach Volleyball courts situated along the sea front on Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, opposite the D-day Museum. There are 3 courts which each have adjustable nets for junior, female and male competitions or casual play. The courts can also be used for Beach Soccer.

This is an open access facility availible to all local residents FREE of charge. For any further enquiries please contact the Portsmouth City Council Recreation team on 023 9283 4194.

The Mountbatten Centre in Hilsea offers facilities such as a 50m swimming pool, squash courts and martial arts rooms.

If you are more interested in trying something outdoors then look no further than Portsmouth Watersports Centre along Eastern Road. They offer canoeing and kayaking courses for all ages and abilities. Instructors are fully qualified and also BCU accredited.

The centre also offers a range of RYA National Sailing Scheme courses for all ages and abilities. Whether you are a beginner, improver or an experienced sailor. For £20 per person you can attend one of the short dinghy sailing taster sessions, all the equipment you need to participate will be provided.

Other activities include Windsurfing, Powerboating, Rowing and Climbing.

Southsea is also home to the Langstone Adventure Rowing centre for traditional, fixed seat rowing. You can find out more about them on our article from back in June.

If you are into BMX riding then I’m sure you are well aware of Southsea Skatepark. Southsea Skatepark has a huge history within BMX riding. 17 years of the famous King of Concrete contest has helped boast one of the best riding scenes in the world. And has helped develop some of the worlds best riders, Mark Webb most famously, Ben Wallace, Craig Campbell in his earlier years, and even park manager Effraim Catlow. Nowadays up and comers Declan Brooks (2nd Boardmasters Pro Class), Josh Crosswell, and Jack Watts all shred the park on a regular basis.

The skatepark has recently had some new ramps built to help keep up with the times and demand. They have probably the biggest fun box in the country, with new 7ft quarter right after, a new mellow spine thats good for learning on, a international standard spine mini ramp at the back of the park, a mini ramp for beginners to learn, the historic concrete bowls, which the snake run has always been a good place to start out for beginners.

They offer a coaching lesson programme for beginners, £2.50 for one hour plus £2.50 entry, between 10-12, the other free hour is for you to freestyle yourself around the park.

(Photo Matt Maber)

On Strong Island we try to promote cycling as often as we can through our Bikes and Cycling page. There is also a Facebook group Southsea Cycle Club where members post cycle routes, announce up coming rides, help each other out with parts/tools, posting photos of past rides and general southsea cycling goodness.

(Photo Tristan Savage)

Get involved.