Swansea’s Sports: 3 That Fit for Freshers.
By Efan Willis
University sports enables students, both old and new, to enjoy the full benefits of student living; to make friends, be physically active, and, most importantly, to have fun doing so. We at the Waterfront have picked three sports that allow freshers to fully experience what the area has to offer, from the far-reaching coastline, to the sheer cliffs of the Gower!
Windsurfing
The first sport, like the other aquatic sports clubs at university, lets members take advantage of the campus’ close proximity to the water. Max Graham, a representative of the club, described the SUWC as being as “beginner friendly” as possible, so even if you’re a novice windsurfer, you won’t be out of your depth!
As a member of the Student Windsurfing Association, the SUWC takes regular trips to other universities across the country, to share their love of the sport with fellow windsurfers nationwide. The SWA organise a bunch of socials that allow its members to experience different parts of the UK for both their nightlife and their waters!
Unfortunately, the cross-country trips are dependent on COVID-19 restrictions, meaning they are not guaranteed to take place in the 2020-21 academic year, but as freshers, you’ll still have plenty of time to experience them fully in the future!
For more information, please contact windsurfing@swansea-sports.co.uk
Mountaineering
Mountaineering is another sport that blends perfectly with Swansea’s lush landscape. The club is located near the stunning cliffs of Gower, which they frequently use to train and explore. While the idea of mountaineering may intimidate novice climbers, the club can assure that all newcomers will be properly trained, in a way which ensures both fun and safety!
The SUMC hosts “beginner friendly club trips” catered to the inexperienced, but if you’re already comfortable with mountaineering, you’ll revel in the opportunity to tackle the rich terrain. Better still, all current members are trained to teach first-time mountaineers, so you’re in great hands — they were all in your shoes at one point!
If signing up immediately is too big a commitment, the club would love to have you attend a taster session, where they’ll begin to demonstrate exactly what it means to be a mountaineer at SUMC.
If you want to know more, don’t hesitate to email their committee at sumc@sumc.org.uk
Ultimate Frisbee
Ultimate Frisbee is quickly becoming a staple of the university sports circuit, with most major universities in the UK being represented in the BUCS league. The league allows both men and women to compete on the same teams, which makes ultimate frisbee one of the few all-inclusive sports currently available to play at Swansea University. The SUUC also happens to be a very good Ultimate club, most recently placing in the top 20 in the nation through the BUCS league!
The club is well known for being one of the most social sports clubs on campus, regularly planning nights out to town or trips to other Universities, where they compete in the national league. According to one club member, “some of our members join primarily because they hear how good our socials are!”
Despite being a very good Ultimate club, they’re extremely beginner friendly. Boasting around 60 members, many of whom have represented their countries at an international level, you’re sure to learn from the best. While a large portion of training is centred indoors, the club also finds themselves training on the beach from time-to-time, meaning, much like the sports mentioned above, you’ll be able to take advantage of the university’s close proximity to the Welsh coastline.
If you’d like any more information about joining Swansea University’s Ultimate Club, please email ultimatefrisbee@swansea-sports.co.uk
Have a great year!
