Soccer, the other team sport
Although largely overshadowed by rugby, soccer has a strong following. A number of Welsh clubs, notably Cardiff and Swansea, play in the English Championship. But it's the national team that's the talk of the town. It has to be said that it has included many great players in its ranks. In the 1980s and 1990s, Ian Rush played for the Welsh national team and Liverpool, before handing over to Ryan Giggs in the 1990s and 2000s. The Manchester United legend, winner of two Champions Leagues and 13 English Championship titles in the red shirt, has carried the Welsh colors high. Today, these legends have given way to Aaron Ramsay, who played for Arsenal for eleven years after leaving Cardiff, and above all Gareth Bale. The Real Madrid striker, described as "the greatest Welsh player of all time" by Ryan Giggs himself, has won everything at the world's most prestigious club and led his national team to the semi-finals of Euro 2016. The best performance in Wales' history.
Taking to the sea
One of today's most famous Welshmen is skipper Alex Thomson.2nd in the Vendée Globe in 2017, the legendary solo round-the-world sailing race, and3rd in the previous edition (2012), he was unfortunately forced to retire in 2021 and subsequently put his career on hold. The Bangor native also came close to achieving the feat in the Route du Rhum in 2018. With a large lead, he unfortunately ran aground a few miles from the finish and was only ranked3rd.
If you want to get away from it all, you'll have to make do with a few sea excursions organized by agencies based mainly in Pembrokeshire. Sail around the islands of Skomer, Skokholm and Ramsey and try to spot dolphins, porpoises, birds and sometimes even whales and sharks. There's also the chance to get out and about in a kayak, paddle, surf or windsurf. But the trendiest sport in recent years is coasteering, a mix of climbing, jumping and swimming in the sea... thrills guaranteed!
On land too, we sweat
More and more cycling fans are taking to the roads in the land of Geraint Thomas, winner of the 2018 Tour de France. But mountain bikers are also pedaling on mountain trails.
Hiking is, after all, the main activity when you set foot in Wales. The region lends itself wonderfully to all kinds of walks: sporty hikes, strolls along cliffs, adventures in forest trails or short climbs up the most challenging slopes of Mount Snowdon (1,085 m above sea level). Warm up! Especially if you're planning to tackle the famous Offa's Dyke Path, the ancient border between Wales and England. These multi-day walks offer beautiful itineraries and spectacular scenery. On the seaside, the Wales Coast Path attracts walkers who can survey the entire coastline.
With its countless lakes and rivers, Wales also offers an exceptional playground for fly fishermen, who aim for wild trout, sea trout, rainbows, grayling, salmon...
Finally, golf enthusiasts will find a number of renowned greens in the heart of exceptional landscapes. The Ryder Cup has already put down its bags on the Twenty Ten course at Celtic Manor near Cardiff, while Tiger Woods has already swung his clubs at Royal Porthcawl in Rest Bay, the most beautiful course in the country.
