With the Euros and Olympics taking place, the Summer of 2024 has been a feast for Sports. Whether you’re a huge football fan or enjoy watching gymnastics, athletics and more once every 4 years, you may be feeling inspired to take up a new sporting activity or dust the cobwebs off your old gear.
There are plenty of places along the coastline to fill the inevitable void left by the end of the Euros, the Olympics, and with the Paralympics wrapping up. We’ve listed some of them below.
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Southend Sports Centre
With two sports centres to choose from in Southend, you’re spoilt for choice of a range of activities you can do. Visit the swimming complexes to improve your endurance, or take a jump off the diving board if you fancy yourself as the next Tom Daley. Use the Tennis or badminton courts or sign up to gym. There’s plenty to do and plenty of clubs to join at the Chase Sports Centre and the Southend Leisure & Tennis Centre.
Belfairs Golf Club
Once described as a ‘hidden gem’ of a golf course, the Belfairs Golf Club is welcoming to golfers of all ages and abilities. The club prides itself on creating a warm and welcoming environment and holds multiple tee times each week and regular competitions. Beyond golf, the club also holds social events including quizzes and dinner dances. For existing or budding golf enthusiasts, this is certainly a club you should check out along the coastline.
Watch Southend United
We may be a little bias on this one, with c2c being Southend United’s shirt sponsor for the 2024/25 season, but this is a great way to spend the afternoon. Soak up the atmosphere and watch 90 minutes of pulsating action. Maybe even grab a bite to eat a halftime for the full experience.
Southend Watersports
Ever wanted to dive into water sports? In Southend, you’ll find plenty of schools and lessons to suit every thrill-seeker, whether you’re after the rush of windsurfing or the serenity of paddleboarding, canoeing, or kayaking.
You can master scuba diving with Dive Odyssea, offering trips and training both in the UK and abroad. With Essex Windsurfing and Essex Kitesurfing, you can harness the power of the wind to glide effortlessly (after a few lessons, of course). Perfect Day Watersports offers canoe and kayak rentals, as well as courses, and if you’re craving speed, they also provide Level 2 Powerboat training for an exhilarating experience.
Basildon Sporting Village
A cornerstone of South Essex’s sports scene, Basildon Sporting Village offers top-notch facilities for a wide range of activities. The complex features an athletics stadium, a swimming pool, a state-of-the-art gym, and courts for various sports. The village inspires local athletes and serves as a hub for community events. Whether you’re looking to train, compete, or just keep fit, Basildon Sporting Village is a go-to destination for sports enthusiasts.
The Olympic Park and Village in East London
As you travel from South Essex towards London, you’ll pass the iconic Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in East London. Originally the heart of the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, this area has been transformed into a vibrant hub for sports, leisure, and community activities.
The Olympic Village, now known as East Village, once housed thousands of athletes and is now a thriving community surrounded by world-class sports venues. The London Aquatics Centre offers public swimming in the same pools used by Olympic and Paralympic champions. Nearby, the Lee Valley VeloPark provides cycling experiences on the same tracks where records were broken.
The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is also home to the Copper Box Arena, which hosts basketball, netball, and other indoor sports events. Whether you’re looking to participate or watch, the park’s venues cater to a wide range of athletic interests.
