Great British beach activities: 10 best beach sports

For speed freaks

The Blo-Kart landsailer is a portable, wind-powered go-kart for hire here all year round. Experienced Blo-Karters can reach speeds of up to 50mph on the five-mile stretch of sand, but all you need to have a go is some warm clothes, nerves of steel and £35 per adult for a two-hour lesson (www.purejersey.com).

For board fans

If your children are inveterate skateboarders who need their fix, check in at Watergate Hotel and Extreme Academy, where you\'ll find a mountain-boarding course. Mountain boards are off-road skateboards with foot bindings, designed to travel downhill over uneven terrain (www.watergatebay.co.uk).

For romantics

There\'s something irresistibly romantic about cantering through the surf on a beautiful beach. Studland Bay is one of the few areas in the UK to allow horse riding on its sands (www.beachriding.com).

For football fanatics

Beach soccer invokes images of Brazilians honing their skills, but there\'s a flourishing scene in the UK, too. Watch the bootless sport being played by Sandown Sociedad (www.sandownsociedad.com).

For families

Ultimate Frisbee is fun for all the family. The aim is to pass a Frisbee among players on your team so you eventually reach the other side\'s ‘end zone\'. A one-hour session at Yellowave Beach Sports in Brighton costs £50 (www.yellowave.co.uk).

For adrenaline junkies

The adrenaline that flows from ascending a sheer rock face, with the ocean beneath, will satisfy any daredevil. One of the best places to try it is Anglesey. The Rock Climbing Company will organise a package to match your ability (www.rockclimbingcompany.co.uk).

For beefy types

The Newcastle Falcons host a touch-rugby tournament annually on Tynemouth\'s Longsands Blue Flag beach, in which teams from around the North East do battle over two action-packed days (www.newcastle-falcons.co.uk)

For thrills and spills

In the past few years, coasteering - working along a coastal route by any means necessary - has leapt in popularity. You need to be reasonably fit and not averse to getting wet, as you\'ll end up experiencing the coast in an up close and personal way. Cornish Rock Tors leads routes from Polzeath (www.cornishrocktors.com).

For traditionalists

When this quintessential game of Middle England is transposed to the sand, all you need is a cricket bat, stumps and a tennis ball (a cricket ball is too heavy for the beach). Head to Camber Sands, mark out your wicket and start playing (www.eastsussex.gov.uk).

For the body beautiful

European Beach Volleyball Championships and English Masters 2009, Blackpool

From 10-13 September, Europe\'s top teams, including Olympic players, will treat the crowds to a thrilling series of matches. Music and dancers add to an infectious atmosphere where the emphasis is more on having fun than winning (www.beach-volleyball.co.uk).

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