Long Course Weekend

Well what a weekend. The pretty harbour, cobbled streets and friendly atmosphere of Tenby really did prove to be a fantastic host to Activity Wales Events Long Course Weekend.

The three day endurance triathlon held between the 24th and 26th September brought an abundance of athletes, their families and friends to come together and enjoy the very best of what Pembrokeshire has to offer. The electric atmosphere over the weekend was thanks to all of the enthusiastic locals who spent hours cheering and clapping the athletes as they past through small villages, tackled hills and flew over the finish line.


The Long Course Weekend consisted of three separate events; The Wales Swim (1.5 or 3km), The Wales Sportive (40, 80 or 120 mile) and The Wales Marathon (half or full). Participants were free to tackle whichever event and distance they wanted to tackle, with the exception of 40 brave triathletes who embraced the challenge of completing the full Long Course jigsaw of 3km swim, 120 mile bike and full marathon.



Out of the 40 Long Course athletes first entered, only a defiant bunch of 16 finally finished.

Oliver Simon was crowned King of the Long Course finishing with a commendable time of 9 hours and 53 minutes!


The Long Course Weekend was truly a magnificent spectacle to witness and is sure to be again when it hits Pembrokeshire in June 2011. Bordered by the sea, Pembrokeshire excelled as a host to the newest and most demanding triathlon to hit the UK, which is why it is now to become the county to welcome IronMan Wales in 2011!

Activity Wales Events consider it a massive honour to have contributed to putting IronMan Wales on the calender, with the date scheduled for Sunday 11th September 2011. Athletes can expect to be welcomed into Pembrokeshire with open arms, and whilst visiting embrace the outstanding beauty of our Pembrokeshire Coastal National Park, stunning scenery, sandy beaches and iconic landmarks.

To begin the 3.8k swim at Tenby's South beach, with the challenging 180k bike ride to follow and finishing with a triumphant 42k marathon. This is one marvel not to be missed.

For full information and registrations (only for the brave!) visit http://www.ironmanwales.com/.

The Royal Welsh Show 2010

I am a huge fan of visiting the Royal Welsh Show, but it would seem that I haven't been for a few years. So this year when I was given the chance to exhibit with Activity Wales and Coastal Cottages of Pembrokeshire I jumped at the chance.


There is always such a 'nice' feeling about The Royal Welsh, it maybe because it has been held at Llanelwedd since 1963 and so the superb organisation and layout has been practiced time and time again, that the many dedicated helpers could now arrange the festivities with their eyes closed.


Activity Wales and Coastal Cottages of Pembrokeshire were one of the 1000 trade stands to attend the show which is held over four days, where the figure of 177,000 presented itself as the number of visitors to attend the bustling event and it's full programme of entertainment over the four days.


I love getting involved and being part of the team representing the company that I enjoy working for everyday, it allows me to meet people who love and admire Pembrokeshire and Wales as a whole as much as I do. With The Royal Welsh Show being set in the heart of the Mid Wales Countryside, it is not surprising that you get to feel so very proud of your Welsh roots.


Even the drive from Pembrokeshire to Builth Wells is something amazing to admire, the rolling countryside, magnificent views across the valleys, the fresh mountain air and the winding roads. It really does offer some wonderful sights during the journey that makes it feel as though it has only taken a mere five minutes to get there.

I know that I have driven or been passenger to those roads a handful of times before but it seems that there is always something else to catch my eye or things that I notice hidden amongst the hills that I don't recall ever seeing before. You can certainly understand why so many revel in the opportunity to take their motorbikes for a spin around those mountains to Llandovery and beyond, it is amazingly picturesque.


The four days proved well worth the visit as many popped in to our candy striped marquee to spark conversation on Pembrokeshire and beyond. Some had sadly never been to our hidden gem on the South West Wales coast before, but there were so many who return to Pembrokeshire for their holidays annually and have done so for many many years before.


I couldn't believe that 3292 horse and ponies were entered at this years Royal Welsh with 529 of my favourite, the stunning animal which is the supreme Welsh Cob. They are such a powerful and vibrant breed, I admire and uphold their almighty presence.


A little piece of smart advice would be to pencil in the 18-21st July for The Royal Welsh Show 2011 and embrace the fabulous welsh culture in which it captures year after year. Hopefully I'll see you there!

Mumbles Triathlon

Mumbles Triathlon went off with a bang. What a fantastic weekend and even the sunny weather we ordered turned up without fail.

Watching the sunrise at 5am over the Mumbles coastline made getting up at stupid o'clock well worth it. It was such a fantastic morning, the sea was calm, the sky blue and the sun was peeping from behind the ragged rocks. It was just the most perfect and unspoilt setting for all of the athletes arriving bright eyed and bushy tailed ready to face their tri.

It was the making for a simply perfect day.

Registration on the sun deck of Mumbles Yacht Club went down a storm on the Friday evening, with a great turn out for the pasta party! It was great to make the most of the evening and ensure that everyone admired the fantastic view across the bay.

For someone who really enjoys meeting people and chatting their ear off, I found the registration process perfect for me. Even though it only lasted a few minutes I was truly in my element!
It was great to meet all of the athletes, have a chat and then watch them cross over the finish line on Saturday morning and give them all a great big smile and well done. A sweaty hug was out of the question...

For me watching the swim was absolutely amazing. From the pier you had a great view across the water and saw the mass, deep water start in all it's glory. It was something else...almost like a giant washing machine churning constantly. Fair play to the two swimmers that powered ahead, the early lead was immense.

It's funny isn't it, this may just be me but boy did I want to jump in and join everybody. It was so inspiring to watch everybody mingling and having a ball. They truly looked like they were having so much fun.

I really enjoyed my time in Mumbles and I am 100% confident to say that everybody else did too. I simply cannot wait until next year...

...HAHA, but maybe I don't!

For it's very first year, September 2010 brings The Long Course Weekend to Tenby, Pembrokeshire. It is set to be the most exciting and new triathlon event to come to the UK since Ironman. The major difference of The Long Course being, instead of 17 hours straight the triathlon is being stage over three days...The Wales Swim, The Wales Sportive and finishing with The Wales Marathon.

Think your tough enough? Go in give it a go!

For registration and full information visit http://www.activitywalesevents.com/ or give a representative a call on 01437 766 888.

I'm walking on sunshine...

Well what a terrific weekend. The sun has arrived and I love it...

I am officially a sun worshiper, some might say a little too much sometimes but something smiles inside of me when the sky is blue and the sun is out saying hello.
I spent the whole weekend with my fiance out on the boat, exploring our beautiful Pembrokeshire coastline. For something different we decided to take a spin out towards Skomer Island and the sea was pretty calm really, I suppose there wasn't much of a wind on Saturday. Normally when you pass St Ann's Head the air changes and the sea gets a little choppier as you officially head out to sea but it was fairly inviting.
I do love watching all the birds bobbing up and down riding the waves they look so at home. My mum loves Puffins and boy was there an abundance of them soaking up the sun over the weekend. It was like they had all decided to meet at this one cove as there was an army of them bobbing altogether in this one spot. I still can't really get over how small and adorable they are, I think their rainbow coloured beaks make them exceed the 'cute' factor!
After Skomer we tootled over to Broad Haven and it was lovely to see all the children splashing around at the waters edge, people enjoying the picnics and soaking up the sun.
We then spent the rest of Saturday and all day Sunday enjoying the peaceful setting of Watick Bay, which is a little bay set around the corner from Dale. It is one little hot spot and the water is so clear.

We are definitely wanting to make the most of this gorgeous weather and so hoping to head out again today after work and head down towards Lawrenny. May even treat ourselves to a bar snack!

It is surprising how quick May is whizzing past actually before we know it our Activity Wales Events team will be heading down to Mumbles to launch the Mumbles Triathlon on Saturday 26th June. That is going to be a terrific day, a great setting with friendly people and a challenge for all who has entered. It is amazing the registrations that have flooded in, people are going crazy for this triathlon though spaces are limited.
If anyone is interested, the Mumbles Tri offers competitors a choice between two distances:

Long Sprint 750m open water swim - 32k bike - 5 k (2 laps) run
Short Sprint 750m open water swim - 21k bike - 2.5k run

For further information and for quick registration call a member of our Activity Wales team on 01437 766 888.

Happy sunbathing and long may it continue!

Walking Wales - Pembrokehire Dawn Walk returns

Since I completed the Pembrokeshire Dawn Walk with my dad last year, I haven't stopped walking since.

I didn't realise how quick this years walk was going to come around, it is this coming Sunday 16th May. Last year, we were a little unfortunate with the weather...my mum, my dad and I were sat around the kitchen table nibbling on our toast as the wind and rain battered against the back door. It was then I decided to slip on my waterproofs. This year though I feel the sun is going to shine!

The Pembrokeshire Dawn Walk on Sunday 16th May is to raise funds for McMillan Cancer Support, with walkers setting off at dawn along a scenic route of 26 miles from Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest and finishing at Cresselly Cricket Club in time for the well earned party and celebrations!

So this coming Saturday evening will see my mum and I having a generous helping of pasta for tea followed by us kicking back on the sofa watching Britain's Got Talent conserving all our energy for the early start on Sunday.

Back pack, plasters, a bottle of water and I am ready to go...

Just quickly, I wanted to touch on a walking event between the 29th May and 11th June in Pembrokeshire. Coast Path Walk 2010 is an extra special 14 day walk along the full length of the beautiful Pembrokeshire Coast Path - booking is essential.

For further information and booking, call 0845 345 7275.

Let's Walk on Water!

This Easter Heatherton Country Sports Park launched their human hamster ball water activity 'Walk on Water'.

Heatherton's Walk on Water inspiration came from Blue Peter's fun and fitness on water and the ball to bring it to Pembrokeshire has been rolling ever since! Jumping inside the large 6ft inflatable, transparent, plastic human hamster ball offers everyone great fun and has been created for all walks of life to have a go at running, rolling, flipping and spinning on water without any need for your trunks!

Nobody now needs to acquire a miracle to walk on water - just holiday to Pembrokeshire!

For more information and booking, please give a member of our Activity Wales team a call on 01437 766 888 or e-mail info@activitywales.com.

Rosie's on her way home!

Rosie has finished her last but one marathon in Llanelli today! Well done to all the guys in llanelli for looking after Rosie after 26 marathons!!

So Marathon 27 tomorrow...The last one back home on The Wales Marathon Course. Rosie aims to start from Tudor Square at 9 am and anticipates finishing around 6pm, once again back in the square.

If you are in the area and want to run with Rosie please feel free to drop the office a line and we'll tell you where she is! Or simply come into the square and be part of the party atmosphere to cheer Rosie in!