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Portland provides a wide range of sporting opportunities, from sailing to bird watching and every conceivable activity in between.
Portland Harbour is recognised as the UK's premier sailing and windsurfing location with good wind and water for all levels of experience. Several National and International events are held here on a regular basis, and the Royal Yachting Association is building it's "Centre of Excellence" on the Osprey Quay site. This centre will train Britain's future Olympic stars.
The waters off Chesil Beach provide excellent angling and diving opportunities, with regular angling competitions, and numerous wrecks on which to dive. The rocky cliffs of Portland are visited by up to three hundred climbers each weekend and their lofty platforms are occasional launch pads for hang gliding.
Walkers and riders are rewarded with spectacular views. Walks are graded from very easy to challenging and guide leaflets are available to ensure no point of interest is missed. Views of the Jurassic Coast are visible and on very clear days the high points of the Isle of Wight can be seen breaking the Eastern horizon.
The Island has it's own Soccer club, Portland United, known as "The Blues" and many pubs have teams in the local leagues.
"Twitchers" arrive in their hundreds to study rare birds blown in on the Sou' Westerlies and an observatory is housed in the old Lower Lighthouse on the Southern side of the Island.
Clubs also provide facilities to pursue the traditional sports such as Cricket, Badminton, Tennis, Bowls, Snooker, Darts, Skittles etc. The main clubs are listed below and suppliers of the necessary equipment are listed in the "Business Directory".
Whatever your preference Portland has something for you.
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