| s are growing longer, the air and sea are warming | | | | near Caernarfon, provides courses in a wide range |
| up, swallows are frolicking in the sky, and the | | | | of watersports including dinghy sailing, canoeing, |
| countryside is teeming with life, having awoken | | | | powerboating and windsurfing. The Centre is close |
| from its long winter slumber. That can only mean | | | | to many top tourist attractions including |
| one thing... summer is on its way! | | | | Caernarfon Castle, Segontium, the Fun Centre and |
| If recent temperatures are any indication, it's | | | | Crug Farm Nurseries, where you can buy exotic |
| going to be a long and hot one. And the | | | | plants to take home with you as a permanent |
| mountains and coast of Snowdonia are where | | | | memento of your visit to Snowdonia. |
| you want to be during a hot summer, because | | | | 6. Capel Curig |
| our rivers, coastal waters and mountain lakes are | | | | At Plas y Brenin National Mountain Centre in Capel |
| where you'll find all the most fun ways of keeping | | | | Curig you can take part in a combination of |
| cool and refreshed when the sun is beating down. | | | | outdoor activities including orienteering, rock |
| From swimming and surfing to sailing and white | | | | climbing, hillwalking - and of course watersports, |
| water rafting, in Snowdonia you'll find a huge | | | | like kayaking and canoeing. The scenery here is |
| range of watersports suitable for all experience | | | | among Snowdonia's most dramatic, so make sure |
| levels. There are so many fantastic spots for | | | | you pack your camera! |
| watersports in Snowdonia, it would be impossible | | | | 7. Llanberis |
| to tell you about them all... so here's our top ten. | | | | Padarn Watersports Centre is set among the |
| 1. Bala | | | | beautiful countryside of Padarn Country Park, |
| Bala is home to the largest natural lake in Wales - | | | | Llanberis - one of Snowdonia's top activity |
| Llyn Tegid or Bala Lake - a fantastic spot for | | | | centres. Enjoy watersports like canoeing, kayaking |
| sailing, canoeing, fishing and windsurfing. You can | | | | and raft building, or take your own |
| hire equipment there or bring your own - pick up | | | | (non-motorised) boat onto Llyn Padarn Lake - |
| your boating and fishing permits from pay and | | | | permits are available from the warden's office. Or |
| display machines or from the warden's office. And | | | | if you want to enjoy the lake somewhat more |
| if any member of your party isn't too keen on | | | | effortlessly, take a cruise on the Snowdon Star |
| watersports, they can enjoy stunning views of | | | | and relax while you take in the beautiful views. |
| the lake from the comfort of the steam train | | | | 8. Pwllheli |
| that runs around it. | | | | Another town that's famous for its watersports, |
| 2. Tryweryn | | | | Pwllheli is home to Wales' largest and most |
| Not far from Bala is the National Whitewater | | | | modern marina, the 400-berth Hafan Pwllheli. Bring |
| Centre at Tryweryn, where you can take part in | | | | your own craft or go on one of the many |
| white-knuckle watersports like whitewater rafting | | | | organised boat trips; dolphin-watching tours are |
| and kayaking. Don't worry if it's your first time - | | | | very popular, as are fishing trips. Pwllheli is also a |
| the centre caters for visitors of all levels of | | | | popular family seaside resort, with wonderful |
| experience. | | | | sandy beaches, amusement arcades and a small |
| 3. Llyn Geirionydd | | | | funfair that will keep your little ones entertained |
| Llyn Geirionydd is one of a hundred mountain | | | | for hours. |
| lakes in Snowdonia... but it's the only lake in the | | | | 9. Tal-y-Llyn Lake |
| region to allow powerboats and water skiing. Set | | | | Set at the foot of Cader Idris in some of |
| in the beautiful Gwydyr Forest around Betws y | | | | Snowdonia's most spectacular countryside, |
| Coed and Llanrwst, Llyn Geirionydd is a popular | | | | Tal-y-Llyn Lake is a popular spot for fly fishing, |
| spot for watersports and, according to legend, it | | | | and home to salmon, sea trout and brown trout |
| was the home of the 6th century bard Taliesin. | | | | (Fly Fish Wales says the brown trout is "second |
| 4. Abersoch | | | | to none"). You can hire a boat and tackle - and |
| Abersoch is one of Snowdonia's most popular | | | | buy a permit - from Tynycornel Hotel on the |
| watersports destinations, and its beautiful sandy | | | | lake's shores. |
| beaches are perfect for surfing and windsurfing. | | | | 10. Aberdyfi |
| Abersoch has a harbour, a yacht club and a | | | | With its slipway, quay and huge Seaside |
| hovercraft centre, so the emphasis in Abersoch is | | | | Award-winning beach, Aberdyfi is popular for |
| very much on enjoying the sea. But it's also a | | | | sailing, sailboarding, rowing, canoeing, fishing, and |
| popular family seaside resort, with plenty of great | | | | surfing. Take a boat trip and enjoy the clear blue |
| shops, pubs and restaurants - and stunning | | | | waters of Cardigan Bay, or watch one of the |
| mountain views. | | | | many yachting regattas or other water-based |
| 5. Plas Menai | | | | events that take place every summer. |
| The National Watersports Centre at Plas Menai, | | | | |