|
A PARADISE FOR NAUTICAL SPORTS
The Mar Menor offers unbeatable conditions for all types of water
sport during all four seasons of the year. As a result of this
area being designated as an "Estacion Nautica" (National Nautical Resort) there has been a considerable improvement
in the quality of the facilities available, with training at all
levels, from initiation up to and including professional standard.
Throughout the length of La Manga there are ten teaching centres
(Escuelas de Vela) which means that no one need travel far to
practice the water sport of their choosing. All of the centres
offer the best and most up-to-date equipment with courses in sailing
and wind-surfing tutored by qualified instructors who normally
speak at least one language other than Spanish - normally English
and/or German. Many of these schools also offer courses in the
sailing of catamarans, canoeing, water-skiing, and most other
"nautical sports" including deep-sea diving. They are located
on the shores of the Mar Menor in ideal conditions, with additional
facilities such as board and boat storage, equipment rental, changing-rooms
and showers, classrooms plus the rental of beach beds and umbrellas
for those that just want to look on. Some of them also offer accommodation
and they all, without fail, have the necessary first-aid training
should this be needed.
In addition to these "schools" there are four marinas with all
of the services necessary to deal with both big and small boats
plus their respective crews.Given the temperature of the sea and
the shallow waters of the Mar Menor, it is an ideal place to learn
or improve the water sport of your choice, but for those of you
have mastered their craft, you have access to the Mediterranean
via the channel which joins the two seas, the "Canal del Estacio".
Anyone who feels confident enough to sail on the "high seas" can
leave the Mar Menor and spend the day visiting the various small
islands which are to be found off the coast - "Isla Grossa", "el
Farallón" or "las Islas Hormigas".
Swimming enthusiasts can always count on the waters of the Mar
Menor and the Mediterranean when it comes to practising their
favourite sport. The gentle climate keeps the waters at a reasonable
temperature all year round, and even with the prevailing winds
which the sailing fraternity like so much, one or other of the
beaches of La Manga will assure reasonably calm waters. On one
of her visits to the Mar Menor, the famous swimmer and actress,
Esther Williams, referred to it as "the biggest swimming pool in the world"!
Scuba and deep-sea diving have seen a considerable increase in
activity during the course of the past few years. The presence
of many underwater archaeological sites, sunken ships has turned
the area of La Manga and "Cabo de Palos" into one of the most
popular spots for divers from all over Spain. A visit to the "bajo
de Fuera" where can be found the remains of various vessels which
foundered while rounding the infamous "Cabo de Palos" en route
for Africa - "El Sirio", the "North American" or the "Minerva",
each offer the diver many hours of pleasure contemplating the
riches of the subterranean in this virtual paradise. The large
variety of underwater animals and plants can be seen clearly thanks
to the incredible visibility of these waters at all times of the
year. Diving clubs and schools exist both at Cabo de Palos and
in La Manga and these organise courses throughout the year with
daily trips by boat, while at the same time offering equipment
to rent for the newcomer if required.
Apart from the water sports, La Manga offers a great variety of
other activities. There are tennis clubs with courts open to the
public all year round, plus paddle tennis and squash in addition
to a roller-skating rink and full size go-kart track. The road
which runs through La Manga has been built to offer the cyclist
the safety of a "cycle-lane" and the absence of hills throughout
the "strip" (with the exception of that known as "Monte Blanco")
means that it is an ideal place for individuals, families, novices
and professionals to ride at their leisure!
The nearby "Sierra de Cartagena" which is alongside the preserved
area of the "Parque Natural de Calblanque" and overlooks the Mediterranean,
is an ideal location to go hill walking and rock climbing and
there are also many routes enjoyed by those who enjoy mountain
biking. The "La Manga Club" complex, owned and operated by P?
Ferries, offers excellent golfing facilities, plus tennis and
lawn green bowling. For the more adventurous there are specialist
clubs in the surrounding area which cater for mountain climbing,
hang-gliding and parachuting. There are also several stables located
in the countryside surrounding La Manga which offer lessons at
all levels. They also organise treks through the orange groves
and the mountains overlooking the Mediterranean to finish at the
deserted beaches of the area known as "Calblanque".
|
|
