Discover your inner athlete on a haven holiday

As the Olympics kick off in Beijing discover your inner athlete and try a new sport. This summer Haven Holidays have introduced even more sports and activities at their 35 holiday parks around the UK in a bid to encourage families to try something new.

Start the day with Wake and Shake ...a fun family activity to encourage even the teeniest sports person to stretch and tone. “It’s more fun than fitness,” says Jonathon Waldie, Sports and Leisure Manager at flagship park Primrose Valley on the Yorkshire coast. But with Frisbees, mini-trampolines, space-hoppers and hula hoops it encourages children to jump up and start moving.

This year the sport that’s really hitting the target is archery. “Demand is so great we’re having to add in extra sessions,” said Jonathon. “Last week alone 200 people took part in archery lessons at Primrose Valley and it’s proving just as popular at all the other Haven parks!”

Close runner up is fencing – which has been an Olympic sport since 1896 and is one of only four sports that has featured at every modern Olympic Games. It appeals to all ages and both sexes and with Haven providing all the equipment as well as instruction it’s a great introduction to the sport.

Biggest surprise this year is the number of children taking part in Basketball coaching in preference to football – Primrose Valley has seen almost double the number choosing basketball. “Football is still popular but basketball has really bounced up in popularity,” said Jonathon. “It’s great fun and a bit different.”

Swimming remains one of the most popular activities at all Haven parks. But if your kids can’t swim Haven are happy to come to the rescue.

Haven estimate that over the last four years their Learn2Swim sessions have helped teach almost 100,000 children how to swim. The lessons are endorsed by the Swimming Teachers Association and are graded from complete beginners to competent swimmers who need to improve style and technique. “All our parks have swimming pools and most are close to beaches,” say Haven. “We believe it’s really important that every child should be competent in the water. We offer serious lessons in a fun environment, rewarded by certificates at each level. Each year we see even more children successfully taking part.”

Other sports on offer at various Haven parks include tennis, golf, pilates, bowling, fishing and horse-riding. And if you’re exhausted by all the extra activity and want to sit back and watch someone else exerting themselves, highlights of the Olympics can be seen on super-sized screens at all the parks.

Price for seven nights from August 16th in a 2 bedroom self-catering holiday home for a family of four at Primrose Valley starts at £579. Reighton Sands in North Yorkshire and The Orchards near Clacton on Sea are both offering similar accommodation from £499. Check Haven.com for immediate bookings and details of other special offers.