This relatively new sport has become one of the most popular racquet games in Spain and the craze is spreading across Europe. A paddle (pádel' in Spanish) court is smaller than a tennis court, with simpler line markings. It has high surrounding walls of glass and/or solid construction.
Sevilla Fútbol Club was started first out of the city's two football clubs - officially in 1905, but the earliest football match took place in the city earlier, in 1890, against the newly-founded Huelva Club Deportivo. This club was started by British Rio Tinto mineworkers who brought the game to Spain, along with British sailorsn and Spanish students returning from Britain, where the first clubs had been established in the 1850s. Its name, Sevilla FC (Fútbol Club, rather than CF - Club de Futbol) reflects its British origins.
Granada Club de Fútbol, formerly known as Recreativo de Granada, is a Spanish football club based in Granada city. Founded in April 1931, their first president was Julio López Fernández. In the season of 1941-42, Granada became the third Andalucian football team (after Sevilla and Real Betis) to compete in La Liga (Spanish first division). Their home matches are played at Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes, which seats up to 22, 500 spectators.
La Liga Football is a favourite spectator sport in Andalucia amongst a huge number of British and Spanish like. The foreign influence has increased the popularity of football over the years and there are usually local matches, where you can support or even join the team.
Andalucia with summer sunshine and mild winters is one of the best destinations in the world for sports and outdoor activities.
Cycling is a popular sport in Andalucia and it is not uncommon to see groups of cyclists out enjoying a weekend morning together as they tour the countryside. Equally in the last few years the number of cyclists in the cities and towns has increased, and so has the km-s of cycle lanes. Seville being a prime example.
The history of windsurfing is short. Apparently, in 1967 a Californian called Hoyle Schwritzer fixed a sail on his surfboard so he could keep moving when there weren't any waves. Today, there are national and international championships, including several regularly held in Tarifa in Cádiz province like the Ballantine's Championship and the Toro Andaluz race which takes place during Semana Santa (Easter Week), which is when the windsurfing season really takes off.
Andalucía is a mecca for water sports, thanks to the proximity of the coastlines, as well as the numerous lakes and reservoirs. The most popular sports include sailing, windsurfing, water-skiing, jet-skiing, surfing and sub-aquatic sports. There are clubs for most water sports in all major Costa resorts and instruction is generally available.
Waterskiing is a water-sport that suits all ages. Some other sports, such as wakeboarding and surfing, can sometimes seem a little intimidating to the uninitiated, whereas waterskiing has many facets and can be enjoyed by the whole family.
Wakeboarding is said to be the fastest growing water sport in the world. Practiced on lakes or the sea, it's like a combination of snowboarding, waterskiing and skateboarding or a cross between mono skiing and surfing. Although it may contain an essence of all these activities, wakeboarding is most definitely a water sport in its own right.
Although windsurfing tends to be better known on the Costa coastline – most famously in Tarifa - surfboarding is also enjoyed by many, particularly in the Autumn and Spring. On the Costa del Sol, the beaches around Estepona are particularly popular. However, it is the Costa de la Luz, between Tarifa and Cádiz, which has the best and most consistent good waves for surfing.
Snorkelling is something that pretty well anyone who can swim can do, with the minimum of equipment - basically, it's a snorkel, facemask and flippers and away you go. The relatively calm seas and gentle tides provide a perfect environment for face-down fun.
Kitesurfing is an extreme sport which involves racing over water on a surfboard pulled by a kite. Experts can achieve speeds of 80km per hour and leap into the air to perform somersaults and manoeuvres up to 40m above the water's surface.
There are more gyms and fitness centres in Andalucía than ever before. Whereas in the early 1980s you’d have been pushed to find the odd male-dominated weights room, there are now many centres.
There are only a few quality lawn bowling clubs in Andalucia. Lawn bowling is a popular sport amongst the international community on the Costa del Sol where most of the clubs are situated.
Bossaball is a relatively new sports game that has come to Andalucía. It is played along the beaches of Andalucía. Taking its name from the bossa nova rhythms that often accompany games, it is a spectacular ball game between two teams of three-five people, played on a court made up of trampolines and protective inflatables divided by a net.
By its very nature, rowing is an inland waterway sport and is immensely popular along the River Guadalquivir, especially in Córdoba and Sevilla, where major international competitions and training camps are often held. It is mainly practised on straight, wide, flat (calm, smooth) stretches of water, hence the popularity of the Guadalquivir.
For a country whose border is largely shored up by water, Spain is a relative latecomer to the sport of boating. Particularly in Andalucía, the sea was, to a great extent, the province of working fishermen. The feudal economy which marks Spain's largest autonomous region has a history of land-locked pursuits, such as hunting and horse riding.
There can be few better ways to appreciate the sheer beauty of the Andalusian countryside than from a hot air balloon. Combine this bird's eye view with the tranquility and peace derived from being high above humanity - with just the clouds for company - and it is not difficult to see the appeal of the sport.
