According to my mother, beach volleyball is just an excuse for boys to watch girls in bikinis…read morejumping up and down. Now I've watched the games in action at Manly Beach, and the level of fitness and prowess of the girls makes them well worthy of watching ... regardless of the fact that most do look deservedly good in their bikinis. May I say that the men playing also generally look pretty fin, and more to my taste. All that jumping up and down on the sand is certainly good for something. NBVA operates a number of volleyball courts on the beach and they're almost always well used. Social players cant rent the courts or join playing groups, or there are more formal programs including lessons and competitions. During the summer there are teens programs too, and kids have progressed from here to higher levels of competition in the sport around the country. It's all huge fun, quite difficult, but a great way to keep fit in an incredibly beautiful setting, with the perfect excuse to wash off in the sea afterwards. Just don't tell where you find the sand in the shower later on ...

My family was connected with Wakehurst Football Club from 1970 - 1975. We lived in Frenchs Forest…read more Our eldest son Hans, who played in a Wakehurst junior team asked me if I could be a coach for them and I did that. A year later I was asked to coach the senior team, and I took that on. Not long after I was playing for the senior team, enjoyed it very much. But that was 40 years ago. We left for Lismore in 1975 and came back to Sydney in 1999, played tennis then in Frenchs Forest, later moved to Pearl Beach. I now have a grandson, aged 20 who is a very keen soccer player and looking for a club. He is a student at Macquarie University, has come back from Manila not long ago where he played first division. Who should he contact if he could play for Wakehurst? Klaas Woldring woldring@zipworld.com.au Ph 4341 5170 Mob 04078 34518

Home of the mighty Wakehurst Tigers, Wakehurst FC (Football Club) is the largest amateur soccer…read moreteam on Sydney's Northern Beaches. The sheer size of the club means more and better resources, plus more opportunity to play at the exact level for you or your child. However, the size of the club doesn't mean an impersonalised experience - as anyone who has interacted with the club would know, its management and board are friendly and accommodating souls. My entire family has, at one stage or another, played football for Wakehurst and proudly worn the orange and black stripes. It's a very family-orinted club, with parents on the sidelines no matter the age that you're watching. It also retains focus on the local area - sponsors are Belrose businesses that enjoy a mutually beneficial relationship with the mighty tigers. The club has all ages - from under fives to AL (Amateur League, meaning over 21) to over 45's. There is an opportunity to play at all levels, from the very good under 21 1's, to the very average. Women's and men's soccer is equally prioritised and given a fair go. Equipment and resources are all good, as are the costs of playing - definitely not prohibitive. Get out there and boot the ball around!

Absolutely amazing experience, and I don't think I would've had as good a time without our…read moreinstructor, Nick. It was a group of 4 students to 1 instructor. If you've read my other reviews, you'd know Hubby and I have had more than the average number of lessons, and we do go out on our own at home in San Diego, but we'd like to get a lesson at any new beach when available. And thank GOODNESS we did here on this particular day. The other two students both have surfed only once with a lesson before, and it seemed everyone loved the experience. Nick took the time to understand our abilities first, then assessed the surf and decided on the best spot for the easiest time paddling out. A bit of a work out just carrying the boards a good quarter mile down the beach. It was incredibly choppy that day, so he instructed us to paddle out right in the riptide, then cut across the sand bank to the line up. It all worked out beautifully, and I got some amazing waves with Nick giving me a push and telling me exactly when to pop up, even rode in on the super intimidating overhead ones I normally probably would be too scared to try. However, when I took a break on the beach, the second time paddling out was exponentially more difficult. Nick was able to push my board, with me on it, past these crazy waves, because I was about to turn around and give up. Another student had an emergency, and he was able to go help her, then come back and continue to push me past the breaking waves, so that I could get one more ride back to shore. I absolutely trust him to keep everyone safe and still make sure each person have a great time. Overall, probably top 2-3 surfing lesson across the 20+ we've had! Equipment was fairly new and in good shape. Changing facilities were basic but serviceable.

Believe the hype. Group lesson, $70, just book online or give them a call. It's super easy to…read morefind because it's in the basement of the permanent looking shack in the middle of the beach with bathrooms and changing rooms. They set you up with a wetsuit and board, and take you out for two hours. Our instructor Nick was remarkably enthusiastic cheering "woohoo" as people made it up on the board on our first day. Would definitely do another lesson if I am back in town. Oh right! Manly is super easy to get to. You just take the ferry (every 10-20 minutes) from Circular Quay by the opera house then walk ten minutes north east to manly beach from the ferry terminal at Manly.