Setting The Golden Standard  

Follow in the footsteps of Olympic Gold Medallists at Calshot Activities Centre

With Olympic fever sweeping the nation, Calshot Activities Centre in Fawley is inviting people to sample the thrill of its very own velodrome, where visitors have included Team GB’s cycling gold medal winners Dani King, Joanna Rowsell and Geraint Thomas, as well as triathlon winners Alistair and Jonny Brownlee, all on their path to 2012 glory.

Calshot, run by Hampshire County Council, is one of the largest Outdoor Adventure Centres in Britain, and since Team GB’s Olympic success, Calshot has been inundated with enquiries.

Track-Cycling has had the greatest interest, and extra courses have now been created to meet the huge demand. With the only indoor-banked velodrome in the South of England, Calshot offers visitors the chance to try something new and experience this exciting form of cycling.

Mark Adams, British Cycling's Regional Development Manager said: "Calshot has played a significant part in helping up-and-coming riders to gain access to time on the track, being the only indoor track in the South. Prior to the Newport track, it was only Manchester and Calshot. Well done Calshot!"

Over the years, other Olympic medallists have also trained or visited at the site, including cyclists Victoria Pendelton and Jamie Staff, sailor Sarah Ayton, windsurfer Nick Dempsey and 400 metre runner Iwan Thomas.

The centre opened in 1964 and offers an unrivalled number of exciting water and land-based sports and activities, for all ages and abilities.

Its historic hangars accommodate not just the velodrome, but a state-of-the-art climbing complex with over 1,200 square metres of climbing wall, as well as a dry ski slope.

The centre provides courses and personal tuition in a wide range of Olympic sports, including dinghy sailing, canoeing, track cycling, shooting, archery and windsurfing. It also hosts skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing and kayaking.

The custom built facility is currently used by Hampshire schools and young people for education purposes, as well as Hampshire residents of all ages, for recreational and professional sports.

Calshot even offers adventure holidays for children, giving them the opportunity to try their hand at all the sports available whilst staying on site.

For more information visit Calshot Activities Centre or call 02380 892077.