WATER SPORTS
Paddle Boarding (SUP)
Anybody visiting the coast in recent years will have noticed the massive growth in paddleboarders and boarding. Inflatable boards have opened up the market to so many more people, and the gentle sounds of pumping air early in the mornings around Torbay are nothing new now. The protected shores from southwesterly winds and shallow sands make Torquay and Torbay ideal places to board. Check out the beaches.
Open water swimming
There is nothing new here. People have been swimming in the Blue Flag seas for years around Torbay. However, there has been an increasing swimming trend, especially early mornings and those retired few who enjoy the camaraderie of others as clubs and groups of friends descend on Meadfoot, Abbey Sands, Preston, and Paignton beaches throughout the whole year. This was unheard of in the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s! If you want to know more about outdoor swimming, check out this site.
Kayaking
Kayaking comes in various guises, such as sit on and sit in. Again, Torquay and Torbay are perfect for this type of activity. It is generally unsuitable only when there is a very southwesterly or an easterly gale. So venturing around Hopes Nose or Berry Head can be achieved by most kayakers, but for novices, there is plenty of scope and lots of places to hire kayaks if you don't already have one. There are plenty of places to fish and much wildlife to see as well.
Sailing
Sailing may seem a little "old hat" these days, but it is still incredibly popular. There are several sailing clubs around the bay in Brixham, Paignton, Torquay, and Babbacombe. A number of heritage vessels, such as Vigilance of Brixham, are also moored in the bay. The Disabled Sailing Association, based in Torquay, is also a brilliant, award-winning non-profit service. If you are looking for competition events, visit the RYA club website in Torquay.
Surfing
Surfing is possible, but you will need to wait for a strong easterly wind to bring the big waves into Torbay. If that does happen, and it's a few times per year, then there are some decent beaches, such as Paignton, to the right and left side of the pier, that are worth testing. Video here. However, it's fair to say that unlike North Devon and the Atlantic coast, we offer a much more leisurely and safer experience for families covering many water sports.
Wind surfing & Kiteboarding
Getting more physical, Torbay can get windy, but relatively calm and hence a haven for this activity and perfect if you are learning.
Like all other sports, the beaches in the centre of the bay offer the best opportunities. They are more exposed and have a greater reach on the prevailing winds, so head for Preston and Paignton beaches for the greatest run north and south.
Sea Angling
Fishing, by any other name, is still a popular sport. Boats can be hired out of all harbours to take you deep sea or offshore, and this offers bigger catches of pollack, bass, flatfish, conger, ling, and even Tuna and sharks.
Inshore, there are plenty of marks for bass, mackerel, smaller pollack, wrasse, etc. Hopes Nose, Berry Head, Torquay Pier, beaches at dawn and dusk and further afield, the Teign and Dart rivers offer more opportunity.
Water Skiing and Jet skis
Water skiing seems to have been supplanted in volume by jet skiers. Elberry Cove towards Brixham is still popular in the summer with water skiers. Jet skis have had a bad rap (often understandably), and they are being pushed offshore to avoid swimmers and create a disturbance to beachgoers. They can be hired in Torquay Harbour or launched there and in other parts of the bay, but please stay a considerable way offshore and do not hound the wildlife.
Scuba diving & Snorkeling
As you can imagine, this activity is best undertaken in clear water and, hence, after a period of calm weather. The bay is not a deep water location and most coastal areas are shallow. The Churston to Brixham end of Torbay and Meadfoot beach to Ansteys Cove (Video) tend to be more popular, being rockier and weedier. The shallows up to 20-30 meters out from the shore often have visibility, but snorkel on an outgoing tide as it takes away the tiny floating sand particles, making the water clearer.
