Isle of Wight Council Sports Development Unit

Island Gig Rowing Club invites you to try ‘Gig Rowing’.

This Open Day on Saturday, 22 August, is to give the local community the chance to discover this exciting and sociable sport.

No experience is needed, just come along and take part in a taster session. Visitors will learn what gig rowing is all about, discover where we row, meet club members, and find out how rowing can support fitness, wellbeing, and an active lifestyle.

The open day will also showcase the social side of gig rowing, with opportunities to make new friends, enjoy time on the water, and try something different.

To find out more or to book your taster session, please email:
[email protected]

For all you runners, Sophie's story will inspire and motivate. Check it out at the Isle of Wight Literary Festival this summer.

Sophie Raworth is best known as the face of the BBC's flagship 6pm and 10pm news bulletins, bringing us all the headlines from across Britain and around the world.
She has been on TV for more than 30 years, covering some of the most significant events in modern history and interviewing some of the most
important global figures of our times.
But there is another side to Sophie’s life that was unexpected.
At the age of 40, Sophie had assumed she was too old to run marathons. She’d done little exercise for much of her adult life. But, after watching a friend run the London Marathon, she decided to give it a go. Her first one in 2011 was a disaster. She collapsed two miles from the finish line. But she picked herself up and kept going
on a path that would take her to races and on adventures all over the world.
Her new book Running on Air reveals how running has helped her deal with
some of the toughest challenges, both at work and in life.
Readers will be lacing up their trainers and heading out the door!
Tickets for this year's Isle of Wight Literary Festival will be on sale in August but you can go to isleofwightliteraryfestival.co.uk to find out more.

When participating in sport and physical activity during this heat wave, make sure you stay hydrated, take regular breaks in the shade, but also consider if it's really the right time to play 🌞🥵

Heat Health Alert: listen to your body and don’t push beyond your limits in the heat ⚠️

Anyone taking part in sports or outdoor activity should be aware that the Met Office has issued an Amber Heat Health Alert for the South East, including the Isle of Wight, from 11am Monday 22 June to 11.59pm on Thursday 25 June.

In addition, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a Red Heat-Health Alert for the region from 1am Wednesday 24 June to 11pm Thursday 25 June.

🔴 Red alerts are severe. If you’re taking part in sporting activities at private clubs, gyms, or outdoors, please take extra care during this period:

Avoid training or competing between 11am and 3pm when the sun is at its hottest – reschedule where possible ⛅

Use shaded areas and take frequent breaks 🌳

Wear a hat, sunscreen, and light, loose-fitting clothing 🧢

Avoid high-intensity or strenuous activity during peak heat⚠️

Drink plenty of cool fluids before, during, and after activity 💧

Skip alcohol, caffeine, and hot drinks 🚫

Cool down with showers or cold towels after exercise 🚿

Keep indoor spaces as cool as possible (close curtains/windows on sunny sides) 🏠

Look out for teammates, especially those more vulnerable to heat 👥

Be aware of heat exhaustion and heatstroke symptoms and act quickly: https://ow.ly/sUEE50ZfNLx

Also remember that hot weather can make cold water tempting, but cold water shock can happen instantly – even on very warm days: https://ow.ly/8zNY50ZfNLw

Cowes Sports FC are looking to recuit players to their U18's side ahead of next season ⚽
If you or someone you know is a keen player looking for a new challenge, check the details below. 👇

🚨 COWES SPORTS UNDER 18’S 🚨

We are on the lookout for some new players to join our U18’s side for the coming season. Age ranges 15-18, if this is something of interest to you or your child, please contact us regarding your interest!

Training dates are to follow, we look forward to hearing from you!💙

⛵️🔵⚪️

We're looking forward to a weekend of Rugby and Football at Medina and Seaclose. 🏉⚽

Both events have put measures in place to support residents and visitors however parking on site is limited. For anyone planning to come along and support our local teams please consider parking off site to help ease congestion.

📢 Parking at 1Leisure Medina 2–4 May 2026 🚗

Over the Bank Holiday weekend, parking at 1Leisure Medina may be limited at times due to sports events taking place in and around the site.

Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd May
⚽ SCI Football Tournament – Seaclose Park

🏉 Tour International Rugby Tournament – Medina College playing fields (behind the leisure centre)

While parking arrangements are in place for both events, there may still be an impact on space availability for leisure centre users throughout the weekend.

✅ Please note: 1Leisure Medina will be open as usual, with all activities running to the normal timetable.

We appreciate your understanding and patience, and we wish all the teams competing the very best of luck!

Have a fantastic Bank Holiday weekend 🎉🌞

John Cattle's Skate Club are on the lookout for a new skate coach to join their amazing team, if you, or someone you know would be interested check the details below 👇🛹

WE'RE STILL ON THE LOOK OUT FOR A NEW SKATE COACH.
We've had some great people show an interest but aren't old enough or don't drive. So could it be for you?

This role would be to primarily deliver skateboarding in schools, after school hours so generally 3-4pm. But additional hours are likely to cover leave and other projects, evenings and weekends.

👉🏼 18+ YRS
👉🏼 MUST HAVE OWN TRANSPORT
👉🏼 MUST BE RELIABLE
👉🏼 MUST BE CONFIDENT TALKING TO TEACHERS/PARENTS
👉🏼 MUST LIKE WORKING WITH CHILDREN
👉🏼 MUST BE WILLING TO WORK TO OUR HIGH STANDARDS
👉🏼 MUST BE RAD

This work is on a self employed basis. Starting at £20 per hour.

Full training will be given, DBS & Safeguarding Checks apply.

If you would like to express an interest in the job then please email [email protected] giving information about yourself, why you'd like to work with us, and any experience that you think may be relevant.