Physical Activity |
Bowls 1 To find out more about this Group, Email What we do:
The Monday PM Short Mat Bowls Group meets for 2 hours on a Monday afternoon, and is for both experienced and new bowlers. We always play for fun and friendship, and do not compete in part of a bowling league. We have good quality bowls for players to borrow in the session, although many members have their own bowls. Players need to wear completely flat shoes or slippers (no heel or pattern on sole) to preserve the mats. We will help new bowlers learn the basic rules quickly and after a practice they can join in their first “end” with other members. We are a friendly and convivial group, and everyone works as a team and helps with the setting up before and tidying up after the sessions, in the true spirit of the U3A. Members pay £1.00 per session to include refreshments. We currently have a short waiting list, but if anyone would like their name added to the list, please e-mail as above. Meeting Area: West Cross Meeting Day: Mondays PM Bowls 2 To find out more about this Group, Email What we do
We meet to play bowls for 2 hours with a break for refreshment and announcements at about 11 o’clock. We do not play in a league so there is no pressure on anyone. We play simply for enjoyment, friendship and pleasure and it helps to keep us young, fit and healthy. We have had another successful year. Our current membership is 28. 14 to 23 members attend each week with an average attendance of 17. We enjoy an Annual Lunch usually at The Gower Golf Club during March. 24 to 30 people attend. The food, venue and company are excellent. We currently have a waiting list but if anyone would like their name added to the list, please e-mail as above. Meeting Area: West Cross Meeting Day: Tuesdays AM Bowls 3 To find out more about this Group, Email
What we do
The Wednesday Bowls Group is for both experienced and new bowlers. We have good quality bowls for players to borrow in the session and many members have their own bowls. Players need to wear completely flat shoes or slippers (no heel or pattern on sole) to preserve the mats. We will help new bowlers learn the basic rules quickly and after a practice they can join in their first “end” with other members. Members pay £1.00 per session Everyone works as a team and helps with the setting up before and tidying up after the sessions, in the true spirit of U3A. We do have places available should anyone wish to join us Please contact the convenor, using the email link above, to join a waiting list. Meeting Area: West Cross Meeting Day: Wednesday PM Cycling To find out more about this Group, Email What we do
We will be going on cycle rides with plenty of coffee, lunch and tea stops. The rides will be selected without huge hills and will allow cyclists to join in and leave at different stages. We will try to cycle on cycle tracks and paths and keep road use to a minimum. All you will need to bring will be a roadworthy bike, any sort will do, some money and clothing suitable for the purpose. A puncture kit. a few tools and a small first aid kit would be good. A small rucksack with everything in will be needed unless you have a shopping or delivery bike with a basket. Meeting Area: Various Meeting Day: Mondays Dance - Improvers Group To find out more about this Group, Email What we do:
Dance - Social Group To find out more about this Group, Email What we do: Enjoy a morning of mixed dancing and great company with lots of chat over a coffee or tea and a biscuits. We provide ballroom, sequence, and jive dance opportunities with informal teaching from other friendly members. Medical research has shown that dancing is a good activity to help keep your body and mind active so what's stopping you. Meeting Area: Swansea Centre Meeting Day: Monday AM Laughter Yoga Group What we do: Laughter Yoga was developed by a Doctor in India in 1995. He realised that it helps lift your mood, reduces stress, strengthens your immune system, increases energy levels and improves your quality of life. It involves unconditional laughter, breathing and youthful playfulness. LY is a lot of fun. It's accessible for virtually everyone and within a few minutes you'll usually feel the health and mood benefits of laughing. A LY session consists of gentle stretching, repetitive clapping and chanting, and eye contact. You don't need any previous experience ,nor do you need to wear special clothes or have any equipment (eg. yoga mat) . Places are available should anyone wish to join us. Meeting Area: West Cross Meeting Day: Wednesdays AM Pickleball To find out more about this Group, Email What we do: What is it? - Click here. Pickleball is one of the fastest growing activities in America and the Mediterranean, it is also taking a hold in the UK with many clubs already oversubscribed and it can be difficult to get a court in some towns. Many u3a’s already have pickleball groups. This new group based at West Cross , has been set up with the aim of providing an easily accessible facility and the chance to play on a good quality court . The hall has the benefit of lots of free parking. We are currently full and also have a long waiting list so can no longer accept requests to be added to the waiting list. Meeting Area: West Cross Meeting Day: Mondays AM Qi Gong To find out more about this Group, Email
Qi Gong is an ancient Chinese practice for wellness and wellbeing Meeting Area: Swansea Meeting Day: Tuesday & Thursday AM Rambling To find out more about this Group, Email What we do U3A rambling provides an alternative rambling experience to the norm. Instead of racing through the countryside as the majority of rambling clubs, time will be allowed to enjoy the views and any other happenings on the walks. Most of the walks will be about 6 to 8 miles. The start time will vary according to the meeting point and this will be notified on the website together with the type of walk, No of miles, difficulty and the grid reference etc. The walks could include the valleys and the Gower or the Brecon Canal and suggestions of future walks will of course be welcomed. Adventure is the name of the game. We may in due course experience frightening situations such as facing escaped bulls or ferocious dogs in farm yards where the leader should be protected by the group at all times. At the moment the group is full but I do have a waiting list, click the email link above to go on it. Meeting Area: Various Meeting Day: Tuesdays Rambling Rovers To find out more about this Group, Email What we do: The Rambling Rovers group meets on alternate Tuesdays to the Rambling Group. Our walks are usually between 7 to 10 miles long and are mainly circular although we do include the occasional linear walk utilising either The Heart of Wales train or local bus services. Our walks are within a one-hour drive time from the centre of Swansea. The walks are not rushed and we take time to enjoy the many splendid views and to stop at sites of interest. Start times are usually 10.30am but this can vary and the walks tend to last around four and a half to five and a half hours. For those members who wish, after the walk we stop off on the way home at a local hostelry to enjoy a coffee or a beer, and a chat. Various difficulties can be expected when rambling including slippery paths, steep gradients, rocky ground and mud, so good walking boots are essential as is good waterproof clothing (this is South Wales after all!). We typically stop twice during the walk for a coffee /banana break and a packed lunch. Our walks take us on rights of way through farms with livestock, so we do not ever allow dogs. Meeting Area: Various Meeting Day: Alternate Tuesdays Relaxation (Yoga Nidra) With the subject as “Relaxation” What we do: Relaxation - guided deep relaxation using the techniques of Yoga Nidra, where we explore the space between waking and sleeping. You’re welcome exactly as you are, and it doesn’t matter if Yoga Nidra is completely new to you or something you’ve practiced before. We'll be there to guide you throughout the 45 minute practice. All you have to do is wear comfortable clothing, bring a yoga mat, pillow/s, a blanket and eye mask (if you have one) and lie down, get comfortable and listen to the guidance. You will be guided into the space between wakefulness and sleep: a place where your nervous system can settle and your whole being can soften. Maybe you’ll drift off to sleep, maybe you won’t. Either way, you’ll be giving yourself a nurturing, healing rest. Meeting area: Sketty Park. Meeting day: The last Friday of every month AM Short Tennis LC2 What we do: We play Short Tennis. Short Tennis is an easy-to-learn tennis-like game played on a Badminton court with a low net, a short tennis racket (21” - as generally used by children) and a soft spongy ball. It is a good game for older people; it is great fun, and keeps you supple and active without being as hard on the joints as other racket games such as tennis and squash. A number of courts are pre-booked and we can normally have additional courts according to demand. New Members: Over time Short Tennis has become increasingly popular, to the extent that sometimes we can end up with a number of people sitting out waiting to play, and in the extreme interfering with those who are playing. Depending on the day in which you are interested, there may not be room for new members. We would therefore ask potential new members to first contact the appropriate convenors using the links above, when they will either be told to come along, or be put on a waiting list. For new members, we have a number of rackets which can be borrowed for the session. Meeting Area: Swansea Meeting Day: Monday, Thursday & Friday AM and Tuesday PM Short Tennis West Cross Group To find out more about Short Tennis 3 (Monday & Thursday) please email with the subject as "Short Tennis 3" . What we do: We play Short Tennis. Short Tennis is an easy-to-learn tennis-like game played on a Badminton court with a low net, a short tennis racket (21” - as generally used by children) and a soft spongy ball. It is a good game for older people; it is great fun, and keeps you supple and active without being as hard on the joints as other racket games such as tennis and squash. A number of courts are pre-booked and we can normally have additional courts according to demand. New Members: Due to the fact that we only have one court, we limit the number of players to 8 on any particular day such that you will play at least half the time. For this reason, members wishing to join the group should contact the Convenor using the email link above. At the moment we cannot take on any new members. Meeting Area: West Cross Meeting Day: Mondays & Thursday PM /Geriatric%20SAS.png)
Walking (Geriatric SAS) What we do: I run the same walk a few times a month and members can choose which date they would like to attend. My walkers christened the group Geriatric SAS, not because of the age of the members, but because occasionally there is some mud and scrambling. Walks vary between 6 and 9 miles, and are under taken at a relaxed pace on marked footpaths and minor country lanes. I aim to make the walks circular from a car park and every attempt is made to ensure that a cafe or public house is near the start / end of the walk. Walks are in and around the Swansea, Gower, Llanelli and Neath areas. Dates of the walks are advertised up to three months in advance. Full details of the walk are advertised about 3 to 4 weeks in advance. I take the first 15 to respond on each date. Meeting Area: Various Meeting Day: Twice Monthly on a Wednesday Walking - Team Rapido To find out more about this Group, Email What we do: A great deal of research has been carried out into the positive effects of fast walking, and the link between walking speed and longevity. Fast walking is generally accepted to be one of the most beneficial forms of exercise, with limited stress on the joints. Many people who walk largely for fitness reasons do so frequently and regularly on their own, but doing it as a group can provide additional motivation. If you are interested in getting together with others to enjoy fast walking, please get in touch using the email link above. Walks last approximately two hours and take place on suitable terrain. No special gear is required, apart from comfortable shoes. We meet fortnightly on Monday mornings, and aim to have completed our walk by lunchtime. Please note that these fortnightly group walks are conceived as a way of supporting the walking regime that participants undertake independently: they are not sufficient on their own. Group walks are now suspended until the early autumn. Meeting Area: Various Meeting Day: Fortnightly on Monday AM |
To find out more about this Group, Email What we do These walks will be 5 – 6 miles long ( 3-4 hours ) and will sandwich neatly in-between our walking group that provides 2 hour walks and our rambling group that walk in the main between 8 and 9 miles. The area we will cover will be based in and around the Swansea area but further afield too, for example Pontardawe, Clydach, Gwaun Cae Gurwen and further west at Llanelli, Burry Port and Ferryside. We are planning our first walk in the second half of September. These walks will be 5 – 6 miles long ( 3-4 hours ) and will sandwich neatly in-between our walking group that provides 2 hour walks and our rambling group that walk in the main between 8 and 9 miles. The area we will cover will be based in and around the Swansea area but further afield too, for example Pontardawe, Clydach, Gwaun Cae Gurwen and further west at Llanelli, Burry Port and Ferryside. We are planning our first walk in the second half of September. The walks will be once a month on a Tuesday and will be advertised on the website . Please note a reasonable level of fitness is required . There will be uneven/hilly ground which can be wet and muddy. Sturdy lace up footwear is required and walking boots/shoes a must on inclines and hilly terrain and when it is muddy underfoot. Other examples of what to bring include a packed lunch, fleeces, waterproofs, sun hat and suncream and walking poles and gaiters if used. Meeting Area: Various Meeting Day: Tuesdays |
Yoga
To find out more about this Group, Email
With the subject as “u3a Yoga”
What we do
Yoga is a practice that connects the body, breath, and mind through physical postures, breathing exercises, and relaxation. It aims to improve overall well-being, including physical strength, flexibility, and mental clarity.
Cath and Ruth jointly lead a weekly 75 minute yoga class. A typical practice involves a wide variety of postures to stretch and strengthen all parts of the body. There are some balancing poses, which are so important as we get older because they help maintain good posture, strengthen muscles, and improve coordination, all of which are important for preventing falls and injuries. Strong balance also makes everyday activities easier and enhances confidence.
and blanket.
Meeting Area: Sketty Park Meeting day: Fridays AM