Wales is riding on the crest of a wave. There’s a growing awareness of the country’s exciting watersports scene. Sailors and surfers, wakeboarders and divers are discovering the special qualities that set Wales apart from the rest.

For a start, there’s the sheer beauty of its coast and country. Wales is fringed on three sides by a spectacular 750-mile coastline, more than half of which is taken up by National Parklands, Heritage Coast and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. From the Glamorgan Heritage Coast in the south, through to Pembrokeshire, Cardigan Bay, the Llyn Peninsula and Isle of Anglesey, there’s an inviting seaboard of big beaches and tiny coves, crashing surf and placid estuaries, rich in natural beauty and wildlife.

It’s the same story inland. With almost 500 lakes and reservoirs and 15,000 miles of rivers and canals, Wales offers everything from dinghy sailing to shooting the rapids – all against a backcloth of green hills and dramatic mountains.

Wales is the natural choice on many levels. Salty old harbours and swish, modern marinas provide safe and sophisticated havens all along the coast. There’s been a big investment in watersports in recent years – and it’s paying off not just in terms of quayside facilities but also in the high quality of the watersports centres and schools that welcome beginners, enthusiasts and experts alike.