• By Sam Parton
• In Blog
• Feb 20, 2013

Where to Play Sport In London

London?s best sports facilities, in alphabetical installments.

Karate
Continuing the martial arts theme from Part J, Karate is one of the world?s most famous martial arts, with its popularity spearheaded by Hollywood heroes such as Wesley Snipes and Chuck Norris (and, of course, The Karate Kid). Karate is a striking martial art which uses punches, kicks, knee strikes and elbow strikes, making it ideal for helping you get on the tube in the morning. London has plenty of Karate clubs to join and Shotokan Karate England can point you towards some of the best of these. Some good clubs for new members include Westminster Shotokan Karate, Chelsea Karate Club, Newham Shoujin Karate Club and South London Karate Club. However, given the popularity of this martial art form, you should find karate clubs all over London with most offering beginners sessions (often for free).

Kayaking
Kayaking is the most popular form of canoeing and typically involves single-seater kayaks (or doubles). Kayaking opportunities in London can vary from the extreme (white-water kayaking) to more leisurely adventure tours, so it really depends on how much adrenaline you can face. A fun, relaxed example isKayaking London, which offers tours such as ?Big Ben By Night? and ?Discover London? where you will take in some of London?s best known landmarks along the Thames. For even more relaxed adventures away from the choppy waters of the Thames, check out London Kayak Tours with trips up London?s canals and around Windsor. However if these do not ?float your kayak? head to the Lee Valley Whitewater Centre in Waltham Cross. If that doesn?t test your nerves, we are not sure what will?

Kickboxing
This is a very popular form of exercise which features in many London gyms, but it is also a Japanese martial art by origin. Over the years other kickboxing forms were born such as American or Korean but they all involve similar moves ? kicking and boxing. In its crudest form, the goal is to knock you opponent out, however the vast majority practice this art as a form of exercise. Recommend London kickboxing clubs are London kickboxing, Ko Kickboxing and KB Kickboxing. However it is a fairly trendy Hollywood sport, so you should find it available in many of the high-end London gyms.

Kitesurfing
This sport has rapidly grown in popularity, particularly due to its eco-friendly nature which has attracted the regular surfing community. Essentially, once relatively experienced, all you need is a board, a sail (kite) and some courage. While London hardly provides emerald blue water and white sandy beaches, kitesurfing is increasingly popular along the Thames Estuary where the wind picks up. Essex Kite Surfschool in Southend is a good example and nearby Kitesports World offers one-day courses as well as ?kite buggying?. Further afield, other kitesurfing clubs can be found along the South East coast, approximately an hour?s drive/train ride from London. Pick of the bunch is the Kitesurf Centre in Camber Sands Beach, which has beginners classes on offer from £99.

Korfball
This sport is a cross between netball and basketball with a similar objective ? shoot and score in the opposing team?s basket. The particular attraction is that it always involves mixed sex teams of eight players, made up of four females and four males. If you?re single, it really could not be more ideal for flirting. It is usually played in indoor sports centres, and London Korfball has an excellent list of the best London Korfball clubs, which often seem to be based around South London. Notable Korfball clubs areBec Korfball club, Super Nova Korfball Club and Mitcham Korfball.

Kung Fu
Perhaps the most famous Kung Fu expert was Bruce Lee who invented his own form derived from Wing Chun. Kung Fu (or Gung Fu) is another name for Chinese martial arts and is said to have originated more than 4,000 years ago as one of the earliest fighting methods. It involves high intensity training with striking, throwing or jumping the most common manoeuvres. London Kung Fu clubs tend to offer a more watered down version to encourage fitness and participation. Warrier Arts Combat in Harrow, Tang Long Kung Fu School and Kung Fu Schools in Croydon are examples of Kung Fu centres. A particular favourite is Weng Chun Kung Fu which offers a free trial lesson in case you just want to have a taste of what it entails.

By Sam Parton (Founder of Openplay.co.uk)

Other Posts in this Series

 

Where to Play Sport in London Part A - Archery, Aikido, Athletics, Australian Football (Aussie Rules)
Where to Play Sport in London Part B - Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Bikram Yoga, Boules, Bowls, Boxing
Where to Play Sport in London Part C - Canoeing, Climbing, Cricket, Croquet, Curling, Cycling,
Where to Play Sport in London Part D - Dance, Darts, Disc Golf, Diving, Dodgeball, Dragon Boat Racing
Where to Play Sport in London Part E - English Billiards, Equestrian, Eight a side football, Endurance Running, Extreme Sports
Where to Play Sport in London Part F - Fencing, Fives, Football (5 a side), Football (11 a side), Frisbee
Where to Play Sport in London Part G - Gaelic Football, Golf, Go-Karting, Goalball, Gridiron
Where to Play Sport in London Part H - Handball, Hang Gliding, Hatha Yoga, Hiking, Hockey, Hula Hooping, Hurling
Where to Play Sport in London Part I - Ice Hockey, Ice Climbing, Ice Skating, Indoor Cricket, Indoor Football Iyengar Yoga
Where to Play Sport in London Part J - Jazz Dancing, Jianzi, Jitsu, Jiu Jitsu, Jogging, Jorkyball Judo
Where to Play Sport in London Part M - Mountain Biking, Muay Thai, Marathon, Mixed Martial Arts, Mixed Hockey
Where to Play Sport in London Part N and O - Netball, Nordic Skiing, Orienteering, Outdoor Rowing, Outdoor Swimming
Where to Play Sport in London Part P - Padel, Paintballing, Pétanque, Polo, Power Yoga, Parkour
Where to Play Sport in London Part Q and R - Quad Roller Skating, Roller Blading & Hockey, Rounders, Rowing, Rugby Union, League & Sevens, Running
Where to Play Sport in London Part S - Sailing, Squash, Scuba Diving, Shooting, Skateboarding, Skiing, Snowboarding, Snooker, Swimming
Where to Play Sport in London Part T - Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Tenpin Bowling, Trampolining, Triathlon