A new initiative has been launched to make the most of Swansea's growing reputation as the place that has some of the best surfing in Britain.

The Gower peninsula attracts thousands of surfers every year and Swansea has a thriving surfing community.

The City and County of Swansea is joining with other organisations in the area to set up a Surf Development Group. The group's aim is to map out the future of the sport through education, tourism and recreation.

The council's Sports Development section is already finalising a Surfing Development Plan with Simon Jayham of Gower Surfing Development (GSD).

GSD took part in the council's 'Skool's Out' activities programme last year and is currently developing a programme of fun sessions for young people new to the sport.

There are also plans to develop opportunities to allow people to study surfing-related subjects in the city via the Open College Network.

'Potential benefits'

Simon Jayham, who has recently been appointed Chairman of the British Surfing Association's Surf School, said that Swansea was 'ahead of the game' in surf development.

'Thanks to a lot of hard work and the support from various council departments, surfing development in Swansea is ahead of England,' he said.

'However, to keep it sustainable we will need to control and review our action plans on a regular basis. I hope that we can all work together and get involved in both local, national and UK campaigns.'

Swansea Council's cabinet member for Culture and Recreation, Robert Francis Davies, said that Swansea and the Gower were 'well-served for surfers of all levels with spectacular beaches and quality waves.

'It is important to make the most of the potential benefits of these natural assets, both for local people and the visitors and students who boost the economic prospects of our city.'

The Surf development Group will look at involving less well-off youngsters in the sport, developing the sport's educational links, and promoting Swansea and the Gower as a surfing destination to rival Cornwall.