GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – July 22, 2008 – In Greater Fort Lauderdale, the sheer volume of choices in select sports give the destination appeal across all skill levels, from scuba diving, fishing, golf and kayaking to cycling, sailing and equestrian activities, among others. No experience? No problem. Decades of expertise? There are still plenty of challenges to be had at a destination that offers an exceptionally broad array of experiences in many popular sporting activities. Beginners, intermediates and experts will all find plenty of reasons to stay, play, and improve their "game" in Greater Fort Lauderdale. Quite literally, you can do it the easy way or the hard way.

Following is a sampling of Greater Fort Lauderdale's "sports of specialty."

From "Diving for Dummies" to Experts Only
Greater Fort Lauderdale features more than 100 wreck dives of various depths and skill levels to complement its nearly 70 miles of three-tiered natural coral reef system. Some reefs are as close as 100 yards offshore. The result is an eclectic undersea world of living coral and resting ships, one whose gulf stream currents bring a treasure trove of brilliantly colored exotic aquatic wildlife. Dives ranging in depth from 15 feet to 150 feet create a plethora of opportunities for beginner, intermediate and expert divers. Dozens of dive operators in Greater Fort Lauderdale cater to a wide range of ages and skill levels. A full list of operators and a sampling of top dive sites is available at www.sunny.org/scuba.

Here's the Hook: Saltwater to Freshwater Fishing in Under an Hour
In Greater Fort Lauderdale, anglers and fishing enthusiasts can hit the ocean for some big game sport fishing and, that same day, less than an hour's drive west be in the Everglades for freshwater fishing. In both cases, visitors can chose to fish in perfect solitude or with small to medium-size groups.  There are a number of charters, offering varying levels of hands-on guidance, that provide half or full-day trips on the ocean, where you can fish for marlin, tuna and even shark. Charters in the Everglades focus primarily on the area's renowned bass fishing.

The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) Hall of Fame and Museum is a great place to start, especially for beginners. Try your hand at a virtual fishing experience or find out where to find the fishing hotspots. Visit www.igfa.org or www.sunny.org for a list of fishing boat charter operators.

From Three Under Par to 30 Over: Get "Linked In" in Greater Fort Lauderdale
Offering more than 60 courses ranging from well-maintained municipal courses to high-end semi-private Championship courses, Greater Fort Lauderdale is a haven for golfers of all handicaps. Weekend hackers (handicap: sizable) can sharpen their skills without emptying their wallets on pristine links with surprisingly low green fees, especially during the summer months. One such course is Deer Creek Golf Club in Deerfield Beach (www.deercreekflorida.com), whose weekday rates are as low as $45 through October. The destination also offers several Par 3 executive courses perfectly suitable for beginners. Scratch players (handicap: 0) can tee off at Championship level "tracks" that have hosted a variety of PGA tournaments and qualifiers, such as TPC Heron Bay (www.heronbaygolfclub.net).
Perfect for both advanced and beginner players is the Diplomat Golf Resort & Spa (www.luxurycollection.com/diplomatcc), which besides being the only five-star rated course in South Florida boasts the Manny Zerman School of Golf offering private and small group lessons.

Explore Via Oar: Paddling Around Greater Fort Lauderdale
With 300+ miles of Intracoastal Waterway, inland lakes, rivers and creeks, and 23 miles of scenic coastline as a playground, nothing on the water is more fun than a kayak or canoe expedition. In the mood for a leisurely ride (albeit with a dose of envy)? Paddle the docile New River and pass mega-yachts and mega-mansions worth tens of millions of dollars. Up for a more arduous workout? Steer through the mangrove swamps along the Waterway or hug the shoreline, going from beach to beach in the choppier ocean water.

At Anne Kolb Nature Center in Hollywood, freshwater actually meets saltwater on a kayaking ride that begins underneath mangroves so low and dense that ducking is a must to get by. Suddenly, the trail meets the open saltwater before an inlet brings paddlers back through the mangroves.

Many companies in the area offer lessons, rentals, excursions, even themed paddling itineraries, including moonlight outings. Kayaking outfitters in Greater Fort Lauderdale include Full Moon Kayak (www.fullmoonkayak.com, 954-328-5231) and Atlantic Coast Kayak Co. (www.atlanticcoastkayak.com, 954-781-0073).

Mountain Biking…in Florida? Ride the Reefs.
It's no secret that Florida is one of the most vertically-challenged states in the union. Its highest point is a mere 345 feet. However, Markham Park on the eastern edge of the Everglades rests atop an ancient reef system that has long since surfaced. The result is currently about 10 miles and growing of single and double-track mountain bike trails that offer something for every skill level. The easier trails follow the edges of the lakes and consist of gravel roads suitable for any rider. Intermediate riders can experience the expert trails by utilizing the diversions around the more technical sections. What Markham Park lacks vertically, it more than makes up for it in technicality.

Parks Permit Activities Both Diverse and Challenging
Greater Fort Lauderdale's "ocean to the Everglades" geography is exemplified by the broad range of to-dos at its plethora of parks. At Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek, horseback riding offers more amateur-to-pro possibilities; the park has everything from guided pony rides to equestrian rings.

In Cooper City, visitors can get rolling at Brian Piccolo Park, which offers an in-line skating oval as well as a velodrome that hosts several championship-level cycling events. And Markham Park – the same park with "reef mountain biking," offers the largest target range in South Florida, with skeet shooting, target ranges and a hunting trail. Visit www.broward.org/parks for more details.

The Surf's Not Up – But You Are
Greater Fort Lauderdale's beaches aren't known for traditional surfing, but kite surfing – which capitalizes on the wind as well as the waves, has become extraordinarily popular there. Vendors such as Tiki Beach Water Sports in Fort Lauderdale – operated by noted professional Neil Hutchinson – take newcomers through all four stages of learning this challenging "extreme sport," from Phase 1 ("Ground Control") to the final phase of board riding.

On the opposite side of the learning curve is paddle boarding – using a kayak paddle to propel yourself through the water while standing on an oversized surf board. The size of the board makes for easier balance and assists in giving riders a terrific workout. The relatively docile, clear ocean waters in Greater Fort Lauderdale are ideal for paddle boarding – and provide the opportunity to see marine life while afloat. Tiki Beach Water Sports in Fort Lauderdale (www.tikibeacheast.com, 954-763-4020) offers basic lessons and rentals.

From Sailing School to Sailing Away
With 23 miles of coastline and more than 300+ miles of navigable inland waterways, it is no surprise that Greater Fort Lauderdale offers a premier yachting and sailing scene. Learning to sail provides more than a new skill – it provides an enhanced sense of freedom, literally opening up a new world. Sailing schools in Greater Fort Lauderdale include Tigertail Lake Center in Dania Beach (954-201-4500); Blue Water Sailing School in Fort Lauderdale (www.bwss.com, 954-763-8464); and Southeast Yachting School in Fort Lauderdale (954-523-2628).

Only in Greater Fort Lauderdale – International Cricket
For an off-the-beaten-path sport – at least for Americans – Greater Fort Lauderdale has just the "wicket":  the only international cricket stadium in the country. Located in Central Broward Regional Park, the 5,000-seat, state-of-the-art venue hosts high-profile cricket matches by some of the world's top teams, including the AZADI CUP tournament August 16 that is part of the Indo-Pak Independence Day festival.

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07/2008