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Extra-curricular activities

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A new sport for DD 12

59 replies

drspouse · 04/11/2026 17:39

DD cycles in the summer (a racing club) but she needs a lot of physical activity to burn off energy. She wants to learn to ride but all three of the possible BHS approved stables near us have waiting lists (which she's on).
In theory she goes to a dry ski slope every other week and we could up that, or go to the indoor snow centre for proper lessons.
She's missed the boat with gymnastics and football, we fear, she's been to both in primary school but stuck with cycling much longer. She also gave up on karate so I fear any marital arts would be a hard sell.

She went up to about stage 4 in swimming and then did some rookie life-saving but she's got quite fed up of that due to not moving up to the next stage. They suggested some private lessons to move up quicker but she struggles with having too much attention just on her so says she doesn't want to do that.

So far I've thought of:
Skiing as above
Climbing
Rugby (she's quite small for her age though).
Trampolining if you can start at her age?
Cricket but she's declined before and it's another summer sport.
We don't have many unusual sports in our area as we are fairly rural.

OP posts:
drspouse · 04/11/2026 17:59

Needmorelego · 04/11/2026 17:51

Can't she just go lane swimming?
Not lessons or the life saving class - just going for a swim.
Maybe join a gym (if you can at her age).

You can't join a gym at 12, she will occasionally go swimming for fun but isn't keen for slightly personal reasons. She'd much prefer a club but she isn't good enough for swimming racing.

@Littletreefrog it's the group element and the being active she likes about the cycling club, not just pedaling around. Indoor training would be worst of all worlds!

@Smartiepants79 we'll ask about hockey, and see if she feels like trying football again. Oddly though she is a fearless skiier she's a bit of a wimp on skates. Shame as the ice rink is closer than the indoor snow slope!

OP posts:
Smartiepants79 · 04/11/2026 17:56

Is she a team player? She sounds more like she enjoys individual sports.
What do they offer at school? Hockey? Football could still be an options if you find the right club that is prepared to nurture and train a newbie.
Ice skating/ice hockey? Water polo?

PosiePerkinPootleFlump · 04/11/2026 17:53

Running. Cross country in the winter with many running clubs. Or triathlon. Or rowing which also needs leg strength like the bike

drspouse · 04/11/2026 17:53

I'm not sure she's that keen on running, don't know if they do cross country at school but I could find out. Canoeing is a great idea but I fear also a summer sport though maybe we can find indoor lessons for the winter.
Triathlon - excellent idea - unfortunately both of us have injuries that prevent running though I cycle and swim, DH doesn't really do either but I could train for those with her.

@AnderNuvvaFing with being rural I'm afraid many of her friends... ride... she's at a rural secondary with girls who own horses!
A gymnastics club or girls football club may not actually take a near beginner aged 12, and besides, she's done them before and stopped so is unlikely to be keen. However, the riding stables are happy to take a new 12 year old. She did one PGL riding holiday and loved it.

OP posts:
Littletreefrog · 04/11/2026 17:51

Does she actually want another sport? If she just wants to do cycling but the weather isn't great why not get a cycle trainer, DS sets his bike up in the garage on a cycle trainer for winter. If she really wants another sport why not just something simple like running. No need to join club or be competitive or spend lots on kit.

Needmorelego · 04/11/2026 17:51

Can't she just go lane swimming?
Not lessons or the life saving class - just going for a swim.
Maybe join a gym (if you can at her age).

Octavia64 · 04/11/2026 17:48

Running.
triathlon - many areas have clubs and one of the sports is cycling. Lots of triathlons are open water swimming as well so she could swim (in the summer) at outdoor venues which is a lot more interesting and enjoyable than going up and down the pool.

parkrun is good for running and also free.

AnderNuvvaFing · 04/11/2026 17:48

With respect, you're massively overthinking this. What does she actually like to do and just do some more of that. Interesting that you think that she has 'missed the boat' with gym & football, but starting to ride at 12 is acceptable?

What do her friends do?

BindweedIsMyNemesis · 04/11/2026 17:45

Cross country running? Triathlon? A racquet spirt - tennis, padel etc? Canoeing?