If you want to get fit and have fun at the same time, then Augusta is the place to be. With our wide selection of recreational facilities and sports leagues for children and adults, you can pursue just about any athletic pastime that comes to mind: tennis, golf, swimming, softball, volleyball, biking, ice skating—yes, even ice skating.

But let’s talk about water activities first. After all, the Savannah River, Augusta Canal, Lake Olmstead and Lake Thurmond are all within easy reach and just waiting to ignite your adventurous, nature-loving spirit. And nearby Langley Pond, the fastest growing rowing regatta venue in the southeast, is the only Olympic size course in South Carolina. Complete with a bathhouse, playground, picnic area, grills, concession stand, boat ramp, swim area and dock, Langley Pond Park is a perfect weekend destination for the family.

A major southeastern waterway forming the border between Georgia and South Carolina, the scenic Savannah River is studded with convenient access points. The river is also the perfect venue for the Augusta Southern Nationals, which bring the world’s fastest drag boats, capable of pushing the speedometer over 260 mph. 

If you want to seek some solace and quietude after a weekend of drag boat excitement, the Augusta Canal offers opportunities to get back to nature, from bicycling or walking to kayaking and fishing. Farther up the canal, you’ll find the Savannah Rapids Pavilion, where you can get a bird’s eye view of the rapids from an observation deck situated on a scenic 80-foot bluff.
Those eager to indulge in more natural wonders should plan a day at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, where visitors can observe blue heron, red-shouldered hawk, otter, alligator and the elusive bobcat. You can also get up close and personal with nature at Columbia County’s Reed Creek Wetlands Park and Interpretive Center.

Not far from Augusta are the sparkling waters of Lake Thurmond, ideal for a slew of water activities. Beyond the shores you will discover camping accommodations, hiking trails and recreation areas. The largest man-made lake in the eastern U.S., Lake Thurmond is also host to a number of national fishing tournaments, drawing anglers from around the country to compete for prize money. There’s also plenty of opportunity for the weekend angler as the lake is a great place to catch striper, hybrids, crappie, catfish and other fresh water offerings.

While visiting the lake, you’ll find Wildwood Park, home to the Professional Disc Golf Association Center. You can try your hand at the sport on one of the courses here or at Patriot’s Park, another one of Columbia County’s first-class recreational facilities.
Speaking of parks, how about heading to the ballpark to watch the Augusta GreenJackets in home game action? Of course, in Augusta, your options are always varied, so if you’re a fan of spectator sports other than baseball, you’re in luck. 
Local hockey fans are thrilled over welcoming hockey back to the Garden City in the fall of 2010, with the premiere season of the Augusta River Hawks at the James Brown Arena. The River Hawks, a minor league hockey team, are members of the Southern Professional Hockey League. Fall 2011 will bring the excitement of the game back to Augusta for a second exciting, action-packed season. 

The Augusta-Metro community also rallies around Augusta State University's student-athletes. Highly competitive on both the regional and national levels, both the men's basketball and the men's golf teams have excelled In recent years. Playing home basketball games in the Christenberry Fieldhouse, the Jaguars pack in the fans eager to see them win yet another Southeast Regional Championship as they work their way toward another chance at the NCAA Division II National Championship. Meanwhile, the men's golf team seek to defend their back-to-back NCAA Division II National Championships.
Held in January each year, the Augusta Cutting Horse Futurity features horses and their riders working to cut and isolate a cow from the herd. In addition Augusta is home to the National Barrel Horse Association—the largest barrel horse racing organization in the world. It has more than 23,000 members across the United States and affiliates in 12 countries.
In the CSRA, you’ll encounter an array of opportunities to watch horses show off their agility and strength. Just across the river is the thriving equestrian community of Aiken, S.C., host to the annual Aiken Triple Crown, a highly-anticipated event comprised of flat racing, steeplechasing and professional polo.

In September the ESi Ironman 70.3 Augusta returns to the city, Last year’s inaugural competition was the largest Ironman event in the world with 3,000 athletes and 700 volunteers participating.

Oh did we hear you say that we forgot something? That we’ve overlooked the world’s most prestigious golf tournament in the history of the sport? There’s no way we could dismiss that exciting PGA Major known for its blooming azaleas, the traditional green jacket and Amen Corner. Held every year the first full week in April at the Augusta National Golf Club, the Masters has a colorful history that dates back to the first tournament in 1934. Although only a lucky few get a shot at the greens of Augusta National, it doesn’t mean that you’ve totally missed out on all the glorious golfing experiences the Garden City has to offer.

The CSRA is home to more than 30 public and private courses, including Jones Creek and the River Club, a public course spanning along the banks of the Savannah River and designed by internationally acclaimed course architect Jim Fazio.
Gordon Lakes Golf Club, a 27-hole course located at Fort Gordon, is another must-play opportunity for visitors and locals alike.
One of the newer additions to Augusta’s golf scene is the Champions Retreat Golf Club at Riverwood Plantation, a private club with holes designed by Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, the only course with the three golfers’ names attached to it. In 2007, the club was ranked 5th Best Course in Georgia by Golf Digest. And in November 2005, the magazine ranked Augusta 36th out of 330 metropolitan areas with populations of 50,000 or more as “Best little golf town in America.”
 
In South Augusta, the Goshen Plantation course is home to one of Augusta’s latest pro tour players, Vaughn Taylor, who grew up playing the course and comes back regularly to visit family.

For youngsters who want to learn the game of golf, First Tee Augusta is a nonprofit public course with classes and lessons that teach golf skills and etiquette, along with values such as commitment, honesty and respect.