SWANSEA Bay scored another huge success when it staged the Beach Rugby Wales event at the weekend.
It pulled in a crowd of up to 4,500 spectators, a week after the Mumbles Raft Race and a fortnight after the Wales National Air Show proved hugely popular once again.
Swansea Council leader David Phillips said he would love to see more events staged at the beach.
“It’s a fantastic resource but what we cannot guarantee is the weather,” said Mr Phillips.
“If we have four or five days of sunshine the whole atmosphere and outlook in the city centre changes.
“If we have the sunshine what better place can you have than Swansea Bay?
“The air show is the biggest free outdoor show in Wales. But you could say Swansea Bay is the biggest free show in Wales 365 days a year.
“It’s always telling a story and I think we should sit and appreciate it more often.”
Mr Phillips said the council could not and should not do everything, and events organised by residents themselves were often the most successful.
“Those are the events the council should be supporting because that is what we want people to do,” he added.
“If they have an idea that can contribute to the fun of people’s lives and they need to close roads etc, then the council should be assisting them to do it.”
A change in the weather took some of the shine off what was otherwise a hugely successful Beach Rugby Wales sevens tournament played out by the Civic Centre.
The event, now in its eighth year, was carefully timed to take account of the tides. But, this being Wales, there was no accounting for the elements.
Organiser Ashleigh Walters said: “According to the security staff, at its peak we had 4,000-4,500 spectators.
“The rain held off until the last hour. It wasn’t really raining, more spitting, but the crowd dispersed for the final, which was a shame. It was the first time in eight years that we had rain and it spoilt it a bit but otherwise we had a great day.”
This year’s tournament attracted 36 teams from around the UK.
The women’s plate final was won by Brecon-based Gwernyfed, who beat Tyly Tigers from Tylerstown, while Cardiff’s Y Baa Baariad saw off the British Army in the men’s plate final.
Swansea triumphed twice in the cup finals, with Riley Sports Flamingos defeating the Pontyclyn Falcons in the women’s event and Wind Street’s Minty Baa-Baas overcoming Gowerton’s Gwyr 7s in the men’s.
“Everyone seemed to enjoy it, there was a lot of singing and no issues with the police whatsoever,” said Leigh.
“There were some big names watching too, including Welsh internationals Leigh Halfpenny and Harry Robinson, along with Eli Walker from the Ospreys, which shows how big an attraction it is.
“We filled around 350 hotel beds in Swansea. A lot of people who came down stayed for the weekend.”
“Hopefully there will be another one next year. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.”
Beach rugby"s a winner for Swansea Bay
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