There are running tracks and other athletics facilities at Diagoras Stadium and at Karakonero (on the Rhodes-Kalithea road). A popular place for jogging is the ancient stadium.
You can now play badminton in Rhodes, so why not go to this friendly club. Mon-Fri, mornings only. Racquets and shuttlecocks available for hire. For details contact David Collier (22410 25498) or Pandelis (22410 73356)
On Faliraki Beach (summer only)
Rhodes has a chess club, 'Ippotis', based at D.O.N.A. in Rhodes town. For more information see http://www.ippotis.com/ (mostly Greek)
Anyone interested in playing cricket should contact the rugby club, the Rodos Rugby Colossi - see details under 'Rugby' below.
There are now 5-a-side football pitches all over the island, and many have lessons for juniors. Good ones in Rhodes town include Rodos Mini Football on the Rhodes-Lindos road, just past Rhodini, and Oasis, near the hospital.
Two local teams, Diagoras and Rodos, play at the Diagoras stadium in Rhodes town. Neither is in the top Greek division, but occasionally you can see one of the 'giants' of Greek football, Olympiakos or Panathanaikos, play here in a cup match.
Track with Bullet and Junior carts at Stan's Go-Karts in Faliraki (Tel: 22410 86151)
There is an 18 hole, par 72 golf course in Afandou open 12 months a year. Tel 22410 51256, 51451. An Open Tournament takes place each October.
There are many good gyms all over Rhodes. Those at the Grand Hotel in Rhodes town and Paradise hotel in Koskinou are open all year round and have swimming pools. My wife recommends Asana in Rodini, which has a supervised play area for children.
There are many good walks on Rhodes. Although it is now a little out of date, Sunflower Books' 'Landscapes of Rhodes' lists several in detail, including an ascent of Ataviros from Embona and climbing Profitis Ilias from Salakos. Walking Rhodes (www.walking-rhodes.com) is a company based in Lindos which organises walking days around Rhodes.
The Riding Club of Rhodes, near Asgourou, offers lessons in basic horse riding and excursions riding through the mountains or along beaches. Tel. 22410 96651 or 694 44726922.
Anyone interested in playing netball should contact the rugby club, the Rodos Rugby Colossi - see details under 'Rugby' below.
The Nautical Club of Rhodes (N.O.R.) at the Nothern end of Elli beach in Rhodes town offers lessons (in Greek).
Rugby on Rhodes??! Check out the mighty Colossi! Rhodes has a rugby club - the Rodos Rugby Colossi. Rodos Rugby play in the nationwide Greek rugby union competition and are the only club that battles on outside the major population centres of Athens and Thessaloniki. The Colossi are also the only team in Greece playing and promoting rugby league and regularly playing sevens and beach rugby in summer. Look them up to participate or even to just say hello. The team trains at 15:30 on Tuesdays and Fridays at the soccer pitch in Kremasti. Home games are played on Sunday at the same oval. If no home games are scheduled the team plays sevens and league and all comers are invited to participate or whet their curiosity. Come down about 11.30 and make sure you introduce yourself. The team includes English-speaking Greek-Australians, English expats and top local lads. For more information contact coach Anestis Karageorgiou on 6946873401 or Angelo Seitis (owner of the Boomerang bar in Orfanidou Street, Rhodes town) on 6947694266. Find out more at www.rodosrugby.com and www.rugby.gr
Rhodes is the most important centre in the Aegean for yachting.
You can hire various craft, bare-boat or crewed, sail or power, at e.g. Yacht Agency Rhodes (Tel. 22410 22927), or Passion Sailing Cruises (22410 73006)
If you have your own boat you can moor it at Mandraki harbour (22410 27690). There is no size limits for boats and all modern facilities are available. Mooring fees on application. Please be warned that entrance is dangerous in strong East to South winds.
The Nautical Club of Rhodes (N.O.R.) offers lessons but these are in Greek (I struggled through a 10 week course several years ago)
Although you might think Rhodes would be a diver's paradise, scuba-diving is actually restricted by law around the Dodecanese due to the potential for stealing submerged antiquities. On Rhodes it is currently only permitted at Kalithea, although this policy is being reviewed and more areas might be added in future (contact the Union of Greek Diving Centres on 210 9229532 or 210 4118909 for further information).
Waterhoppers (22410 38146), Trident (22410 29160) and Diving Centres (22410 23780) are dive companies located at Mandraki. The boats leave about 9am and arrive an hour or so later. Beginners can do a shallow-water 'try dive', those with existing certification can do a couple of more advanced deeper dives, one of which explores a cave and tunnel system.
The Hilton hotel in Ixia has two courts with racquets available for hire. Tel 22410 74014.
The Nautical Club of Rhodes (N.O.R) at the end of Elli beach in Rhodes town has an outdoor swimming pool, though you have to be a member to use it. They also offer swimming lessons.
If you are not a 'winter swimmer' who can stand the sea all year round, there are indoor pools at the Paradise hotel in Koskinou (Tel. 22410 62481, ring in advance to check that lessons aren't taking place), the Grand hotel in Rhodes town and others.
The tennis club in Karakonero (see below) has professional-standard tables. In the summer hotels all over Rhodes have tables.
There are Ten-Pin Bowling alleys in Kremasti (Tel. 22410 93392, open 10am-2am), Faliraki (Strike Bowling club) and Rhodes Town (in Zephyros)
The main tennis club is at Karakonero, on the road from Rhodes Town to Kalithea. There are two red clay courts and several hard courts with floodlights. The club also has three hard courts behind Elli Beach near the Casino. In the summer a cheaper option is to play at one of the many large hotels, although these vary widely in quality.
There are beach volley courts at Karakonero.
Waterskiing is possible on many of the beaches round Rhodes, including Ixia, Faliraki, Lindos and more.
Parasailing, 'banana rides', 'ringo-ing', sea kayaks and others are available at beaches around Rhodes including Elli beach in Rhodes town, Faliraki, Afandou, Lindos, Kiotari.
Rhodes is renowned as one of the best windsurfing spots in the world. Real pros head for Prassonisi at the far south of the island, but conditions are also ideal on the West coast off Ixia and Ialyssos for beginners or the more experienced. Kitesurfing is also growing in popularity.
For yoga classes and retreats on Rhodes see http://www.yogainrhodes.com or contact Clare Lee on (0030) 6946984511 and info@yogainrhodes.com.