Support Us Button Widget

Try out these 6 niche Olympic Sports in Tampa Bay

This could be the start of your road to the 2028 Games.

Two fencers face off in the full silver equipment. The one on the right is lunging toward the one on the left with a dark grey background and spooky smokey effects around.

Don’t sit on the fence, try out these sports.

Photo via Canva

The torch is blazing, and the Paris 2024 Olympics Games are officially underway. If you can’t take your eyes off the competition, you may encounter a few lesser-spotted pastimes.

If you want to try your hand at some of the more niche sports on show during the Games, the Tampa Bay area has no shortage of choice.

Archery

Unleash your inner Robin Hood at Tampa Archery School. Classes take place on Saturday mornings from 10 to 11:15 a.m. at Tampa Bay Sporting Clays in Land O’ Lakes. They cost $20 each with equipment rental included, or $70 per month. Heads up: If you’re paying on-site, bring cash.

Breaking

In this new Olympics sport, athletes will use a combination of moves + freezes to wow a panel of judges. The City of Tampa offers classes which can introduce kids and teens to the discipline, and set their Olympic breaking journey running.

Fencing

Feint, lunge, and parry your way to a beginner group class at Tampa Fencing Academy. Classes run twice weekly at 5811 Memorial Hwy. in the Town ‘n’ Country area. Once you master the en garde, the academy hosts intermediate sessions too.

An archer is firing at a target. An orange hazy sky is behind the archer, with the sun on their hands. Because of the lightning, both the archer and the archery target are fully black and sillhouetted. Several arrows are in the target.

Sherwood Forest is closer than you’d think.

Photo via Canva

Skateboarding

One spot springs to mind here: Skatepark of Tampa. East Tampa’s decades-old skating haven has a range of programs, from group beginner lessons to after-school sessions, and skate camp fun. Pro tip: They sell safety equipment.

Sport Climbing

Becoming a friendly neighborhood climbing master is easier than you’d think. As this sport’s popularity soars across the globe, St. Pete’s Vertical Ventures offers 20,000+ sqft of gravity-defying fun. Day passes for kids start at $17, and $24 for adults.

Water Polo

Next Level Water Polo has been growing the sport across West Florida since 2018. With locations in Tampa and Clearwater, players of all levels are welcome to learn the game, improve their skills, and join the community fun.

For continued coverage of Paris 2024, make sure to head to our friends at 10 Tampa Bay.

More from TBAYtoday
Make the most of the cooler temps with outdoor festivals, shopping, and community celebrations across Tampa Bay.
We’re taking the guesswork out of making the holiday spectacular for you and your sweetie.
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
Floats, marching bands, and community groups galore take to Seventh Avenue for the celebration.
Take a peek at Eagles and Chiefs with a tie to Champa Bay ahead of the big game.
Here’s what’s on tap for the first weekend of February across Tampa Bay.
The immersive experience features treetop climbin’, giant anteaters, squirrel monkeys, and a massive splash area.
We’ve made a concerted effort to orchestrate this roadmap, so you can focus on finding the artists you adore.
Let’s take a look at the City of Tampa’s plans for improving West Tampa’s Main Street, opening new affordable housing in South Tampa, and the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino renovation.
The bread type is more popular than ever, and we’re here to help you find the best loaves in Tampa Bay, or start making your own.