The residents of Caterham and its neighbouring towns and villages are very well served with sports facilities to suit all tastes, including outdoor sports such as golf and horse-riding. However, a less well-known but exciting and popular sport also beckons those in search of an adrenalin rush - gliding at the Surrey Hills Gliding Club at Kenley Aerodrome!

Gliding is a sport for all ages with the club's 87 members ranging in age from 13-80. The British are the World Champions in one of the classes, and it is a sport that men and women compete in on equal terms.

Duty Instructor at the club, Steve Codd, said: "A gliding competition is a bit like a yacht race going around a course except we don't bump into each other at the start!"

Steve explained that gliding is one of the cheapest ways to fly.

"You can be flying a glider on your own for less than £1,000," he explained. "We teach you to soar, like you see birds of prey doing on an air current. Anybody can come and have a go with a trial lesson."

The club offers single trial lessons for £45 or just £30 each for a group of eight or more. Alternatively, joining the gliding club and attending once or twice a week over a period of time can be a pleasurable way to achieve solo status.

The club also sells gliding experience gift vouchers for a one-off birthday treat with a difference. Seeing familiar locations from above for the first time is breathtaking, and sometimes proves to be addictive! On a clear day the view stretches from the South Downs all the way to Canary Wharf, with the distinctive Croydon skyline in between.

Visitors are always welcome at the club where an operator will be happy to show you around.

For more information call Steve Codd on 07974 866829 or visit www.southlondongliding.co.uk