Outdoor Adventures brings surfing and wet suits to Campus Life Lawn
Outdoor Adventures (OA) held an Ocean Workshop on Tuesday to encourage students to learn about surfing, environmental action and water conservation.
OA holds events like this throughout the year available to all students. The club encourages others to go outside and explore in all the biomes, such as the ocean.
“Outdoor Adventures is an organization on campus that tries to foster students into the outdoors and create spaces for experiencing the outdoors in ways that bring glory to God,” said OA intern Katie Hatzfeld. “We wanted to bring the essence of the outdoors to campus in a way that was accessible.”
Hatzfeld explained the goal behind the workshop was to provide an option for students who might not have the resources to go on an outdoors weekend trip.
Surfing was a theme of the night, and made a big splash at the event through booths and surfing demonstrations. Students had the option to take part in one of four dryland surfing lessons, with boards on the grass. All skill levels were welcomed at the workshop.
Some students had never surfed before, but said they found the event inspirational.
“I feel ready to surf,” said surfing newbie Karis Augustyn, a junior kinesiology major, after participating in the quick tutorial.
The logistics booth was lined with wetsuits, drawing in curious passersby. All of the available charts displayed types of boards and their anatomy, along with tutorials on waxing. OA members also taught how to read a wave correctly, and the types of waves a surfer can face in different locations.
Appreciating the ocean and its surroundings comes with challenges that seems to reach out of an individual’s realm.
The California Coastal Commission does on-hand research on the levels of marine debris and found that more than 817 different species are harmed by human sources. The marine animals are being suffocated by the plastic that continues to plague their home.
Because of this, the event also tried to teach students how to surf while practicing environmentally sustainable. OA says they are passionate about water conservation and the impact small moments have.
“For me it’s been learning to take a second look and act on it, even if it’s not my own trash,” said Hatzfeld
Keeping the beaches clean is crucial to marine life because the tide will drag the trash into harm’s way.
The Ocean Workshop focused on surfing and water conservation; however, one goal was to empower other students to take similar action. The workshop provided practical ways that APU can take initiative in daily life. One movement that OA strives to live by is Leave No Trace, an organization that lists seven principles that can apply to appreciating our surroundings.
“APU can make a difference in more than just the outdoors, but also the city,” said Corynn Craig, a senior English major and a member of OA.
The seven principles encourage leaving no trace by preparation and awareness, a tactic that can be used even in the city of Azusa.
OA intends to host more workshops on campus with different themes. According to OA members, students with no experience in outdoor hobbies should not let their lack of knowledge stop them from attending.
“Outdoor Adventures caters to the beginner,” said Luke Gregerson, a junior liberal studies student and OA member. “Outdoor Adventures isn’t all about climbing, there’s other factors for everyone.”