With the semester off to a snowy start, signing up for Campus Rec activities might not seem as enticing as when the sun is shining on a balmy spring day. Though the weather might seem undecided lately, bad weather shouldn’t have to mean compromising your New Year’s resolution to get healthy. The spring 2016 Campus Rec calendar is chock full of activities that will inspire anyone to remain active through this mishmash weather.
Campus Rec offers four core options for the aspiring individual—daily activities with the Outdoor Recreation Program, weekly classes for the more routine-oriented, intramural sports, and multi-purpose rooms for the independent athlete. They also have Wellness Wednesdays, with mental health and healthy living activities, and programs offered to students throughout the semester.
When it comes to outdoor recreation, Campus Rec offers activities like caving, snow shoeing (perfect for this time of year), waterfall hiking, kayak rolling sessions, surfing day trips, and much more. Best of all, the transportation, instruction, and equipment is provided—all you have to do is show up with an open mind, ready to have fun. Another perk is that the programs run regardless of the weather, which means you won’t lose your money. They may adapt the activity to weather conditions, but you won’t have to face the disappointment that comes with cancelled plans. If you need to cancel, go to the front desk at the VIU gym to do so, but make sure to cancel seven calendar days in advance in order to get a full refund. Activities aren’t restricted to students and faculty of VIU, and prices range from $30 to $60 for students, and a bit more for community members, with some activities being free. You can even bring a friend or family member with you—just remember to check with the instructor the Friday before the class runs.
For regularly scheduled classes, Campus Rec offers a wide range of high and low intensity weekly workouts. With many of them happening from Monday to Thursday, there’s no
need to compromise your Friday night plans, with health and fitness to boot. Finding something you love by trying classes like Beginner Aikido, Zumba, Circus Yoga, and the Butts and Guts program just might be the key to maintaining your goals.
Joining an intramural team can be a great way to meet new people at the beginning of the semester. Anyone can register as a team or join an active team. Whether competitive or purely recreational, intramurals include indoor soccer, volleyball, and basketball teams, with tournaments like dodgeball and road hockey interspersed thoughout the semester. Intramurals on campus are accessible to the public as well as students. Though registration is free, the use of the gym requires a small fee of $25 for students, $35 for faculty members, and $50 for members of the community.
If going by your own terms is more your thing, the VIU gym is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the weekends, with court rentals, multi-purpose rooms, and locker and towel rentals available. Students must present a valid VIU student card to use equipment, and user passes are free during enrollment. Alumni can purchase a membership at a discounted rate with their alumni card, and community members can also purchase a membership.
Class enrollment spaces are limited and going fast, so make sure to sign up either online or in person at the VIU gym front desk in bldg. 190. Make sure to bring your student ID. For more information, please visit viu.ca.