A fresh semester at VIU means a new batch of Campus Rec. activities for students. Registration for intramural leagues and outdoor recreation events began yesterday and sign-up for fitness programs will take place on Monday. Here is a look ahead at the events planned for this semester.
Plenty of intramural sports are offered for 2013, including the return of indoor soccer, mixed volleyball, and 3-on-3 basketball from last semester. A relaxed badminton league is added to the docket for Wednesday nights and will feature a mix of individual and team matches.
Hockey fans can get their fix by signing up for the Noon Hour Ice Hockey league, taking place every Monday at lunchtime. Players are required to bring a helmet, stick, skates, and gloves, and Campus Rec. emphasizes the league is non-competitive. “If you think you are Sidney Crosby this league is not for you,” says the intramural website.
The first intramural tournament of the semester is the second co-ed dodgeball event of the year, taking place Feb. 13. If ice hockey isn’t your specialty, try the road hockey tournament on Mar. 16 at the Bowen Park lacrosse box. Organizers hope to garner enough players to have competitive and recreational divisions, with the top teams competing for the Campus Rec. Cup.
Later in the semester students can participate in the slow pitch and beach volleyball tournaments, or the VIU Amazing Race event on Apr. 6. Tournaments cost $30–60 per team.
Outdoor Recreation offers several winter activities this semester, including a variety of trips up Mt. Washington. Four all-day cross-country skiing events will take students over resort trails, and includes an introductory lesson. Snowshoe daytrips are offered to those interested in trekking the mountain or Forbidden Plateau.
On Feb. 23, Intramurals is hosting VIU’s first-ever downhill ski and snowboard trip at Mt. Washington, and for $90 students receive their transportation, lift ticket, an optional lesson, and equipment rentals ($65 for students bringing their own gear). An overnight avalanche awareness trip on Mar. 23 will inform students on how to detect potential avalanche terrains and to conduct a beacon search.
Hiking and water-based activities continue in the Spring semester, with the first hike around Notch Hill in Nanoose Bay taking place Jan. 12, with a Horne Lake caving trip following on Jan. 20. The first Tofino surfing adventure is scheduled for Feb. 23, with six more events taking place until June.
For those looking to become an expert in sea kayaking, register for the five-day Level 1 certification course taking place in May. Experience is recommended for passing the course, but not necessary, and all equipment is provided.
Students looking to burn off some holiday pounds can register for a variety of fitness classes again this semester. New for 2013 is Party Dance N’ Groovin’, hosted by reigning Rock the Boat dance champion, AJ Kule Kambere.
If you’re pressed for time, try one of the lunchtime classes offered throughout the semester, including TRX workouts, Power Punch kickboxing, Lunchtime Bootcamp, or Karen Sprott’s 10km Running Clinic beginning Feb. 5.
For more information or to register for an event or class, visit <www.viu.ca/campusrec>. Be sure to check out the Campus Rec. facebook page for event updates, healthy living tips, and more.