Monday, 6/23/97 UCLA aquatic center helps beat heat RECREATION:
Escape to the ocean, where classes, club teams, exercise and fun
all come together
By Rocky Salmon Daily Bruin Staff As the hot sun beats down on
UCLA’s hilly campus in the summer, many students wish to be down at
the ocean in the cold water. UCLA has just such a place for Bruins
to go when they are feeling hot and want to exercise or just want
to have fun on the beach. The Marina Aquatic Center (MAC) is 20
minutes from the heart of UCLA and offers many exclusive
activities. For several years, the center has been home to UCLA
aquatic clubs. Last year, the crew team was the conference
champion, and the sailing team made it to the finals in Hawaii and
also raced in a tournament in France. The surfing club has traveled
to such places as San Diego’s Blacks Beach and Huntington Beach
over the past several years. The competitive teams practice there
in the fall. The MAC staff has information about the schedule at
(310) 823-0048. The MAC not only offers many chances to participate
in club sports- it also has recreational classes. "We provide all
of the activities for the UCLA community, such as sailing, rowing,
kayaking, windsurfing and surfing," said Brian Pogue, senior
sailing instructor and Youth Programs coordinator. Sailing has
become a popular sport, one where you can kick back and soak up
some rays. At the MAC, there are several different levels of
sailing and numerous types. The MAC offers sailing in Catamarans,
Coronados and Holders, and each class is taught by an instructor.
The cost for an introductory course in most of the boating classes
ranges from $60 to $100. If you want a sport that allows you to
travel, then kayaking may be your cup of tea. There will be
kayaking expeditions to La Jolla Cove, to explore kelp beds with
sea lions, and to the white sands of Pismo Beach. Every Thursday at
the MAC, the windsurfing club meets, has a barbeque, then hits the
waters for night time surfing. However, there are still beginning
classes on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for those who have never
windsurfed. The classes provide the windsurfing boards, so you do
not have to buy your own. The surfing and rowing classes are for
beginners and there is no traveling involved. In rowing, the
participant can choose between sculling or sweep rowing. Sculling
is the traditional rowing style, while sweep rowing is rowing with
three to seven other members. Surfing classes take place on
Saturday and Sunday mornings. These are basic classes for those who
have never surfed before. The Marina Aquatic Center offers
activities that some UCLA students have never even considered
trying for themselves. However, with the temperature quickly
rising, it’s good to know that only 20 minutes away is a center
dedicated to water sports, where you can jet ski or surf your cares
away. Previous Daily Bruin Story Despite their financial burdens,
UCLA still a hardworking crew, May 16, 1996