At PLNU, we have the privilege of living right next to the ocean in the world-renowned city of San Diego. Staying active proves to be extremely beneficial for students’ overall health, especially during the stress of busy class schedules and other activities. So, how can on-campus students stay active here at PLNU?
1. SURFING: An exclusive feature of PLNU is the accessibility to the ocean, including great surf spots at Sunset Cliffs, Ocean Beach and Pacific Beach. All a student needs is a surfboard, and depending on the time of year, a wetsuit. With the water temperature staying around the low 60s in winter seasons, student surfers should wear a wetsuit. You can borrow a wetsuit and a Wave Storm (AKA foamy) from the ARC or from a friend in your hall. Then go down to Young Hall for good access to the water. Climbing down the cliff may be tricky for beginners, but watching others do it can help. There is also a staircase that leads down to the water right off of the start of Sunset Cliffs Blvd. Once you are down on the beach there are two main breaks to surf at: Abs and Subs. Abs is a little south when facing the ocean from the beach and Subs is north. Abs usually has a local crew of older folks and Subs usually is made up of students from PLNU. Surfing provides great cardio.
Jonathan Bellamy, senior nutrition major, says “Surfing is a great way to stay in shape. It keeps you motivated to go out catch more waves and improve health. Every time I improve I want to go out more. Nothing beats the 15 second longboard ride at Sunset Cliffs. Surfing is one of my favorite things to do.”
2. RUNNING: Running is a great way for on-campus students to stay active. The track is open to anyone before 2:30 p.m. and after 5:30 p.m. on weekdays, and all day on weekends if there is no event using the track. If you do not want to run around in the same circle over and over again, you can run along Sunset Cliffs, with a scenic route to run by yourself or with a friend.
3. TENNIS: Tennis is an activity a student can learn to do for life. The PLNU tennis courts are available anytime except 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on tennis team practices days. If it’s night time, you will have to ask an intramural staff in the gym to turn the lights on. PLNU offers beginning tennis as a PE course as well.
4. WEIGHT TRAINING AT THE SHED: Located west of the PLNU track is the shed and the pull up bar. Weight training outside provides another way of being active on our scenic campus. A simple weight training program is a rotation between pullups on the pullup bar, pushups on the grass and sit-ups on the grass until fatigue.
5. BASKETBALL AT HENDRICKS, YOUNG HALL AND GOLDEN GYM: Students can play basketball at three locations: Hendricks Hall, Young Hall and the Golden Gym. During a sunny day, students can shoot hoops outside. If it is a rainy day, basketball is a go-to after 6:30 P.M. in the gym, given there is no sports event. Whether it is pickup games or just shooting around, basketball gives excellent cardio and builds community. Luke Pope, junior applied health major and Harry Han, senior engineering major, play basketball three to five times a week. Pope says, “Basketball gets me wired!”
Written By: Derek Bonnema
