Trot your way through Baja on Horseback!

On Veteran’s Day Weekend (Nov. 24 - 27), Outback Adventures will be running a horseback riding trip down to Baja. As a participant on this excursion, you will stay at the lovely La Bellota Ranch and will experience a glimpse of what it would be like to live in the Wild West. You will spend your days riding your horses along grassland trails and your nights eating scrumptious Mexican food in front of a roaring fire. Plus, you’ll get to see your fellow participants in chaps.

Come join us for a wranglin’ good time!

For more information or to sign up, visit: https://recreation.ucsd.edu/outback-adventures/trips-and-classes/horseback-riding.html

FESTIVUS 2011

Each year, the UCSD Masters Swimming Program hosts a one of kind of event, the first Saturday of December, right here at the Canyonview Aquatics Center.  This year it's on December 3rd.  It's called the FESTIVUS WORKOUT.  It's history is deep within the past T.V. comedy hit, SEINFELD.  If you're not familiar with the program, FESTIVUS was a holiday one of the character's Father started in lieu of the other December Holidays.  It's basis is centered around an aluminum pole (pictured), Feats of Strength, the Airing of Grievances and Festivus Miracles.  We added our own twist by centering our Festivus around a swimming workout followed by a pancake breakfast for all to enjoy.

At the beginning of the workout, every one is encouraged to scream out everything that bugs them...now this gets to be a little loud, but it's interesting to note here, that an enitre minute is allowed for the AIRING OF GREIVANCES, and after about :20 seconds, many people just run out of things to complain about...really!  Following this sometimes humbling expereience, a short warm up ensues followed by 20 different challenges (Feats of Strength) that each lane of swimmers has to complete before going on with the workout.  Within the workout, are many opportunities to see and feel different Festivus Miracles...they rise to the surface (so to speak), throughout the workout.

After an hour and a half of this tom-foolery, we congregate poolside for pancakes and bragging rights for those who completed their Feats of Strength successfully.  So, if you're ready to get in shape, and really hit the holiday season with something different, then our FESTIVUS WORKOUT might just be right up your alley!

WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT!!!

Our very own UC San Diego Masters Sports program has more going on than just swimming, running and turbo training...it's called social-izing!  Even though we host 28 professionally coached workouts each week (that's 1,456 workouts per year!!!!!), it's important to remember that the workouts are filled with people with common interests.  That makes for a very interesting mix of athletes who train and socialize together throughout the year. 

Our swimming program trains at one of the best aquatics centers in the United States.  Boasting two 50 meter competitive swimming pools, the Canyonview Aquatics Center is host to our swimming program, as well as the UCSD Men's and Women's Swimming and Water Polo teams.  To top it off, there is ONE GREAT BIG JACUZZI (pictured) that offers a refreshing pause to all of our athletes!  Yeh!  The Jacuzzi truly is the ‘BUZZ POINT' of the aquatics center.  Swimmers and triathletes alike gather both before and after scheduled workouts, to exchange ideas and trade training stories.  So, don't think of our workouts as just a workout.  Think of us as a great opportunity to retool your energy and rehash your life.  Train hard and smart...then head off to the Jacuzzi for a moment of relaxing therapy!

Our Blue Smurf

Who’s the dude behind all of those cool videos being posted on the Recclass facebook page? Who is the guy with the blue face behind the lens?  To us, over at RecClass central, he is know as Smurf, a beloved Knock Around Kids’ Camp counselor. But, stepping outside of the summer months Smurf, a.k.a. Nathan Murphy, is a senior Visual Arts major (minor in business) who is a whirlwind of creative energy and innovative business scheming. 

How did Nathan and his size 16 pair of basketball shoes land on UCSD’s terra firma? Originally from Spokane, WA but high schooled in Mesa, AZ Smurf was the whiz kid of his high school’s athletic program playing basketball, volleyball and pretty much anything that involved projectiles.  He was All-State on his HS basketball team, a status which showered him with offers to seven different Division I schools.  Unfortunately, the big guy broke his right elbow before he had signed on the dotted line and the Division I suitors dropped him like a hot potato so off to UC San Diego he went and the rest is history.

And just what does he do with his time when he’s not working for Rec Classes as a Program Assistant and basketball instructor? Smurf is all over that project as he juggles life on campus as an R.A. in Eleanor Roosevelt’s  International House with all of his other outlets including his newest passion, Gymnastics . “I like learning to feel comfortable with being uncomfortable and feeling in control with being slightly out of control,” he said. But for now his big shoes and big presence make for a big impression over in the land of Rec Classes.  Try out one of Smurf’s basketball classes offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-5 p.m. or join him in the South Balcony for some crazy fun gymnastics.

Recreation Time!

Have you signed up for that pilates class? Or maybe the martial arts class? Well, it’s never too late, FitLife and Rec Classes have just begun! Make sure to check out all of the class listings on the website recreation.ucsd.edu or pick up one of our Rec Magazines located in the blue stands all over campus. Don’t forget to sign up for an Outback Adventure outing as well!

Recreation is all over campus so make sure to drop by one of our many locations! We have a wide array of activities to offer in order to ensure we are able to meet everyone’s Recreation needs. Are you a table tennis enthusiast? If so, make sure to check out our table tennis located in RIMAC. Or are you more of rock climbing person? Well, if so then stop by our climbing wall located in CanyonView? It turns out CanyonView has much more to offer than just the magnificent swimming pools.