By Shelby Hancock |Asst Sports Editor|
Save big bucks and have a blast this summer by renting summer sports equipment from the Student Recreation and Fitness Center.
The Rec Center Outdoors program offers a variety of low cost summer sports rentals for CSUSB students.
The kayaking package ranges from $22 to $43 depending on single or tandem kayak, snorkeling packages range from four to six dollars, surf packages are $25 and paddle board rentals vary from $12 to $16.
Kayaking is pretty simple; all you need is a kayak, a paddle, and a life jacket.
For beginners, the beach or bay is a great place to start with a leisure paddle across the water.
“Options for expert kayakers include entering races, completing multi-day trips and tackling white water,” according to Diana Gerstacker of Active Times.
Although it seems pretty easy, experts at smart-start-kayaking offer some advice.
“I always encourage them to learn a few of the kayaking basics—you know, the beginners stuff…before hitting the water,” according to smart-start-kayaking.
The next beach activity to try this summer is surfing. Although it may look easy, it’s not.
Many different skills are required to surf, such as speed, agility and balance.
Surfing is “a dynamic sport which can be practiced by people at all levels of ability,” according to wisegeek.com.
All that is required for this fun sport is a wave and a surfboard.
The next summer activity to try is snorkeling.
Snorkeling can be done at any beach, all you need is a mask and a snorkel and you might enjoy the use of fins.
Participants put the mask on so they are able to see what lies on the ocean floor.
The snorkel helps the swimmer breathe without loosing sight of the marine life underneath them.
“Snorkeling is a very enjoyable and easy sport,” according to tropicalsnorkeling.com.
Although it’s meant to be fun, there are some things a snorkeler needs to know before trying it.
“Snorkeling without some basic skills, good equipment, and knowledge about the dangers and conditions of the ocean, a first time snorkeling experience can be a bit miserable, scary and potentially dangerous,” continued tropicalsnorkeling.com.
The last summer activity is paddle boarding.
Stand-up paddle boarding offers a relaxing and fun way to play on the water and can be done on lakes, rivers or oceans.
Paddle boarding emerged as an ancient form of surfing and has once more become popular.
One of the many great things about paddle boarding is it offers a full body work out, while practicing balance.
Another great benefit of paddle boarding are the views you get to experience.
“[Paddle boarding is] a way for people to enjoy oceans, lakes, rivers and bays using a one-bladed paddle and standing on a longer and wider surf board with a bit more volume,” according to paddlediva.com.
“Since you stand at your full height, you can enjoy unique views of everything from sea creatures to what’s on the horizon,” according to rei.com.
Only minimal gear is required for this sport: a paddle board, paddle, flotation device and some sunblock.
Make the short drive out to the beach this summer, but before you do, head to the Rec Center to rent some equipment to try a fun summer sport.
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