June 21, 2023 - With their kayak paddles in hand, (91视频) Health Science students clustered around Channel Islands Boating Center (CIBC) Lead Paddle Instructor and 91视频 2023 graduate Brooke Rogers as she gave them an idea of what to expect out on the water.
鈥淥ur starfish just stick to rocks and they鈥檒l be like 鈥榊o, keep going,鈥欌�� Rogers said. 鈥淧elicans might try to dive-bomb you. They鈥檙e pretty crazy, but they鈥檙e cool.鈥�
The paddle briefing was part of a Health Science course called Health 300: Nutrition, Wellness & Exercise鈥攚ith a twist. This spring, the course was offered in partnership with the Channel Islands Boating Center located at the Channel Islands Harbor.
鈥淲ith this class, we do yoga, Pilates, circuit training, etc.,鈥� said Health Science Lecturer Melissa Gutierrez-Jimenez. 鈥淎t the boating center, we added kayaking and paddleboarding, which are total body exercises. When we get back in class, we dissect and analyze all these body movements.鈥�
The pilot program was so successful that she plans to teach it again in the Fall semester.
鈥淢y students loved the experience,鈥� Gutierrez-Jimenez said. 鈥淪ome of them have never been out on the water like that, so it was a first for many of them. I also thought it was a great way for me to engage with my students outside of the classroom, and for them to understand that movement and physical activity can be fun.鈥�
Health Science major Jules Bensinger-Ruiz is a water sports veteran having played water polo, kayaked and paddle boarded, but found these sports in the context of a health class was a different and rewarding experience.
鈥淲e are a health science class that focuses on nutrition and exercise and what that does for your body and overall holistic health, so going out on the water to show us one on one what exercise can do for us is great鈥攅specially for your head space during finals,鈥� she said.
Health Science major Edgar Allen Dungo had not had experience on the water and was hooked on day one of the class.
鈥淚鈥檝e lived here all my life, and this is the first time I鈥檝e had a boating experience and I really enjoy it,鈥� Dungo said. 鈥淒oing this with my class is a really cool experience.鈥�
Coordinator of Boating and Community Programs Kelsey Winterrowd launched the collaboration by contacting the 91视频 Health Science program to suggest the partnership. As one of only five CSU campuses with a boating center, Winterrowd wanted to take every opportunity to acquaint 91视频 students with this off-campus gem.
鈥淭his programming is free for 91视频 students鈥攊t鈥檚 part of their tuition,鈥� Winterrowd said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 amazing how many of our participants look out at the harbor at all the boats in the marina and think they can鈥檛 afford to participate, but we are in a space where students and the community can experience the water.鈥�
After briefing the class on water safety and sea critters, Rogers and other staff members stood on the dock and helped class members into kayaks and the students paddled off into the harbor.
鈥淚鈥檓 not used to paddling, but if we capsize, we capsize,鈥� Dungo said. 鈥淚t will be fun either way.鈥�
Besides partnering with 91视频, the Channel Islands Boating Center offers lessons and summer camps to the public. To learn more about summer camps for kids and water sports for adults, visit: .