Courtesy photos.
CAMARILLO — With their kayak paddles in hand, CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Health Science students clustered around Channel Islands Boating Center (CIBC) Lead Paddle Instructor and CSUCI 2023 graduate Brooke Rogers as she gave them an idea of what to expect out on the water.
“Our starfish just stick to rocks and they’ll be like ‘Yo, keep going,’” Rogers said. “Pelicans might try to dive-bomb you. They’re pretty crazy, but they’re cool.”
The paddle briefing was part of a Health Science course called Health 300: Nutrition, Wellness & Exercise—with a twist. This spring, the course was offered in partnership with the Channel Islands Boating Center located at the Channel Islands Harbor.
“With this class, we do yoga, Pilates, circuit training, etc.,” said Health Science Lecturer Melissa Gutierrez-Jimenez. “At 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.”
The pilot program was so successful that she plans to teach it again in the Fall semester.
“My students loved the experience,” Gutierrez-Jimenez said. “Some 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.”
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.
“We 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—especially for your head space during finals,” she said.
Health Science major Edgar Allen Dungo had not had experience on the water and was hooked on day one of the class.
“I’ve lived here all my life, and this is the first time I’ve had a boating experience and I really enjoy it,” Dungo said. “Doing this with my class is a really cool experience.”
Coordinator of Boating and Community Programs Kelsey Winterrowd launched the collaboration by contacting the CSUCI 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 CSUCI students with this off-campus gem.
“This programming is free for CSUCI students—it’s part of their tuition,” Winterrowd said. “It’s amazing how many of our participants look out at the harbor at all the boats in the marina and think they can’t afford to participate, but we are in a space where students and the community can experience the water.”
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.
“I’m not used to paddling, but if we capsize, we capsize,” Dungo said. “It will be fun either way.”
Besides partnering with CSUCI, 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: https://www.ciboating.org
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY CHANNEL ISLANDS — California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) is Ventura County’s only public university and opened in 2002 as the 23rd campus in the CSU system serving the regions of Ventura, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles counties, as well as the entire state. CSUCI is located between Camarillo and the Oxnard Plain, midway between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles and 25 miles north from Malibu.
The campus is nestled against the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains and is a 10-minute drive from the Pacific Ocean. With more than 5,600 students, 24,500 alumni, and 1,000 employees, CSUCI is poised to grow in size and distinction, while maintaining one of the most student-focused learning environments in public higher education with more than 90 academic degrees, teaching credentials, certificates, and professional and community programs.
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