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There are a few very good reasons why thousands of UCSB students are involved in sports and recreation, whether it's the residence hall softball IM team, weekend bicycle tours, noontime swimming, ultimate frisbee tournaments, or some serious power lifting in the gym. Physical activity can help relieve stress and loosen up those tense muscles; clear the brain-fog caused by too much studying, and offer great opportunities for meeting people and making friends.
ON CAMPUS
Adventure Programs
This program offers a wide variety of outdoor adventure activities such as ocean kayaking, rock climbing, a state of the art indoor climbing center, SCUBA diving, backpacking, canoeing, wilderness survival, wilderness first aid, and camping. Private classes and trips are available on request. Individuals can go beyond their perceived limits and groups/clubs can improve communication skills and team spirit while having fun at the UCSB Ropes Course. Check the current Leisure Review for class and trip schedules. For registration information call 893-3738 or go to www.recreation.ucsb.edu.
Equipment Check-Out Room
The Recreation Department rents, for free, softball bats, basketballs, volleyballs, tennis racquets, etc. All you need is your Student ID Card. Robertson Gym 1312; 893-2418.
Intercollegiate Sports
UCSB has an extensive athletic program. Intercollegiate teams include baseball, and golf for men; softball for women; and men's and women's teams in basketball, track, gymnastics, cross country, tennis, water polo, swimming, soccer, and volleyball. Intercollegiate Athletes Building; 893-3291.
Living Arts Classes
These non-credit courses enrich your academic schedule and range from guitar, wine tasting, sailing, and martial arts to tennis, fencing, and dance. Consult the Leisure Review for quarterly schedules, or contact Recreation; RecCen 1102; 893-3738.
Recreational Facilities
The Exercise & Sport Studies offers a year-round program of academic classes and sports-related activities, which meet the needs of students of all ability levels including the physically challenged. Academic programs include four minors: Athletic Coaching, Exercise & Health Science, Fitness Instruction, and Sport Management, as well as a curriculum of basic physical education instruction (see the Schedule of Classes for information). Recreation offers an Adventure Program, 17 Sport Clubs, Intramural Sports, and a variety of open recreation opportunities.
The Recreation Center (RecCen)
The RecCen is available for daily use and has an aquatics complex, fitness center, racquetball and squash courts, as well as two gymnasiums. Students may use the facility with a current Student ID; Faculty/Staff memberships are also available. Additional facilities include campus pool, Rob Gym, Ropes Course, state of the art indoor climbing center, aerobics studio, gymnastic area, sailing center, and 24 tennis courts. Open Recreation facilities are available for drop-in use throughout the week. Hours fluctuate each week due to availability. A new schedule is posted every Monday morning at the Intramural Office and the Physical Activities Department offices at the RecCen. Remember to bring your Student ID Card; 893-3738 or 893-2181; www.recreation.ucsb.edu.
Recreational Sports
One of the most popular activities on campus is the Intramural sports program. Over 17,000 students, faculty, and staff participate. Interest, not skill, is the only prerequisite for the beginning, intermediate, and advanced leagues. Rec Sports also offers open recreation (see Recreational Facilities). Sports offered in the program include bowling, basketball, badminton, tennis, volleyball, softball, flag football, floor hockey, roller hockey, 5K and 10K runs, golf, sports trivia, soccer, inner-tube water polo, regular water polo, squash, racquetball, and ultimate frisbee. Many student employees are needed each year in the Recreational Sports program (see Money and Jobs section for details). RecCen 1110; 893-3253.
Ropes Course
Fun, team building, excitement, group cooperation, and challenges are just a few of the benefits of the UCSB Ropes Course. This unique adventure is specifically set up for groups to have fun while learning to work together and is a great way for members of a group to get to know each other. For reservation information, call UCSB Adventure Programs at 893-3737, visit RecCen 1129, or see our website at www.par.ucsb.edu.
Sport Clubs
The UCSB Sport Clubs offer intercollegiate athletic competition to all interested UCSB students in the following sports: Bowling, Cycling, Equestrian Polo, Fencing, Women's Field Hockey, Lacrosse, Rowing, Men's Roller Hockey, Rugby, Sailing, Snow Ski/Snowboard, Surfing, Triathlon, Ultimate, and Tournament Water Ski. Unless noted, teams are for both men and women. No experience necessary. Sport Clubs Office, RecCen 1127; 893-3771. Sport clubs website: www.par.ucsb.edu/recsports/sportclubs/
Wellness & Fitness Institute
Fitness testing, personal training, and consultations are available to students, faculty, and staff. Services include aerobic fitness and percent fat testing. Individual weight loss plans and information on starting your own exercise program are provided via consultations. Robertson Gym 1125; 893-4000.
OFF CAMPUS
Biking
Santa Barbara is bike friendly, with extensive wide bike lanes and one way streets. The hills and back country in the Santa Barbara area are filled with many great biking trails of varying difficulty. Detailed trail books and maps are available in local bookstores and bike shops.
Boating
Boat launching in the harbor: Harbormaster's Office (564-5531). Sailing lessons: UCSB (893-2181) or private instruction. Rentals: Cachuma Lake Boat Rentals (688-4040), Sailing Center of Santa Barbara (962-2826), or Zuma Charters (965-2267).
Bowling
Zodo's Bowling and Beyond (967-0128): 5925 Calle Real in Goleta. Open 24 hours. Call ahead for availability.
Fishing
Freshwater: Lake Cachuma, Davy Brown Creek, Manzana River, and Santa Ynez River: stocked with trout when the temperature and water are ideal. Required permits: Lake Cachuma Marina, some liquor stores, or K-Mart. Sea Landing Inc. (963-3564): sportfishing boats, scuba diving boats to Channel Islands, whale watching cruises and Channel Island hiking excursions. Evening cruises and twilight fishing trips offered during the summer.
Golfing
There are several public courses in the area, both regulation nine-hole courses and full-size 18-hole courses. Check the yellow pages or check online for listings and information about lessons or equipment.
Hang Gliding
Santa Barbara is a popular place for hang gliders with its mountains, cliffs, and beautiful views. For information on lessons and equipment rental, consult the yellow pages or search online.
Hiking
The hills in the Santa Barbara area are filled with many great hiking trails. Trail books and maps are available in local bookstores and sport shops, or visit www.santabarbarahikes.com.
Horseback Riding
Check the yellow pages for stables for rentals, boarding, and lessons. One popular stable is Circle Bar B Guest Ranch: Rides cost $30/person for 1.5 hours or $65/person for a half day; call in advance for reservations; 1800 Refugio Rd (North of UCSB on Highway 101); 968-3901.
Jet Skiing
Jet skiers are often seen at Goleta Beach since there is a convenient ramp for lightweight equipment. Check with local authorities concerning current jet ski rules and regulations. Consult the yellow pages or online for rentals.
Polo
Watch world-class polo and special events April through October at the Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club. Learn to play polo with the UCSB intercollegiate team or through the Pacific Coast Youth Polo Association student program. Contact the Polo School Instructor at 745-5959 regarding year round student arena program; 3300 Via Real, Carpinteria; 684-6683; website: www.sbpolo.com.
City of Santa Barbara Parks & Recreation
The City of Santa Barbara invites UCSB students to explore the wide variety of facilities, activities and open space offered through its Parks and Recreation Department. From art, dance and fitness classes to golf, tennis, swimming, sports leagues and exercise programs, you will find positive, invigorating and healthful experiences at many of our downtown locations. Plus, you can learn new moves like tango and salsa. Or slip on your Speedo and swim laps at the outdoor, heated, 50-meter Los Banos Pool. Gain some strokes and play tennis on one of the 28 public courts located throughout the city. The city's 59 parks total nearly 1800 acres and range from small neighborhood pocket parks to large open space preserves. Hike, bike, walk and enjoy. For descriptions, features and park locations go to www.santabarbaraca.gov/Visitor/Things/ Parks_and_Beaches/ or stop by one of our offices and pick up a City Parks map.
There are also many great spaces for rent. Choose from a wide range of affordable indoor and outdoor facilities available for weddings, receptions, picnics, barbecues, meetings, parties, and sports events. For more info call or visit: Administrative office: 620 Laguna Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101; Carrillo Recreation Center, 100 East Carrillo Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101; Cabrillo Pavilion Arts Center, 1118 E. Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93103, 564-5418; www.sbparksandrecreation.com
Santa Barbara YMCA
The Santa Barbara YMCA offers: aerobic and fitness classes; an Aerobic Training Center loaded with Stairmasters, Lifecycles and more; a full Cybex and free-weight gym; an indoor pool; 7 racquetball courts; 2 tennis courts; and a full-size gym. The YMCA also offers after school programs and runs a licensed preschool. Stop by for a complimentary tour. Hours: Mon-Fri, 6am-9:30pm; Sat, 6:30am-7pm; Sun, 11am-6pm. 36 Hitchcock Way; 687-7727.
Scuba Diving
People come from all over the world to dive around the Channel Islands. There is also a good beach diving at Refugio State Beach and at Tajiguas, north of Refugio on Highway 101. Mohawk Reef, near Isla Vista, is accessible by small boat (or by foot for the diehard-it's quite a haul with heavy equipment). Check the yellow pages or online for rentals, instruction, and boat dives.
Surfing
The UCSB/Isla Vista area offers a wide variety of surfing locations. Point breaks include Campus Point and Devereux; beach breaks can be found at Sands Beach and all along Del Playa. A short drive north on Highway 101 will lead you to many fine surfing beaches including Refugio Point. A few miles south toward Santa Barbara is Arroyo Burro Beach (at the foot of Las Positas Road) and for the hard-core surfer, the classic Rincon Point lies at the S.B./Ventura county line off of Highway 101 (Bates Road exit).
Windsurfing
A beginner's best bet is the harbor between Stearn's Wharf and Sea Landing. Leadbetter Beach is usually the best area for Santa Barbara's prevailing wind conditions but East Beach, Arroyo Burro Beach, and Isla Vista are occasionally good. Surf sailing is done at the foot of California Street near the Fairgrounds in Ventura. Check the yellow pages or online for lessons and equipment rentals.
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