Aquatic Adventures
Center Activities is the regional boating safety center for the North Coast and is supported by the California Department of Boating and Waterways. The Department allocates funds for boating facilities, boating safety education and boating law enforcement throughout California. Center Activities' aquatics equipment inventory is also funded by Cal - Boating to enhance boating safety education in northern California.
The aquatic adventures program provides a variety of boating instruction courses in sea kayaking, surfing, sailing, windsurfing and river kayaking. Trip logistics such as location, transportation, equipment, instruction and guides, are all organized through the Aquatic Adventures Program.
Water Safety Requirements: To participate in any Aquatics class you must be "water safe". You must have the ability to swim a short distance using any stroke and be able to tread water for five minutes. If you are unsure of your ability to complete the above skills, you must make an appointment through the Arcata Community Pool to be tested.
Mandatory Pre-Trip Meetings: Most Aquatics programs have a mandatory pre-trip meeting. The pre-trip meeting is an important part of the trip as it allows opportunity to meet other students as well as meet the instructors. The meeting will cover instructional material, trip logistics, equipment needs, and assess the skill level of each participant. If you are unable to attend, please call our office before the meeting occurs so that our staff can plan accordingly.
Transportation: Many of the aquatics classes include transportation in one of the University Center's 12-passenger vans. Some courses require participants to provide their own transportation to the aquatic location. By carpooling, it helps keep the cost down for some of these activities. Transportation logistics, including carpool arrangements, will be arranged at the pre-trip meeting.
Equipment & Rental Program: All aquatic classes include use of boats, boating equipment, personal floatation devices (PFDs), spray jackets and Farmer John wetsuits. Surfing classes include hooded full-body wetsuits, surfboards and booties. Aquatic equipment, not scheduled for use by a Center Activities class, is available through our rental program to qualified persons. To ensure user safety, to maintain quality and to care for the equipment, there are checkout requirements on all aquatic equipment. Reservations are suggested as equipment is rented on a first-come, first-served basis. Rental fees must be paid at the time of reservation. Deposits are required for all rentals.
Please Note: No refunds will be given within 7 days prior to the activity. Refund or transfer requests more than 7 days prior will be assessed a 25% or $10 administration fee, whichever is greater. Classes are cancelled if the minimum enrollment is not met. There are no makeup sessions if you miss a class. Please remember to allow ample time for travel.
News & Events
Faster, steeper, higher, deeper - the Banff Mountain Film Festival Radical Reels tour is coming to Arcata!
Catch the steepest and deepest in high-adrenaline outdoor sport films when the 2009 Radical Reels Tour comes to Arcata on September 23, 2009. Hurtle down steep untouched powder, feel the cold spray of stomach-dropping kayak first descents, fly high with the world?s wildest BASE jumpers, and much more in extreme mountain sports.
