Wright State has a great deal of recreational activities available to those seeking to be healthy, become physically active and have fun. The outdoor activities that WSU offers can provide enjoyable experiences that are adventurous and be used as tools for development, team building and relaxation. The Recreational Kayak class and the Stand Up Paddle Board class are looking for participants. Both classes are for beginners.
“Kayaking is a fun outdoor recreation activity that helps promote a healthy, active lifestyle,” Amy Ansinger, Assistant Director of Outdoor Recreation, said. “Through these classes, participants are able to learn proper paddling strokes and techniques. They are also exposed to some of the regions local outdoor resources, helping to connect them to Miami Valley and see that Dayton can be a fun place to live, work and play. Once participants have taken a class they are able to rent recreational kayaks from the Outdoor Resource Center. This allows them to continue to kayak and build skills with friends.”
Ansinger has been at WSU for 7 years. WSU has offered kayak classes for 6 years. This is the first year for Stand Up Paddle Boards.
According to Ansinger, kayaks are purchased with money from multiple ODNR Boating Safety and Education Grants and the paddle boards were purchased last spring with the grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
“The goal of the grant is to educate Ohioans about the safety concerns associated with water sports and being near water,” Ansinger said.
All of kayaking classes are taught by American Canoe Association Certified Kayak Instructors. Student instructors are certified at or above the level classes they teach. The kayak program provides leadership opportunities for the Outdoor Resource Center student employees.
For anyone interested in participating in these classes, registration is available in the Outdoor Resource Center, 037 Student Union, which is open Monday through Friday noon to 8 p.m.
Recreational Kayaking will be held Sept. 5 and Sept. 19 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Eastwood lake Metro Park, Dayton Ohio. The cost is $12 and includes: instruction, transportation, life jacket, kayak and paddle. This course will introduce recreational kayaking equipment and techniques to beginner kayakers. Skills will focus on strokes, maneuvers and rescues.
The Stand Up Paddle Board Clinic will be held Sept. 17 and Sept. 20 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., cost is $10, which includes instruction, equipment and transportation. In this class instructors will cover the basics of what participants will need to get started such as proper stance, paddling technique, turning and more.
Ansinger looks forward to taking people down to the Mad River. She further explains that the area allows people to see the city from a new prospective. The Outdoor Resource Center also teaches multiple Rock Climbing classes and offers caving, backpacking, advanced levels of kayaking and rock climbing trips. Some upcoming classes include but are not limited to: Try Kayaking, Stand up Paddle Boarding, Mad River Kayak Float, Introduction to river Kayaking and Costal Kayak clinic. For more information about these programs, contact Amy Ansinger at 937-775-5019.
