Alex Zapata
Staff Writer
We’ve all heard of colleges offering basket weaving as an academic course. Pepperdine might have its own version: Surfing. Yep, Pepperdine has a surfing class, and while it may raise a few eyebrows in, say, Kansas, what better class for a university with Waves.
The Pepperdine surfing class can be found in the course catalogue under the Natural Science Division as P.E. 157. There is a small course fee. There are sections. Let’s just say being a morning person might be a prerequisite, as the times are 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., respectively, on Thursday and Friday.
Participants receive one academic physical education credit. The grading scale is simply credit or no credit. Imagine explaining to mom and dad how you got a C in a surfing class.
Instructors working under the local surf club Malibu Makos. They teach the course. Malibu Makos was founded in 1991 by a group of professional surfers. The club not only teaches along with Pepperdine, but also provides private lessons and private lifeguards to clients. Camps are also offered throughout the year.
It’s plain and simple for students to explain why they took the class, “to learn to surf,” although it’s not quite as easy for friends and family to grasp the idea.
Sophomore Alissa Smith’s parents joked with her about “wishing they could surf for a class when they were in college.” When she told her friends about enrolling in a surfing class, the responded in disbelief asking her how she got in and if they could. Smith’s favorite part about the class is that she is actually earning class time and credit while doing it.
Former surfing class instructor, and Peppedine senior Skylar Peak, taught the class last semester. He chuckled easily when asked what the best part of teaching the class was, “getting paid…I think its funny when people pay me to teach them to surf, when you pay someone to do something they love doing its not really work, so I liked all of it.”
Peak became involved with teaching the surf classes as an employee of Malibu Makos. When Nick Rodionoff, the Pepperdine swimming coach, suggested that Malibu Makos provide the instruction for the surfing class, Peak was quick to jump at the opportunity.
“Everyone should take it, “he explained that “It’s not all about surfing, you’re going to be around water for the rest of your life, be it the beach, lake or pool, so you should know how to carry yourself in it. Its about being comfortable in the water, surfing is just part of that,” he added.
Professional surfer Anthony Petruso, who began surfing at age 6 isn’t quite so enthused. Petruso can proudly boast, 18 years later, endorsements from Reef, Oakley, Ripcurl, and Quicksilver among others. His award list is even more impressive with six NSSA (National Scholastic Surfing Association) National Division Championships, five NSSA West Coast Championships, a Matix Sun Diego Pro Championship and NSSA National Open Men’s Championship in 2000.
“It’s bad because I don’t want all of the out of town Pepperdine students taking up space in the water while I’m trying to do my job, when they should be at school.” Although it may seem harsh, for Petruso the class means 10 people crowding out his “office”, could get a little hectic. While he is quick to disagree with the classes himself, Petruso did say he would teach a surfing class if he got paid.
Whatever you’re opinion is, the class is here. Surfs Up?!
Fact Box:
51 Students are enrolled in surfing class at Pepperdine
Top 10 International Surf Spots:
10. Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain
9. Kandahar Beach, Mexico
8. Huntington Beach, U.S.A.
7. Isla Ensenada, Panama
6. Surfers Paradise Beach, Gold Coast, Australia
5. Tamarindo, Costa Rica
4. Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa
3. Buzios, Brazil
2. Papara Beach, Tahiti
1. Waikiki, Hawaii
http://www.askmen.com/fashion/travel_top_ten_60/79c_travel_top_ten.html
12-02-2006
