Kayaking For a Class

Katie Geer
Journalism 325
Dr. Moore

Kayaking For a Class
The University of South Carolina is now offering a Physical Education class in kayaking as an elective for students who qualify. This new move of kayaking for a grade is a great way for students to get outside and enjoy physical exercise. The University of South Carolina’s students are making a mark on the local kayaking scene by drifting, paddling and racing down the river here in Columbia.
The Saluda River is sprinkled with small rapids and sections of placid water, this is the perfect combination for anyone who is interested in getting a little wet and experiencing a rush. From the avid to the newcomer, kayaking is a perfect sport for students.
The Universities' association with the surrounding city of Columbia is manifested by student organizations and the involvement of students in a public relation fashion. Part of the way the University is reaching out into the community to show their students local exposure is by offering a kayaking class for students that qualify. This class, taught by Professor Karen Kustafik, is a one credit elective which offers an opportunity to get out on the local river and learn the ropes of kayaking.
“The classes we offer are for beginners. Usually, at least half of the students report some prior experience in a kayak, canoe, raft or tube. As long as students are comfortable swimmers, they are good to go for this class” comments Kustafik, “Even if they do not pursue whitewater kayaking, the experience gained in class will help them to be safe and have fun on the water.”
Eric Lee, a senior in the English department, is currently taking the kayaking class. Having kayaked before, Eric found this class to be light, enjoyable and a great way to experience the outdoors.
“I've been working on how to roll, buddy assisted flips this year.  The USC class has really been helpful, and it gives me the chance to get out on some white water.”
Lee is taking part in Kustafik’s class, and he says the scene for kayaking in Columbia for students is somewhat a hit and miss situation.
“There are a couple classes offered each semester through the PE Department. They meet for about five weeks, starting the week after spring break.  Outdoor recreation used to rent kayaks regularly, but a few too many students kept getting hurt.  Now, students who are enrolled or took the Kayaking class can rent them because they have proven knowledge of the needed skills, or so my kayaking professor says.”
Though he enjoys kayaking here in Columbia, his favorite river to boat is in Rock Hill, South Carolina, but he quickly adds, “I'm heading to the Chattanooga with my Kayaking class; so I could have a new favorite place come Monday.”
One does not have to take a kayaking class to enjoy the activity. Robert Clendenin, a graduate student at USC has always enjoyed the river.
“Well, I've been kayaking for about 10 years.  I got into it when I was working at a sporting goods store selling them. I decided to buy one for myself and since then it's grown from just some recreational, paddle the lakes and such to some full on river running antics.  All in all, it's a good time that I am glad I got in to.”
Kayaking offers many different things to different people, some it gives the ability to work out frustration, and others, to regain a sense of calm. Clendenin compares the rush of the river and the adrenaline high from the rapids, against the calm parts, “It offers me the chance to get outside and get in touch with the world around me again, regain my little harmony bubble that I live in with the earth and such and reflect on life.”
Both Lee and Clendenin concluded that while students should go out and participate in physical activity, both cringe at the idea of the local river becoming over run by students out to goof off and not to really enjoy nature.
Clendenin states, “I don't want someone to be crowding me on the river for a grade honestly.  Go take golf or shag or something like that, but leave me be.  Not trying to sound uptight or possessive, but USC doesn't need to get into the kayak business,” he jokingly adds, “Unless they are going to build a wave house close by once they ruin the river.”  
Kayaking is at its hight in the summer and Adam Powell, a senior accountant at Confluence Water Sports, in Easley South Carolina, can attest to the rise in sales. Powell
has been working in the kayaking business for the past two years, and says that sales skyrocket right before the summer months hit.
While he will admit that kayaking was not a preferred sport before coming to the company, he has since, through the influence of his coworkers and his environment, become a new, up and coming kayaker.
“I never really had any desire or interest in kayaking or water sports until I became employed at Confluence in April 2009.”
Powell’s role in the kayaking business is on the production end. Confluence creates and manufactures kayaks and canoes like Mad River Canoe, Perception, Dagger and many more. Once the boats are ready they are shipped off to distribution centers and then on to retailers.
Local Columbian kayak and canoe rental shops near the river flourish during the summer. While the companies declined an official interview, stating it was not in the best interest of their company, they did acknowledge the fact that students do indeed contribute a lot of business during the warmer months. Saturday rentals along the river go up while students and locals have the time off to explore and play.
Lee commits that the river is a great place for students to get away and relax, “Getting outdoors is really important to me. Its the perfect relaxation sport.”
More students should take advantage of the nature that is right out side their door, even if it is not for a grade in a class, fun is right around the corner. Or as Powell says, “Kayaking is just a great way for students to take a breather from their busy lifestyles and head down to the water for a day and just…soak it in.”