Orange Coast College Fall 2007 Surf Class Syllabus
PE 161AD – #0399 – 2 Units
Tuesdays & Thursdays 8-10 a.m. - August 28-December 13
Instructor: Dr. Laird Hayes, PE Office #10 - OCC Phone: 714-432-5124 x1
Email:
Website:
Class Location: McFadden Park at the Newport Pier on the south side of Newport Pier at 20th Street
Adjacent to Newport Beach Lifeguard Headquarters
COURSE DESCRIPTION - The purpose of surf class is to teach the fundamentals of board surfing and to provide beginning, intermediate and advanced surfers the opportunity to safely improve their surfing skills. The course will emphasize surfing etiquette, water safety, personal growth and improvement, an appreciation for surfing and the ocean environment, and the relationship between fitness and health-related topics to improve, maintain, and to be part of a healthy lifestyle.
COURSE OBJECTIVES - Upon completion of surf class students will have the knowledge of being able to:
· Distinguish between various styles of surfboards including longboards and shortboards · Recognize swell direction, tides and
currents · Execute balanced paddling strokes · Catch a wave, stand up, and ride the board to the right and left · Demonstrate
appropriate surfing etiquette · Develop an awareness of the ocean and coastal environment · Demonstrate an understanding of
wave selection · Demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of ocean safety · Select the appropriate equipment based on
ability and needs · Define and understand basic surfing terminology · Plan a surf trip with classmates · Thoughtfully consider
membership in and support for ocean and environment-friendly organizations (e.g. Surfrider Foundation, Orange County
Coastkeeper, etc.) · Administer basic “surfing” first aid
SWIMMING REQUIREMENTS – To surf safely one must be a competent and confident swimmer. Only those who satisfactorily complete BOTH of the two mandatory swim tests will be permitted to take the surf class. Both tests will be administered one time only. Make-ups or second attempts will not be permitted. Students who demonstrate any indication of anxiety and/or fatigue in either the pool or ocean swim tests will be dropped from the class and encouraged to take an OCC swim for fitness class. First-time OCC surf class students will be required to take the two swim tests: Test #1 – OCC swim pool 20 minute non-stop swim test – At the second class meeting at OCC on Thursday, a non-stop, unassisted swim for 15 minutes (any stroke permitted) immediately followed by treading water for 5 minutes for a total of 20 minutes in the water without stopping to rest or holding on to any object for support. Test #2 - Ocean swim test – At our regular beach class meeting place at the third class meeting on Tuesday, September 4th the ocean swim test will consist of swimming through the surf line around “Buddy’s Buoy” approximately 100 yards offshore and back to the beach in under 15 minutes. Wetsuits encouraged. Water safety will be provided by past OCC surf class students.
GRADING - Class will be held regardless of inclement weather or surf conditions. If the surf is not surfable (it may be for some but not for others – it will be my decision), we will do one or a combination of the following: paddle, run, pick up beach litter, and/or engage in a variety of beach-oriented activities including relay races and other competitive events. Surf or weather conditions are never a reason to miss or be late to class.
Listed below are surf class rules and regulations on which a significant portion of your grade will be based:
1) Be present for roll at 8 a.m. sharp and checkout at 10. DO NOT take this class if you cannot be on time EVERY Tues. & Thurs.
2) Attending the mandatory lifeguard orientation at Newport Beach Lifeguard headquarters at the third class meeting.
3) Adhering to the no alcohol and all other drugs (including tobacco) policy before, during and after class.
5) Having your “Wave Log” at every surf class and completing that day’s entry prior to checking out.
6) Advanced and intermediate surfers assisting in teaching beginning surfers. If you’re not willing to do this do not take the class.
7) Completing in its entirety the take-home final exam (required to pass the course).
8) Attending the final class meeting (required to pass).
9) Attending both class field trips.
10) Adhering to proper written, oral and accepted class protocol and behavior including doing what the instructor asks you to do and
following all class instructions and directions.
11) Surfing where your instructor gives you permission to surf and NEVER surfing outside of Newport (except on our two field trips).
TARDIES/ABSENCES/ILLNESS - You will be dropped from class if you are late or absent for the second and third class meetings. On-time attendance is essential for your participation in surf class. Absences and tardies are treated the same. Be EARLY. One second after 8 a.m. is LATE! Once you have any combination of a total of five (5) unexcused or non-notification absences or tardies you will be dropped from the course. If you know in advance that you will be missing a class notify Dr. Hayes. You are required to send him an email and/or leave a voice mail message explaining your situation. If there is a physical, medical or personal reason why you don’t want to or can’t surf on any particular day (what you may consider bad surf is NOT an excuse), but you feel well enough to go to school, you are expected to show up on-time and participate in as many activities as possible.
CELL PHONES – Using cell phones and other electronic devices are prohibited in class. Pack them away and turn them off!
EXTRA CREDIT/MAKE-UPS - Absences can be made up by: 1) attending the Friday surf class (8 a.m.-Noon); 2) visiting the Huntington Beach Surf Museum or the Newport Beach Nautical Museum and writing a two-page paper describing your visit;
3) membership in a surf/environment-related organization; 4) attending a meeting or event related to the ocean/environment and writing a two page summary of what was discussed; or 5) reading a book or article on an aspect of surfing and writing a two page summary of what you learned.
CHRONIC INJURY, ILLNESS OR DISABILITY – At the first class meeting students are required to notify Dr. Hayes if they have any pre-existing medical condition(s) that could become a medical emergency including, but not limited to: asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, allergies, cardiovascular issues, or any other medical concerns, including recent surgeries.
SAFETY & HEALTH RISKS - Safety is priority #1! You are participating in the OCC Surf Class with the full knowledge of the hazards and risks associated with surfing and the activities conducted as part of this class. Surfing can be a hazardous sport with numerous inherent risks. As with all athletic activities that are physical in nature, surfing can lead to moderate to severe injuries including abrasions, cuts, dislocations, stings, fractures, head, neck, back, and spinal injuries, paralysis, drowning, and even death. All accidents or injuries, whatever their severity, must be reported immediately to Dr. Hayes or a lifeguard. NEVER surf in conditions that are beyond your ability.
EQUIPMENT - Required: surfboard (longboard strongly recommended for beginners); leash (required for all levels including advanced surfers – no exceptions – if you don’t wear a leash you will be dropped from the class); wax. Optional: wetsuit (STRONGLY recommended); sunscreen; towel; board bag; sunglasses; rash guard; booties; hat; drinking water; and parking meter quarters or City of Newport Beach annual parking permit (can be purchased at Newport Beach City Hall for $50 - blue meters only). You may bring a skim board, body board, fins, a fishing pole and other beach accessories to class. If you have both a shortboard and a longboard bring both boards to give you flexibility and options depending on the surf.
REQUIRED TEXTS – 1) “Wave Log” - $10. You are to bring it to every class meeting and fill in that day’s entry at the conclusion of class prior to checkout. You must have your “Wave Log” by the third class meeting; 2) Surfer’s Start-Up:
A Beginner’s Guide to Surfing, (for beginners and low intermediates) 2nd Edition, Werner, Doug, Tracks Publishing, San Diego, 2003. Longboard or shortboard version. Available at Becker’s Surf Shop, 3140 Coast Hwy, Corona del Mar, for $12 retail (ask for OCC surf class discount) or at the OCC Bookstore.
FIELD TRIPS – We will have two Friday field trips: one to “Old Man’s” at San Onofre State Beach and the other to Doheny State Beach, dates to be determined. Make every attempt to attend both of these. In addition to being a lot of fun they will give students the opportunity to surf at two new surf spots along with meeting and surfing with students from the Friday class.
THANKSGIVING RECESS – November 22 & 23
PERTINENT WEBSITES
Newport Beach Lifeguard Department – www.newportlifeguard.org
Surfrider Foundation – www.surfrider.org
Orange County Coastkeeper – www.coastkeeper.org
Free Email Surf Reports – www.wetsand.com
SURF REPORT PHONE NUMBERS
Newport Beach – 949-673-3371 Huntington Beach – 714-536-9303 Wavefax – 1-800-Surfline
San Clemente – 949-492-1011 Verizon Cell Phones - * Surf