A Supreme Sport
Ethan Bailey, Features Staff Writer
If you’re looking for some fast-paced cardio without the monotony of a treadmill, consider joining a pickup game of Ultimate Frisbee at one of the many scenic locations around San Diego.
At a glance, the sport looks similar to football because the purpose is for players to advance the disc into the end zones that they are attacking. Unlike football, there isn’t any contact. Additionally players cannot travel with the disc after receiving a pass and instead, stop in as few steps as possible, set a pivot foot and pass to teammates.
The rules make the game very fast-paced. After gaining possession of the disc, players have 10 seconds
to pass before suffering a turnover. This is known as stall count and is the heart of the start-stop nature of this game, which will surely get your blood pumping. All games are self-governed, meaning there are no referees present at Ultimate Frisbee games. Good sportsmanship and integrity are always encouraged.
There are a variety of locales to get involved in a pickup game, from Balboa Park’s Sixth Avenue park all the way to Oceanside. All ages are welcome to participate and the vast majority of games and leagues are free. Ultimate is a friendly, casual experience and a great way to discover new places.
To find game times and locations, as well as other information on the sport, visit pickupultimate.com. The site features a seven-day calendar organizing game locations via points on a Google map depending on which day of the week you select. Contact information for the organizers are included with, threads open to user comment, thus allowing players to get to know each other and keep in touch. According to the site, there are 10 games throughout San Diego planned for the rest of the week.
Whether you’re hoping to become an avid player of this intriguing sport or just get out on a beautiful day, Ultimate Frisbee could be the start of many enjoyable sunny San Diego weekends.
Totally Spaced Out
Nicole Yi, Features Staff Writer
One of San Diego’s hidden treasures is Palomar Mountain Observatory Campground. An hour-and-a-half drive from campus will transport you to an environment rich with fresh air and greenery. You’ll soon forget the city is just a short drive away when you’re mesmerized by the refreshing streams, hiking trails and amazing panoramic views of the county.
A perfect place to camp for the weekend, or to just go for a “daycation,” Palomar has great trails for hikers and bikers to venture off. Stargazing is also a must. The observatory is only two miles away and many come to explore the night sky.
If you don’t have time for a weekend getaway, go a on a day hike and pack a lunch to eat at the peaceful picnic areas. If the cats roaming around the Geology Mathematics and Computer Science building aren’t enough wildlife to satisfy your inner Crocodile Hunter, at Palomar, deer, fox and coyote sightings are part of the experience. This mountain has visitors raving about their experiences and they keep coming back.
To reserve a campground, you must make a reservation at least eight days in advance for $15 to $30, depending on the location. So, ditch the Aztec Recreation Center for a day and utilize nature’s very own gymnasium.
Quite the Journey
Monica Linzmeier, Contributor
The Aztec Recreation Center provides many programs students are unaware of through Aztec Adventures.
Since 1977, Aztec Adventures has taken adventurous San Diego State students on memorable escapades. This school year, 15 trips for those interested in rock climbing can set out on 15 trips with Aztec Adventure staff. The locations vary from day trips to Mission Gorge and three-day weekends at Joshua Tree National Park.
Most outings are only available to students enrolled in Exercise and Nutritional Sciences 139: Begining Rock Climbing. In total, there are four rock-climbing classes available for beginning and intermediate rock climbers.
“It’s probably one of the most amazing experiences for anyone that’s interested to come out and explore the natural environment as well as take advantage of having a physical relationship with the environment,” SDSU senior Forrest Brodsky said.
The first rock climbing outing available to students is Nov. 2 through 4 at the Joshua Tree National Park and costs $309. The cost includes transportation, some food and all equipment.
A Bigger Boat?
Bridget Chapman, Staff Writer
If you’re looking to live more on the wild side, La Jolla Water Sports is the perfect day getaway for an adventurous spirit. In shallow waters of two-to-six-feet, tour guides take snorkelers out to swim with leopard sharks and other sea creatures of the Pacific Ocean.
At La Jolla Shores, swimmers get the opportunity to see these sharks’ large black spots up-close and personal. The leopard sharks range from three-to-five feet in length. However, with mouths the size of a quarter, they are harmless to humans. Hundreds of these sharks can be seen along the coast, creating a surreal and eerie experience.
The guides from La Jolla Water Sports are extremely knowledgeable and will inform their groups about the indigenous sea life before the swim begins. Snorkelers will learn secrets of the ocean and all it embodies. Tactics, such as the “stingray shuffle,” a method of entering the water to avoid stepping on stingrays, will be taught as well.
Once in the water, guides will direct the swimmers to where most sharks and fish can be found and will bring attention to any they see.
La Jolla Water Sports prides itself on hosting smaller tour groups than other companies in the area while maintaining a fun and professional atmosphere. Tours can be booked online on the website and are offered daily throughout the spring, summer and fall months. All gear is provided.
