Just because The University of Western Ontario isn’t on the ocean doesn’t mean it isn’t a popular destination for young surfers.
The Western Surf Association was among the nearly 200 clubs of the University Students’ Council represented during Clubs Week held Sept. 21-25 in the University Community Centre (UCC).
Philip Boehmer, president of the association, says the group doesn’t have to look far for waves; they surf the Great Lakes.
“Fall is the best for surfing,” he says, noting 90 per cent of his membership had no previous surf experience.
Like many others, the popular club builds on the student learning experience outside the classroom. Clubs Week highlights the many opportunities for students to make friends, try a new sport or join a community of like-minded students on and off campus.
Among the new faces at Clubs Week is the Purple Yogis, a yoga club, which started last year. Building on the popularity of yoga, the group focuses on promoting healthy lifestyles, offers workshops on nutrition, stress management, meditation, breathing, among others.
“When you are a new club it’s hard to get your name out there,” says Stefanie Radia-Bramwell, co-president of Purple Yogis, adding Clubs Week is a great way to recruit new members.
For those who want to get down to business, The Western Apprentice may be a good option.
Based on the popular television show, the new interactive business club works with real companies to solve problems. Last year, the group worked with Symantec, producers of Norton AntiVirus, and the CEO flew in from California to help judge the competition.
“To get to work with some of these companies is unreal,” says Lauren Wong, co-president of The Western Apprentice. This year the club will be working with Angus Glen Golf Club, which hosted the 2007 Canadian Open.
Wong points out the expert feedback members receive, along with networking skills, will help any business-minded entrepreneur or future leader.
Students don’t have to worry about getting fired from this club; all members are invited to participate in four challenges. It also offers academic scholarships.
Across the sea of clubs dedicated to favourite sports teams and athletics, political and religious affiliations, cultural and ethnic groups, and games and hobbyists, some clubs stand out as being part of the Western fabric.
As the oldest accredited club on campus, The University of Western Ontario Debating Society was established in 1896 and has reinvented itself over the years to attract a newer, younger crowd into its membership.
“Like any university has a football team, a good university would also have a debate team,” says member Courtney Davis.
Debating has been a mainstay amongst Western’s clubs because “debating is a really useful skill to have,” she adds. The club also has global affiliations and allows members to compete across North America.
This year, students can register and pay for up to five clubs at once using the new Registration Central. Multiple stations with the computerized registration system are set up in the UCC gym during Clubs Week.
A complete listing of the clubs participating in the week-long event is available at usc.uwo.ca/westernclubs//clubsweek.html
Western News captured a time-lapse video of the busy UCC atrium on Monday, Sept. 21 as many visitors dropped by the booths of Western clubs. Visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=5i6j__2OfdI.