PUC Students form memories by air, land and sea

We helped them strap on their leashes and they were off, paddling for their lives into the head-high, white water. Despite getting flipped, tossed and pounded back to shore, the group kept pushing forward and finally punched through the gnarly shore break. Thus began the adventures of the new Pacific Union College Surf Club as described by their club president, Joby Oft.

Of the 30 student clubs represented at PUC, three stand truly apart: the Surf Club, the Outdoors Club and the Angwin Flyers. The newest of these is the Surf Club, which welcomes beginners, teaching them to surf within a friendly and supportive atmosphere. The Surf Club also enjoys activities such as evening gatherings on the beach, a week-long camping and surfing trip during spring break, and a trash clean-up on one of the county beaches. Jermain Joseph, a beginner surfer, sees the club as an opportunity to "experience nature in the ocean, bond with new friends and get closer to God."

The Outdoors Club thrives on land, including rock climbing, skiing and snowboarding. They have already been challenged on five climbing expeditions this year. Each event is like a small journey where members experience unknown and challenging feats simply for the love of it. "It's all about stepping out into the unknown, pushing yourself to the limit and bonding with your fellow climbers and skiers," says Ryan Tetz, president of the Outdoors Club. This bond is unique since each member must trust his or her life on the abilities of another person.

The Angwin Flyers "absolutely love to fly and want everyone else to just catch the bug," says Jordan Wareham, president of the Angwin Flyers. Group activities include "flyouts," where the members visit other fascinating airports and on-field restaurants. The club hosts FAA seminars on safety and facilitates air expos where they participate in games, such as flour bombing and target landing, to improve their skills. They also distribute a monthly flier, and host weekly Bible study and exercise groups. Isaac Sumner, a member of the Flyers, says that the focus of the club is to further the airport's mission of training qualified pilots for lives of service.

The taste of sea water and the throaty roar of the breakers. The feel of warm, solid rock against your body. The wide blue path of the sky. PUC campus clubs don't just help students cope with being far from home. They help students explore a higher goal: To live a life that's far from average.