Why SDSU is the Best College for Surfers

Let’s face it, for a lot of us surfers looking into college a main criteria involves the question: are we able to surf there? Personally, I wasn't able to ponder possibilities not bordering a coast as I knew there would be no surfing for quite some time. So I ended up in the surf mecca of California at arguably San Diego’s best college for surfers. Let’s look into why SDSU has it all for the surfer looking for quality education and waves. 

To begin, let’s talk about school. The programs offered at SDSU are by far the most unique and tailored to surfers. Of course SDSU offers all the mainstream studies like business, engineering, and psychology but there’s a few you may never knew existed like Recreation and Tourism Management or Sustainability. 

Have you ever dreamed of spending a semester in Nicaragua surfing glassy waves and eating local, fresh fish while learning about sustainable practices? Or maybe it’s in Slovenia hiking wondrous mountains and understanding the importance of environmental preservation that you seek.

At SDSU you can receive an education in Recreation and Tourism Studies with different emphasis ranging from Sustainability to Outdoor Management. You will have the opportunity to travel and immerse yourself in different societies who provide a new outlook to problems we face today. Courses will provide you with knowledge on how tourism has changed the makeup of cultures for better or worse, the importance of wilderness to our societies, and how sustainable planning works to create positive tourism trends. If you're interested in the sustainability emphasis you will take classes under Jess Ponting, the leader of surf research in sustainable tourism.

Dr. Ponting will show you the impacts of surf culture on different areas and how they can be mitigated and adopted to help local populations. Classes offered include Wellness and Recreation for Life Through Surfing, Sustainability and Culture, or Global Travel and Tourism Management where you will learn a multitude of concepts and view surfing through a new lens. 

Looking for organizations that involve surfing, SDSU has that too. Jess Ponting, created the Center for Surf Research, the authority of surfing and sustainability at SDSU where students work on informing and learning about sustainability within the surf industry. This is an organization you’ll want to be a part of. Work on the semesterly issue of the CSR magazine pumping out articles on surfing or get experience creating content. Attend surf events like the Redbull Foamwreckers where you interview pro surfers (Yep, Ben Gravy was there!). CSR is an amazing group of like minded students who want to make a difference in the surf world through their creativity and passion. For the lady surfers, Betty Boarders provides an inclusive yet exciting environment for all levels of surfing. Have you been surfing your whole life or maybe you’ve always wanted to get on a board but been too intimidated to do so? Join the Betty Boarder cohort where you can learn to surf or help others to do so, get lost exploring on the yearly camping trips, and meet some of the most amazing women that may turn into lifelong friends. SDSU also has a highly competitive surf team where you can rip your skills if interested.

Are you worried your quiver won’t fit in that quad dorm room you got stuck in?

Fear not, there are lockers out front of the Zura dormitory dedicated to surfers where you can store boards and wetsuits. Also in Zura is the surfing and sustainability hall, a whole floor dedicated to individuals who surf! You may find this hall to have a peculiar smell, that would be from the multitude of wetsuits slung across the railing. 

In terms of location SDSU does not lie on the coast, do not be fooled! While this may seem like a downside at first, I quickly realised how much freedom it allowed in spot choices. The university is located about 20 minutes east of the coast, however you are not tied down to one spot. You have the opportunity to surf one of the many mystical breaks at Sunset Cliffs hidden beneath the golden bluffs. Or journey 30 minutes north where you can surf several famous breaks in North county like Swamis or Cardiff Reef. Most freshmen aren’t allowed cars and while this seems to be an obstacle there are plenty of ways to make do. Zipcars occupy almost every garage and provide simple access to the beach. Grab a few friends and rent a car for a couple of hours. Or if you’re feeling ambitious, run down seven flights of stairs and beg the group of guys loading up boards you saw all the way from your dorm window to take you with them (tried and true). 

In its essence, SDSU is the perfect college for surfers. Yes you go to college for education, but lets be real, surfing can be a shared top priority with school. Maximize your time in college by learning prevalent topics related to your passion that actually do good. While you're at it, catch a few waves!