As a freshman in college, it is really important to me that I branch out and do as many things as I possibly can. I want to try new things, meet new people, and make lasting memories. Besides the academics, the experiences and the growth we make as people are the most important parts of college. So I am very eager to participate in what I can. Last Saturday, I partook in the kayaking and snorkeling Campus Rec Excursion. It was such a breath taking adventure and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to be a part of it.
My two friends, which I have known for years, joined me on the excursion. We all got to the Clarke early that Saturday morning and waited for our transportation. There were a total of seventeen students on the excursion. After a short trip on the CSUSM bus we arrived at La Jolla Shores. Being still early in the day the sky was far from clear, but the weather was pleasant. We entered the tour shop and changed into our skin tight wet suits. Next we collected all of our gear. This included: snorkel masks, fins, helmets and life jackets. Then we finally headed to the beach!
On the sand the instructors taught us what we needed to know once we set sail. We learned how to efficiently paddle and how to get back in to our kayaks once we were in the water. I was itching to get going! I’ve been kayaking before so I already knew the basics of what they were teaching us and was very inpatient. Then we all paired up and they sent us into the waves in our kayaks.
The water was glassy and clear, and the sun was shining bright right above us. I have lived by the ocean all my live and it is unbelievable to me how much cleaner the water is at that beach then the ones I am used to in my area! We paddled out a long way before reaching a large rock wall upon which sea lions were posted. You could hear their barking before you could see them. A hand full of them majestically posing on the rocks, and other sea lions were wrestling. The great part was how close we actually got to them, they seem comfortable with humans. After this we were taken into some caves. It is so beautiful, to be surrounded by rock. My kayak partner laughed at me because we crashed in to the walls so much, and every time I couldn’t hold back a little panicked yelp.
After the kayaking exploration can my favorite part: the snorkeling. We anchored our kayaks and got ready for the water. I put my flippers on, and took my life jacket and helmet off. Then I leaped off my kayak. Whoa was the water shockingly cold! Even with my wet suit on! I look at my tour guides who are just in swim trunks and are swimming with no complaints, and push through my comfort. My whole group swam freely around. I first began scanning the surface with my mask underwater, and then gained the courage to dive deeper. There were so many fish, huge brilliantly bright orange fish. It was so serene and relaxing to take a deep breath and swim alongside a school of fish. To have such a gorgeous surrounding and to only hear your breathing, your own thoughts, and the movement of the water is so enthralling.
We snorkeled for a while and then were instructed to return to out kayaks. We paddled to a new destination, which was closer to shore and again anchored our kayaks. Some group members decided to stay in theirs and paddle around some more, but I was excited to get back under water. Our tour guides also informed us that if we were lucky we could see some leopard sharks that were commonly in that area. I swam a long way from my kayak and then caught a glimpse of what looked like an enormous fish, but once I inched closer it was clearly a small shark! Then I started to run in to more and more. They were just like the ones I had always seen at sea world, except these were swimming right under me instead of behind glass. It was amazing!
Later we made our way back to shore and had a delish lunch, which was much needed because we had all really worked up an appetite. We returned all our gear and finished the wonderful day by relaxing on the beach. This campus rec excursion is one of my first very special experiences here at CSUSM and I can’t wait for many more new adventures.
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