 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
 ;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
|
|
May 14, 2001 It doesn't take a magna cum laude student to know that the world -- especially for surfers -- doesn't begin and end with the Stars and Stripes. In fact, if you paid close attention to last week's piece on the best surf-centric U.S. colleges, you probably realized that a college career in the States is a far cry from a Mentawais with fraternity houses. From crowded La Jolla beachbreak to the Steamer Lane snake pit, our institutions of higher learning practically guarantee that you'll be hitting the books just as hard as you'll be hitting the lip. Not so for a select group of universities abroad. As one-year exchange programs become more and more commonplace for American students, we thought we'd tempt you with a list of schools that offer degrees in world-class waves. This is by no means a complete list: Australia, France, Brazil, Japan, Samoa, Barbados and dozens of other countries have universities that will allow you to mix education with pleasure. Nevertheless, the seven schools below should at least inspire to pull out your map, pull out your surf mags and start planning your future. INTER-AMERICAN UNIVERSITY, AGUADILLA, PUERTO RICO PROXIMITY AND ACCESS TO SURF: Talk about proximity -- Aguadilla is the surfing epicenter of Puerto Rico's Northwest corner, widely considered to be the Hawaii of the Atlantic. Furthermore, the school is located inside Base Ramey, a retired US Air Force installment that now guards such top waves as Wilderness, Surfers Beach and Table Top. Off base, you're 10 minutes from the grinders at Gas Chambers or Middles, 30 minutes away from Rincon's big-wave offering, Tres Palmas, and you have countless reef breaks extending along the north coast toward San Juan, two hours away. BEST SEASON: Wintertime is the right time for PR's Hawaii-like North Shore to kick into gear. HOW HARD TO GET IN: Comparable to sponging a waist-high day at Jobos. 2.0 GPA; 500 SAT. U.S. AFFILIATE: N/A COST: $120 a credit; plus $169 to $250 in fees per semester; no room and board available. LANGUAGE: "Everything is in Spanish except the English classes and the textbooks, so you can read the chapters ahead of time and then listen to the lesson in Spanish -- it's actually a great way to learn a new language." -- Mike Shands, English and Linguistics professor. LECTURE NOTES: Puerto Rico has a surprising number of universities to choose from, and nearly all are within striking distance of some sort of surf. In addition to IAU's posts in Arecibo, Bayamon, and Fajardo, The University of Puerto Rico also has campuses in the wave-rich areas of San Juan, Aguadilla, and Mayaguez -- home to quality Engineering and Marine Biology departments. While IAU's location makes it the surfer's choice, any college on the island offers similar advantages and disadvantages. Professor for UPR and IAU Mike Shands explains: "In Puerto Rico you get all the benefits of the Caribbean and the US. You've got US dollars, US protection, but all the great Caribbean culture and climate. They're not tough to get into, if you're from the US and have decent grades there shouldn't be a problem, but both IAU and UPR are real schools with a rigorous accrediting association. Party-wise, San Juan goes off every night, and Rincon is jumping in the winter, but in the summer it's dead like the surf. Puerto Ricans are very friendly -- if you want to socialize you'll socialize. And there's no doubt you've got the best surf in the Caribbean. It's 6 to 8 feet and thundering right now." ADDRESS/CONTACT: Oficina de Mercadeo; Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico; PO BOX 363255; San Juan, PR 00936-3255; Phone: (787) 758-1696; Aguadilla campus (787)891-0925; www.interaguadilla.edu; www.inter.edu.. UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA PROXIMITY AND ACCESS TO SURF: Capetown proper has pretty damn good surf, though a little protected and polluted, and if you drive a half hour south, you've got a veritable feast of coldwater beaches, reefs and bombies. Put it this way: the annual Red Bull Big Wave Africa specialty event is held at Dungeons, just south of Capetown and won't run unless it's 15 feet or bigger. BEST SEASON: It's a matter of preference: June-September is generally big and cold while the rest of the year is more bearable temperature-wise, though less consistent. HOW HARD TO GET IN: Comparable to head-high Outer Kom -- a long ass paddle, but not so hard once you're there. South Africa is just about as far away from the US as you can get, but it shouldn't be too hard academically as long as you set it up before you go. U.S. AFFILIATE: N/A COST: As alumnus Andy Davis says, "prices are a pittance in comparison to what US students would pay at an average US university -- and it's regarded to be the best in university in South Africa." LANGUAGE: English, bru. LECTURE NOTES: While there's no surf classes at UCT, the S.A. Universities, organized by Mike Larmont, is the longest running contest in the country. No shortage of surfers have skipped classes at UCT. Present rippers include: David Pfaff, Ewald Van Heerden and Sean Holmes, winner of last year's big-wave event. Surfing alumni: Andy Davis, features writer for SL Magazine; Daniel Beatty, ex-Surf Club chairman; Sean Jacobs, doctor; Phil Chapman, former winner of the Cornwall Open; Duncan Scott, WQS competitor, former UTC Surf Club chairman; Howard Gold, environmentalist; David Malherbe, former World-Am champ. Andy Davis offers his experience as advice: "I found great pleasure in the Arts faculty and would recommend their BA, because it gives you the flexibility to always catch the good swells; plus, you become a bit of an expert in strange fields like Ancient Near Eastern Religion and Meteorology. " ADDRESS/CONTACT: University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch, 7701, Republic of South Africa, Phone: (+27 21) 650-9111, www.uct.ac.za, email: tkona@bremner.uct.ac.za UNIVERSITY OF PUNTARENAS, COSTA RICA PROXIMITY AND ACCESS TO SURF: Puntarenas is a 10-minute bus ride from the endless lefthander, Boca Barranca, and a 15-minute bus ride from a few secret spots in the area that break like a small-but-punchy Puerto Escondido. The university also is an easy 90-minute bus ride to Playa Hermosa. That is, if you don't mind sweaty armpits in your face. HOW HARD TO GET IN: Comparable to a Tamarindo softie. If you already attend a State or University of California school, it's an easy exchange. Otherwise, you need to enroll through the University of Reno, which requires nothing more than a high school diploma. U.S. AFFILIATE: The University Studies Abroad Consortium, Reno, Nevada (see address below) COST: Approximately US$5,000 per semester, room and board with a local family (or, as California surfer John Pickle puts it, "a nice family with two kids who bug you all day about your surfboard and video camera") is an extra $250 per month. LANGUAGE: Espanol. (But there's no need to be tongue-tied: the exchange program involves an intensive, four-month Spanish course.) LECTURE NOTES: There's a hardcore bunch of American surfers at the university who have the school/surfing routine wired. They're out of class by 11 a.m., take weekend excursions to spots like Pavones and know where to go for 75-cent Heinekens. Although Spanish is the main focus, the University of Puntarenas offers a wide variety of courses, from Latin dancing to tropical ecology. According to Pickle, "The dance class is key if you plan on impressing any ticas." ADDRESS/CONTACT: The University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) is your best bet, but you also can try the University of Costa Rica website. UNIVERSIDAD DE LIMA, PERU PROXIMITY AND ACCESS TO SURF: Lima's about 20 minutes from the Miraflores area of Lima, which -- though crowded -- offers assorted peaks and points that'll keep your daily surf lust sated. On weekends, you could go an hour south and charge huge Pico Alto with local hero Magoo de la Rosa. BEST SEASON: Southern Hemisphere Fall (February-June) is the most consistent time for surf in Peru, but expect surf all year. HOW HARD TO GET IN: Comparable to a chest-high day at Chicama -- kinda crowded, but basic once you start paddling. There are two main universities in Lima, and Universidad de Lima is the bigger and less academically demanding. U.S. AFFILIATE: N/A COST: Approx. $3,000 per year. LANGUAGE: Spanish (but learn to say "oi!" really loud for city breaks.) LECTURE NOTES: Universidad of Lima is primarily known for its economics and business-type programs, but make no mistake -- it's not all pocket protectors and investment portfolios; there's been a bunch of hot surfers who've graced its hallowed halls. Surfing alumni include: Zugui Zegarra , National Champion in 1984; Rafael Navarro; German Aguirre; Guillermo Leon; Pechuga Bernales; and Miguel Velasco, owner of Coltur Travel Agency in Lima. Plus, "People are very warm in Peru," says local photographer Gonzalo Barandiaran (who went to Lima's other university). "And the food is excellent." But you're not going to university for dinner, right? "Also," Gonzalo continues, "you could easily surf every day from Universidad de Lima -- the classes are very flexible there." As far as the university's reputation, alumnus Miguel Velasco, says, "The University is famous for nothing, but known for its nice girls." ADDRESS/CONTACT: Av.Javier Prado Este s/n, Monterrico, Lima 33 - Peru; Phone: (+511) 437-6767; www.ulima.edu.pe (hint: if you go through www.google.com, they'll translate the site for you, which helps if you Spanish isn't so good.) UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL ANDRES BELLO, SANTIAGO, CHILE PROXIMITY AND ACCESS TO SURF: Santiago's not right at the coast, but it's only a couple hours away from some of the best coldwater left point breaks in the world. BEST SEASON: If you like heavy drops, June-September's perfect: you can blast down some of the best snow-covered cliffs in South America, and get kegged in some of the heaviest barrels on the same bloody day. If you're more of a 3/2mm surfer, December-May is still pretty consistent, but with warmer water and no snow. HOW HARD TO GET IN: Comparable to an overhead day at Punta de los Lobos: as long as you get in early, you'll be fine. The semester abroad programs are limited to 80 people on a first-come, first-serve basis. U.S. AFFILIATE: University Studies Abroad Consortium, Reno, Nevada (see address below) COST: $3,980 per semester, not including room and board. LANGUAGE: Spanish (learn how to order vino tinto pretty quick, too-- Santiago is Latin America's center for killer wine) LECTURE NOTES: Chile has been called the Canada of South America. No, it's not all mullets, doughnuts and hockey games; it's got a slightly more peaceful and European feel than many other politically turbulent Latin American countries. For a surfer on a semester abroad, Santiago can be a blessing and a curse: sure, you're in of one of the most beautiful and sophisticated cities in South America, home to poet Pablo Neruda, fantastic food, sophisticated architecture, a lively dance scene etc, (which are all worth diving into), and yet you know that less than a couple hours down the road lies a rugged and barren paradise, where the heaviest locals are the ghost-eyed seals and swells march relentlessly from the Southern Ocean into waiting bays, reefs and points -- it's not an easy dilemma, especially if you're a goofyfoot. ADDRESS/CONTACT: University Studies Abroad Consortium, University of Nevada, Reno/323, Reno NV 89557 USA, 775-784-6569, http://usac.unr.edu, email: usac@unr.edu. DIRECT: Universidad Andres Bello, Campus Republica, Av. Republica 237 Metro Estacion Republica Mesa Central, Chile (+56)(2) 661 8001, www.unab.cl, email: admision@unab.cl UNIVESIDAD DE PAIS VASCO, GIPUZKO, SAN SEBASTIAN/DONOSTIA, SPAIN PROXIMITY AND ACCESS TO SURF: San Sebastian proper has a couple of decent beachbreaks and a good (but polluted) rivermouth that you can walk to from town. Mundaka, the best rivermouth left in Europe, is an hour down the road. BEST SEASON: September to March is the most consistent time for surf in the Basque County, though all those pretty green hillsides are green for a reason -- it rains a lot. Some winters, locals go weeks without seeing the sun. Fortunately, the Pyrenees -- home to some fine snowboarding -- are only a couple of hours up the road. HOW HARD TO GET IN: Comparable to mid-tide, head-high Mundaka. You need a 2.5 GPA to get in, and there's only space for 85, so it pays to register early. U.S. AFFILIATE: University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC), Reno, Nevada (see address below) COST: $7,182 per semester, not including room and board LANGUAGE: Spanish (Don't forget to lisp your C's though -- this is Castilian) LECTURE NOTES: San Sebastian has been called "the best place to learn Spanish" by many young Americans abroad, due in part to the sheer amount of time spent partying -- it's a proven fact that language acquisition is aided by a few cervezas, and the town of San Sebastian (Donostia in Basque) has been partying ever since Franco was overthrown. The narrow, cobblestoned streets coupled with fine and consistent (if a little chilly) surf makes for an enriching semester abroad. As alumnus Matt Lewandowski, (who attended the USAC program for two years) says, "it was great. We could walk to the beach all summer and surf every single day -- the classes were really flexible and the campus was beautiful." ADDRESS/CONTACT: University Studies Abroad Consortium, University of Nevada, Reno/323, Reno NV 89557 USA, 775-784-6569, a href=http://usac.unr.edu>http://usac.unr.edu, email: usac@unr.edu. Facultad de Filosof��a y Ciencias de la Educacion, Avda. de Tolosa, 70 E 20009 San Sebasti��n Gipuzkoa, +34 943 448256, http://www.ehu.es/ects/basque.html, email: sszlolic@scox01.sc.ehu.es TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN PROXIMITY AND ACCESS TO SURF: OK, so you're staring at a three-CD car ride to get to the nearest frigid, emerald peaks, but nowhere in the British Isles allows you to combine the cultural experience of a "proper" education with the turbulent North Atlantic more than TCD. Not only are you attending an institution that was founded in 1592 and lists literary giants like James Joyce and Oscar Wilde as its former students, a weekend fill of gut-wrenching Bundoran ledges or muscular Easky reefbreaks is just a half-tank of gas away. Even Dublin has the occasional windswell, but be forewarned: the water on the east side of Ireland is, in the words of one student: "radioactive." HOW HARD TO GET IN: Comparable to a below-sea-level supertube at Pmpa Point. Don't even bother applying if your SAT scores are below 1300. U.S. AFFILIATE: N/A COST: Approximately US$11,000 per year, depending on the exchange rate. LANGUAGE: English (but it still won't do you any good when you're reading Finnegan's Wake) . LECTURE NOTES: If your parents have their hearts set on you attending a Cambrige- or Oxford-quality school, convince them that Trinity is the perfect compromise. The quality of education is comparable, and your stress outlet will consist of hounding tubes instead of following the hounds on some foxhunt. Trinity even has a surf club headed by fourth-year student John Britton, son of the president of the Irish Surfing Association. Living on the wrong side of Ireland has other fringe benefits, as well. According to American surfer Todd Makurath, "The nightlife in Dublin is great. There's a great pub scene, of course, but good bands come through here all the time. We have this festival called 'Cream Fields Ireland' coming up soon, and bands like Beck, Outkast and Fat Boy Slim are playing. Oh, and those rumors about the Guinness are true: it tastes better here." ADDRESS/CONTACT: Admissions Office, West Theater, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland; Phone: + 353-1-608-1000; www.tcd.ie -- Marcus Sanders, Evan Slater and Matt Walker  |
| |||||
|
|
|
||||
 |
 |
|||||
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
