Imagine arriving at school in your board shorts and paddling out on your surfboard for your first class of the day. <\/p>\n
Sound like a dream come true? <\/p>\n
It\u2019s actually very real for students at Honolulu Waldorf School in Niu Valley. In fact, the surf class is part of the school\u2019s curriculum and its \u201cmorning movement choice,\u201d where students are given the option of three activities to get their blood flowing. <\/p>\n
\u201cOur whole high school chooses one of three options to get their day started,\u201d explains fine arts teacher Lynn Liverton. \u201cDepending on the time of the year, there\u2019s yoga, field games, a P90X class, canoe paddling when paddling is in season, and surfing during the spring and summer months.\u201d <\/p>\nngg_shortcode_0_placeholder\n
As you can imagine, surfing is a very popular choice with many students. The surf class starts at 7:55 a.m. and lasts about 40 minutes. Students hit the surf outside the East Honolulu campus four days a week, Tuesday through Friday. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe ask that the students who participate have some surf experience and have their own equipment, if possible,\u201d says Liverton. \u201cIt\u2019s not for the faint of heart, but at the same time we don\u2019t send them out when conditions are too big, no matter how experienced they are. If there\u2019s a high-surf advisory, we won\u2019t let them in the ocean or any dangerous situation.\u201d <\/p>\n
Liverton and humanities teacher Greg Stock join the students in the water. For safety reasons, only 15 students are allowed to paddle out for the morning session. If there are fewer than 10 students, then one teacher will monitor activity from shore. <\/p>\n
\u201cOur priority is always to make sure the students get in and out safely,\u201d says Liverton, who has been teaching at Honolulu Waldorf School since 1996. \u201cSometimes we allow them to paddle out early so they can have a longer session, but everyone shares waves and looks out for each other.\u201d <\/p>\n
The sport of surfing is not new to Honolulu Waldorf School. For several years, the school has had a surf club, which is open to all students, faculty and the Waldorf community. <\/p>\n
Liverton says the school is fortunate to have several quality reef breaks in its backyard. \u201cThere aren\u2019t many schools that are on the ocean, and where students can hop over a wall, climb down a ladder and jump in,\u201d she chuckles. \u201cOf course, they\u2019re not allowed to do so unless they\u2019re in surf club or in surf class. It\u2019s such a beautiful setting.\u201d <\/p>\n
Besides getting their day off to a healthy start, the students also form strong bonds and healthy relationships by being out in the ocean together. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe have foreign exchange students with us, and we hope our students can get those kids involved too,\u201d says Liverton, who also teaches yoga. \u201cBecause surfing is seasonal, we notice there\u2019s a big difference when we don\u2019t have this. It\u2019s like they just need it, they need to move to wake up!\u201d <\/p>\n
Liverton says teachers have noticed a shift in energy with all students ever since they moved P.E. to the morning. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe kids are definitely more engaged for their longest academic class of the day once they get the blood going,\u201d says Liverton. \u201cWe know there are a bunch of studies that say that, but it\u2019s a sure thing when we see it firsthand.\u201d <\/p>\n
She and others are grateful that school officials had the vision to allow such a program to exist. \u201cThe water is the best, it really calms everybody,\u201d says Liverton. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a definite excitement with the students when they come out of the ocean!\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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