UBC Rec’s Ultimate Guide for NEW Students

Here’s a quick guide to commonly used terms at UBC Recreation, tailored to what will be most useful during your first weeks at UBC:

General

• UBC Rec/Recreation

UBC Recreation's goal is to promote physical activity, wellness, and community engagement within the UBC Vancouver campus. We offer a variety of programs and services, including fitness classes, sports leagues, large-scale events, and more. Our facilities include fitness centres, aquatic centre, sports fields, arena and more.

• Recreation Login

UBC Recreation's registration system. To register into any of our programming, you must create an account.

Programs and Events

• Free Week

A week during which you can try out a variety of fitness programs and activities for FREE! Open to UBC students, UBC staff & faculty, and the public, programs are available across several recreation facilities at UBC Vancouver’s Point Grey campus.

• Intramurals (IM)

Recreational sports leagues and events for UBC students, faculty, and staff. UBC Recreation hosts numerous iconic events throughout the school year at varying levels of competition and it offers 11 different league sports throughout the school year.

• Thunderbird Sport Clubs (TSC) 

UBC Thunderbirds Sport Clubs is a competitive sport program for UBC Students. Currently features thirteen sports and fifteen teams which include: Alpine Skiing, Artistic Swimming, Curling, Cycling, Equestrian, Field Lacrosse, Nordic Skiing, Quadball, Sailing, Table Tennis, Men’s Tennis, Women’s Tennis, Triathlon, Men’s Ultimate, and Women’s Ultimate.

Facilities

• ARC

One of two full-service fitness and weight room facilities on campus, located in the lower level of the UBC Life Building. To access the ARC, you must purchase a fitness membership.

• Student Recreation Center (SRC)

Home of UBC Recreation, the UBC Student Recreation Centre offers an upper triple court gymnasium (view drop-in sport schedules), a dance studio and a martial arts dojo with matted floor. The SRC also houses the Birdcoop Fitness Centre.

• BirdCoop

One of two full-service fitness and weight room facilities on campus, located on the main level of the SRC. Also includes the BirdCoop Climbing Cave. To access the BirdCoop Fitness Centre and Climbing Cave, you must purchase a fitness membership.

• DMTSC/Thunderbird Arena

The Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre, home to three ice rinks on campus and host of many concerts.

• Rec North/Recreation Centre North

The newest facility currently being built on the large plaza space situated immediately north of the UBC Life Building. This new facility features three gymnasium courts, an indoor run, roll, walk track and 3-level fitness centre.

People and Categories

• Women (Trans Women Welcome)

This category includes all trans and cis women who are comfortable in a space that centres the experiences of women. Students are encouraged to visit the ARC Lower Level Studio during special Women (Trans Women Welcome) fitness hours.

• Two-Spirit, Trans, Non-Binary (2STNB)

This category includes all who identify as two-spirit, trans, and non-binary. Students are encouraged to visit the ARC Lower Level Studio during special Two-Spirit, Trans, Non-Binary (2STNB) fitness hours.

• Free Agents

Individuals who are not part of a team but want to participate in Intramural Leagues or Events. Free Agents may register as an individual for intramural events and leagues to be placed on a team or attend a Free Agent meeting to meet up with other Free Agents and form a team on the spot.

Our Brand Story

• Thunder

UBC's mascot.

• Thunderbirds

Thunderbirds symbol provides a point of pride for current and past members of the UBC family of students, faculty and staff. How the Thunderbirds symbol came to represent UBC has its roots in our earliest history. It symbolizes the relationship between UBC and the Indigenous peoples on whose traditional territory UBC resides. Discover the story of our Thunderbirds name and the legacy of its power.

Full-time undergraduate and graduate students pay an Athletics and Recreation (A&R) fee every year as of September 1, 2024. What can you do as a student to get the most out of it?

1) Unlock FREE Perks with Your UBC Card!

UBC Rec offers a variety of FREE drop-in sessions for all UBC students with a valid UBC card at our facilities. These include:

• *Drop-in sports at the SRC (badminton, basketball, futsal, table tennis, and volleyball)
• *Drop-in studio time at the SRC & ARC
• *Drop-in swim at the Aquatic Centre
• *Drop- in skate at the Thunderbird Arena (during public skating time only)
  • Helmet or skate rental: $4.50
• Rent equipment to use on MacInnes Field (soccer balls, rugby balls, Spikeball sets, and more)

*Be sure to check the drop-in schedule for each facility prior to your visit.

2) Access Free and Easy Campus Activities

UBC Recreation is dedicated to providing welcoming, accessible, and enjoyable physical recreation opportunities for everyone on campus. We offer free and low-barrier activities suitable for all abilities, backgrounds, and fitness levels, making it easy to fit physical activity into your busy schedule:

• Biweekly | Wellbeing Walk & Rolls: Enjoy a 45-minute themed lunch walk and roll around campus. It’s a great chance to meet new people, explore the campus, have some fun, and get moving! Check out the schedule here.
• Monthly | Lunch + Lift Workshops: Participate in a 2-in-1 interactive wellbeing workshop, including a 30-minute movement class followed by a 30-minute interactive session with a UBC wellbeing professional. View the schedule here.

3) Get a Student Fitness Membership

Students get discounted rates at the ARC and BirdCoop fitness centres, as well as Group Fitness classes, with memberships available for purchase online:

Membership valid from September 1 – December 31, 2024

Take advantage of Free Week (September 9–15) to find the perfect fitness membership for you. Try out as many group fitness classes as you want before committing, and explore a variety of registered (series-based) fitness classes like dance, martial arts, and cardio, conditioning, and strength classes. Registered fitness classes are excluded from memberships but are still offered at discounted rates for students, making it the perfect time to sample what fits your existing or new interests!

4) Try out Personal Training

Let our trainers design a long-term strategy to help you reach your fitness and health goals. UBC Recreation’s Personal Trainers are UBC Students or new Personal Trainers, so we are able to offer the lowest-priced personal training packages in Vancouver!

To get started with personal training, fill out the following form to get set up for a FREE consultation:

Get Started with a Personal Trainer Interest Form

5) Use Discounted Rates at A&R Facilities

You get the idea: if a UBC facility offers something, UBC students can access it at special student pricing. This includes discounted rates at:

• UBC Tennis Centre: Court bookings and Adult Tennis Lessons
• UBC Aquatic Centre: Adult Swim Lessons (including $3 UBC Student Swim Lessons!)
• UBC Baseball Rose Indoor Training Centre: Baseball Cage Rentals
• UBC Thunderbird Arena: Adult Ice Lessons

At UBC Recreation, we’re all about building connections. Discover top 3 ways to find your community, whether you're new to UBC or looking to expand your social circle!

1) Join Intramural Leagues

Intramural Leagues are a fantastic way to make new friends, strengthen existing bonds, and balance academics with fun. UBC Rec offers 11 different sport leagues:

With level of play ranging from just for fun to competitive, there's something for everyone. Registration for Fall Leagues opens September 4 @ 1PM and spots fill up quickly! Here are a few pro-tips for first-year students:

• Have Your Team Captain Ready: Only the team captain needs to register your team. You can adjust your roster later, so secure your spot as soon as possible!
• Note the Fees: The fees listed on the website are for teams, not individuals.
• Free Agent?: If you’re looking to join a team, check out the Fall Free Agent meetings on September 11 & 12. More information here.

2) Participate in Iconic Events

UBC Intramurals hosts a variety of iconic events throughout the term, offering fantastic opportunities to check off items from your UBC student bucket list and kick off the term with a splash.

One highlight is the infamous Day of the LongBoat, an annual signature event that takes place on the shores of Jericho Beach. It features the largest voyageur canoe race in the world, where teams of 8 to 10 race to the finish line. Teams can choose to compete in just-for-fun or competitive heats. It’s a spectacular event to experience, check out the highlights from 2023:

No team? No problem! Join us at the Free Agent Meetings on September 11 & 12, where we’ll place you on a team with other Free Agents. This could be the start of some of your best friendships at UBC.

Mark your calendars for August 21 at 1PM when registration opens for all intramural events, including Day of the LongBoat. Don’t forget to also explore other exciting events happening throughout the term here.

3) Get Active for Less

If none of these options fit your needs and you’re feeling completely lost on where to start, this is the place for you. Check out:

• Recreation 101 | Oct 7 - Nov 6

For just $10, you’ll get the scoop on all things Recreation. This program will introduce you to a variety of activities on campus while providing opportunities to meet new people and have fun! Running every Monday and Wednesday from October 7 to November 6, you can expect to participate in active sessions like bootcamps, martial arts, pilates, along with health and wellness curriculum.

• Move More, Learn More | Oct 7 - Nov 27

Move More, Learn More is an interactive health education program designed for Asian women (trans women welcome) - a group with (on average) low levels of physical activity, however all women are welcome to participate. This eight week program includes two scheduled weekly sessions (a health and wellness curriculum plus a private group activity) as well as one free drop-in to a UBC Recreation movement offering each week for just $25!

Please note that both programs open for registration August 21 @ 1PM.

Whether you’re preparing for Jump Start, moving into residences, or finding your fastest commute routes, we’re here to help you navigate your first week at UBC. There’s a lot happening—here’s what you should focus on:

Meet Us In-Person!

We’ll be active in-person across campus during the first weeks. Come meet us and ask any questions you might have about:

• Recreation
  📍 Main Mall @ Agronomy Road
  📅 September 3
  ⏰ 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM

• TSC
  📍 Main Mall @ Scarfe
  📅 September 3
  ⏰ 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM

• Intramurals
  📍 Main Mall
  📅 September 10
  ⏰ 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Get FREE T-Shirts!

Every year, UBC Recreation gives out free t-shirts to first-year students. Come find us, get your free shirt, and ask any questions:

• September 3
  📍 MacInnes Field
  ⏰ 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM

• September 4
  📍 MacInnes Field
  ⏰ 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Not a first-year student? No worries! You can still stop by, ask questions, and grab some cool UBC Recreation swag.

Rent a Locker

Did you know you can rent long-term lockers at the SRC, ARC, and UBC Aquatic Centre? These are perfect for storing your stuff on campus or if you frequently use our facilities. Availability is limited, so be sure to rent a locker online or in person during your first weeks at UBC!

Join Us for a Campus Walk!

Register for a FREE Campus Walk with the Move U Crew on September 11! Walk down Main Mall, meet new people, and learn about Move U Crew services and ways to stay active on campus.

Homecoming 2024

Join thousands of screaming fans as generations of Thunderbirds come together to celebrate at UBC’s largest school spirit event of the year, the annual Homecoming Football Game presented by Fizz Mobile.

Let’s get out and cheer on our Thunderbirds as they take on the University of Saskatchewan! Get your tickets here.

Add these events to your calendar as reminders, so you don’t miss out on any opportunities!