How do UBC Students get involved in recreation at UBC?
UBC Recreation aims to offer exceptional physical activity experiences that help Students: be their best while at University, build friendships and community, discover new ways to be active, and live a healthy school-life balance.
Reach your full potential at school
A little physical activity can go a long way at school! From reduced stress and anxiety, to better cognitive performance and increased productivity, as well as improved mood, UBC Recreation aims to help you reach be your best while on campus.
"It’s easy to get caught up in the stresses of student life, but it’s important to have balance."
- Julian Asselstine
Make friendships and build a community
Students who participate in recreation programs at UBC are more likely to report that they have supportive friendships and a sense of belonging at UBC. Taking a break from studying to enjoy some fresh air or physical activity with friends or classmates can make a world of a difference for your student experience.
"It was a huge stress reliever for me. I got to spend time with friends each week, have fun, and get some well-needed exercise."
- Michael Suey
Challenge yourself and try something new
Picking up a new hobby or activity can be intimidating or daunting, but there are plenty of affordable and fun opportunities to learn new sports or activities at UBC.
"After I started playing tennis, the quality of my life improved. After one clinic I was able to start playing with others and incorporate balance into my busy schedule."
- Minjong Kang
Fitness Centre Memberships:
One affordable membership gives you unlimited access to two fitness centres on campus. Round out your weekly workouts by adding on memberships for Yoga & Pilates and Spin & Group Fitness classes to help you fit activity into your day.
Free Drop-In Sports at the SRC:
The SRC offers a variety of drop-in sports (from badminton, to futsal, to table tennis) that UBC Students can attend for free with a valid UBC card.
Aqua Fitness Classes:
Increase your physical activity, flexibility, and have fun in a low-impact setting. Drop-In Aqua Fitness classes are free to attend with a valid Student ID card, plus you can relax afterwards in the hot tub, steam room, or sauna – does it get much better than that?
Intramural Leagues:
Participate in one of the ten intramural league sports offered at UBC which includes: Volleyball, Soccer, 4v4 Soccer, Inner Tube Water Polo, Basketball, Flag Football, Futsal, Ultimate, Ice Hockey, and Dodgeball. Each league team has games once a week on campus, allowing students to quickly de-stress from studying and fit in a quick moment for sports with their friends amidst crazy school schedules. These leagues are catered to student schedules and student budgets.
Intramural Events
UBC has a legacy of iconic Intramural Events every year. Kick off the school year with 7 of your friends at Day of the LongBoat, a voyageur canoe race at Jericho beach, blow off some mid-semester steam at Gladiator, an event jam-packed with massive inflatable challenges, or wrap up your year with Storm the Wall which is a relay event that ends with your team “storming” a 12 foot wall. There are multiple intramural events happening every month of the year and whether you participate in a competitive team or just-for-fun, it’s guaranteed to be a memorable experience for you and your friends!
UBC Thunderbirds Sport Clubs:
UBC TSC is a competitive sport option on campus that is for students, by students. This program offers opportunities for highly competitive students to officially represent the university in sports at the non-varsity level, to build community, and to gain leadership and sport management skills. If you trained in one of the available sports in high school, or are looking to diversify your athletic skillset this may be the community for you.
Learn to Play Tennis:
Learn to play tennis with Adult 1.0 Clinics! These programs focus on the fundamentals and basics of tennis and include 4 or 5 weeks of coaching. From there you can progress to further levels of singles clinics or drills, or take an Intro to Doubles clinic! UBC Students get a discount on all programs, and you can also practice your skills with court booking discounts!
Learn to Swim:
Did you know that UBC Recreation offers a variety of swim lessons designed for students? For beginners, you can learn the life skill of swimming for just $3 per lesson for 8 sessions, the swim instructors will show you the basics of moving through the water!
Learn to Skate:
Want to learn Canada’s sport? Start with skating basics at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre. Our friendly and knowledgeable instructors will teach you skating and stopping basics so you can hop on the ice with your friends!
Please note all of these discounts are available to UBC Students when they have paid their A&R Fee with their student fees, and when they present a valid Student ID card.
Facility Membership & Drop-In Fees:
- Free drop-in swimming at the UBC Aquatic Centre including the steam room & sauna during public swim times
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- Includes free access to Drop-In Aqua Fitness Classes
- Discounts on Specialty Drop-In Aqua Fitness Classes
- $3 Student Swim Lessons for Beginners
- Discounts on Adult Lessons
- Discounts on Advanced Programs, Certifications, and other Adult Aquatics Programs
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- Free drop-in public skating at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre
- Discounts on other drop-in offerings like figure skating, stick & puck, or hockey
- Discounts on skate rentals
- Discounts on Learn to Skate & Hockey Programs
- Discounts on fitness centre memberships at the BirdCoop & ARC
- Discounts on fitness classes, boot camps, dance classes, martial arts classes, as well as yoga and Pilates classes
- Discounts on personal training packages
- Free drop-in sports at the Student Recreation Centre and ARC
- Discounts on adult programs at the UBC Tennis Centre
- Student Drills Sessions are a dedicated program just for UBC Students to take their tennis game to the next level during the lunch hour
- Discounted Court Bookings during specific student hours
Features for Students
Summer Thunderbird Adult Leagues
Register by May 1, 2023
Kick off your summer by playing in our Summer Thunderbird Adult Leagues! Registration for the Summer Thunderbird Adult Soccer, Softball, and Roundnet Leagues are now available:
Spring & Summer Programs
Registration Now Open!
Check out the opportunities that await you this spring/summer, and try something new with UBC Recreation! From fitness classes, to ice skating lessons, to tennis drills, and everything in between – you can now register for programs that run from May through August 2023.
Summer Free Week
Tuesday, May 22 – Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Save the date! Free Week is back this May where you will be able to join in on a huge variety of FREE instructor-led classes, including martial arts, dance, cardio, conditioning & strength, and more!
Fitness Memberships
Available for purchase April 26 @ 10:00 AM
UBC Recreation’s Spring & Summer UBC Student Fitness Memberships offer access to the ARC & BirdCoop Fitness Centres and a variety of group fitness activities, including Spin, Yoga & Pilates, and Boot Camps.
- $45 – Unlimited access to all Group Fitness Classes and the ARC & BirdCoop fitness centres
- Membership valid from May 1 – August 31, 2023
Drop-In Activities
FREE ways to stay active with UBC Recreation!
Drop-in activities at UBC Recreation provide an easy way to be physically active, and participants of all skill levels are welcome to take part! Check out what’s available for FREE for all UBC Students:
- Sport equipment rentals with Moves on MacInnes
- Drop-in sports at the SRC
- Drop-in open studio time at the SRC and ARC
- Drop-in skating at the DMTSC
Hear from other UBC Students
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