Welcome to UBC Recreation

Take the following quiz to get instant recommendations and program explanations based on your goals and interests. You can take the survey as many times as you like, and all answers are completely anonymous. This quiz will take 10-15 minutes to complete.

Explore this section to discover some programs or events that might pique your interest, as well as learn about what's offered at UBC Recreation.

UBC Students

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. UBC Students can enjoy discounts on almost all UBC Recreation program offerings!

To learn more about what’s available to students and how to get involved, visit here.

Everyone is Welcome!

UBC Recreation offers exceptional physical activity experiences that help you improve your overall health and wellbeing, build connections to others, and try something new in the dynamic UBC environment. Learn more about the different options available for you at UBC Recreation:

• UBC Staff & Faculty
• Community Members
• Youth Members

UBC Staff and Faculty and UNA & CSC members can enjoy discounts and pricing on almost all UBC Recreation program offerings!

UBC Graduate/Doctorate Students

UBC Recreation offers exceptional physical activity experiences that help Grad Students: be their best while at University, build friendships and community, and enhance their wellbeing. UBC Grad Students can enjoy discounts on almost all UBC Recreation program offerings!

To learn more about what’s available to grad students and how to get involved, visit here.

Virtual Programs 

No matter where your start line may be this term, UBC Recreation has a program for you! Check out our top two free ways to stay virtually active from anywhere:

• Get Active at Home is a platform with a variety of free resources to help you thrive while studying from home, including virtual fitness classes, live movement breaks, free 4 week workout plans, and much more. Learn more about Active at Home here.
• Be sure to check out our Lunch & Lift Workshop series for a free 2-in-1 interactive wellbeing workshops consisting of a 30-minute movement class, followed by a 30-minute interactive wellbeing session facilitated by a UBC wellbeing professional. Register for a free Lunch & Lift Workshop here.

Be sure to come back and take the quiz once you know your place of residence, or explore different options above to get an idea of what’s available and convenient based on your place of residence!

Commuting to UBC

Living off campus is an exciting way to explore Vancouver while being apart of the UBC community, and UBC Recreation is here to help make that commute to campus easier! Here are a few ways you can stay active and make new friends while commuting:

• Adding a workout in during the day is a great way to limit stress and break up the time between classes or studying. The UBC Aquatic Centre is a great place to get a swim in and warm up on those rainy winter days, and has a popular study spot up in the Mezzanine. Best of all it is free for UBC Students and located right next to the bus loop (UBC Exchange Bay 1)!
• The BirdCoop & ARC Fitness Centres, in addition to being a great deal, is also an awesome place to get a speedy and efficient workout. A membership to the gym is only $40 per term so take advantage of this convenient and effective location for getting active. In addition to a fitness area and weight room there are showers and locker rooms located within the Student Recreation Centre & ARC. 
• Not living in a residence or on-campus housing can be challenging to meet people, but you’re not alone! Drop-in sports (basketball, badminton, table tennis, etc.) is a great way to make friends as they are free for UBC Students, hosted at various times throughout the day, and all equipment is provided.
• If you’re looking to take it up a notch you can join the Intramurals Free Agent Facebook Group (a Facebook account is needed to access the group), which connects you with other like minded students who are looking to form an Intramural Sports League! What is Intramural Leagues? Learn more here!

Explore UBC Recreations Programs

UBC Recreation has a diverse range of programming available for all your needs! Programming is broken up in lessons, events, classes, and drop-in opportunities at all of our facilities in the following broad unit areas. Explore the different unit areas available to find programs that may pique your interest.

• Move U Crew (mental health & physical fitness learning opportunities)
• Aquatics/Swimming
• Baseball
• Drop-In (drop-in sports like basketball, badminton, etc.)
• Fitness (fitness centres & classes)
• Ice
• Intramural Leagues & Events (competitive and/or casual league sports and events)
• Rowing
• Sport Clubs (competitive club sports)
• Tennis

*This is not an extensive list of all programs offered at UBC Recreation. Use these unit areas as a guide to help you locate what you are looking for!

Instructional & Lesson Based Programs

Instructional and lesson based programs are a great way to learn a new skill, or  work on developing an existing skill! These programs typically occur once or twice a week throughout the term, and have options for users of all abilities and skill levels. Check out what’s available:

• Tennis – Adult Lessons & Performance Programs
• Rowing – Adult Lessons
• Ice – Adult Hockey & Skating Programs
• Aquatics – Adult Lessons & Lifesaving Certifications 
• Fitness – Dance, Martial Arts, Cardio, Conditioning & Strength

Discounts are available for UBC Students, UBC Faculty & Staff, and UNA/CSC members. 

Competitive Sport Play Options 

UBC Recreation offers two different ways to play sports competitively, for a more in depth breakdown on the two categories, visit here. 

Thunderbird Sport Clubs (UBC TSC)

Thunderbirds Sport Clubs provides students with the opportunity to train, travel and compete in a sport against students from other Universities in a structured environment. Teams practice with coaching and partial funding over the duration of the full academic year.

• View Club Teams
• Athlete Prospective Form *fill out the following form to get in touch with the Sport Club of your choice 

Intramural Leagues

Intramural Leagues are the most accessible way to get active on campus. Minimal time commitment makes Intramurals an awesome way to take a break from studying, get your body moving, and make some friends on campus. All games happen on campus once per week in or at our UBC sport facilities. Each league runs for a term, so if you would like to switch it up from term to term – go for it!

Available leagues: Volleyball, Soccer, Basketball, Ultimate, Ice Hockey, and Dodgeball. 

• View Intramural Leagues
• Find like minded individuals looking to build a team at the Free Agent Facebook Group (a Facebook account is needed to access the group)

UBC Recreation is always looking for great people to join its team of staff and volunteers. We rely on both paid staff and volunteers to operate every aspect of our programs. If you are looking for paid employment opportunities, be sure to check out our Employment Web Page often to see up to date job postings. 

Another great opportunity to get involved is to join the Intramural Student Volunteer Program. For over 50 years, the Intramural staff have passionately volunteered their time and delivered some of UBC’s most iconic events, leagues, and marketing initiatives. It is a great way to gain valuable work experience while finding a community on campus. Learn more about the Intramurals Student Volunteer Program. 

Fun Ways to Stay Active 

There’s a reason UBC Recreations programs are often featured on “UBC Bucket List Challenges”! Here are the top two programs that always make the list, and will be sure to make yours as well:

Intramural Events

UBC Intramurals hosts numerous iconic events throughout the school year! Each year new events are rotated in, but the top three most iconic ones are Day of the Longboat, Great Trek, and Storm the Wall. Not only are these some of the largest Intramural Events in North America, these are a great way to make new friends and take part in some UBC’s oldest traditions. 

Learn more about Intramural Events here!

Free Week

Free Week is a great way to try out any of those fitness classes you have been eyeing! Open to everyone, come try out any instructor-led fitness class with UBC Recreation. Learn a new skill or re-connect to your favourite dance class, yoga class, spin class, fitness class, or martial arts class – right here on campus. No experience is required for any of the classes and all abilities are welcome!

Free Week is hosted at the start of every term, learn more here!

Drop-in sports are a fun and easy way to meet people on campus. You can come alone or with friends, and play against other students! We offer sports such as basketball, badminton, and more at various times throughout the week. Best of all, drop-in sports are free for UBC Students!

• View the Drop-In Sports Schedule

Intramural Leagues are also a great way to meet new people, keep in touch with your friends each week, and connect with your different campus communities! Don’t have a team? We’ve got you covered with Free Agent! Free Agent is designed to connect people who are looking for a team or for teams that are looking for more players.

Available leagues: Volleyball, Soccer, Basketball, Ultimate, Ice Hockey, and Dodgeball. 

• Join the Free Agent Facebook Group (a Facebook account is needed to access the group)
• Learn more about Intramural Leagues

Stress management is an important aspects of leading a healthy life. Managing your stress has a variety of benefits ranging from getting better sleep, weight control, and even can help you get sick less often.

Here are some easy ways to reduce stress and get moving throughout the day:

• Drop-In Swim Schedule at the UBC Aquatic Centre
• Yoga & Pilates Classes
• Wellbeing Walks *45-minute themed lunch walk around campus

Physical activity is a foundation for a healthy lifestyle, and developing a movement routine is a great way to start. The Move U Crew is offering free 1-on-1 peer Physical Activity Coaching sessions. Within these 30-minute sessions, we will help you to break down your barriers, set goals and suggest ways to fit physical activity that interests you into your busy schedule. These sessions are completely free and open to students, staff, faculty, and community members of all fitness levels and abilities.

• Register for a free Physical Activity Coaching Sessions

Another great way to developing a movement routine is to set up a movement schedule each week. Get Active at Home has created free four-week exercise workout plans for those who are new to fitness, or for those who are looking to change up their current routine. If you are looking to lose weight, tone up, gain muscle, increase cardiovascular fitness, and increase strength, sign up today to receive your four-week workout plan. 

• Sign up for your free 4 Week Fitness Plan

At UBC we believe that every individual is unique in their physical activity needs and that through recreation you can connect with the community, cope with stress, and improve your overall health and wellbeing. Knowing your goals for being active can help you to determine the best options available to fit your lifestyle. The Physical Activity office puts on a wide variety of programming throughout the year focused on mental health and improving your wellbeing ranging from Walking Programs to interactive wellbeing sessions.

Explore our Get Moving Programs to find the right fit for you!

Whether you have a current fitness routine, or you are looking to change it up with strength or aerobic conditioning, our Fitness program has something for everyone. Check out three ways you can get moving:

• Fitness Centres – we have two fitness facilities on campus, the BirdCoop Fitness Centre and the ARC Fitness Centre. These facilities offer gym memberships, women’s only fitness times, and a climbing cave.
• Cardio, Conditioning, & Strength Classes –  these classes highlights exercises that focus on the muscles associated with overall cardio and strength training.
• Free 4 Week Fitness Plan –  if you are looking to lose weight, tone up, gain muscle, increase cardiovascular fitness, and increase strength, sign up today to receive your free four-week workout plan. 

UBC Recreation is committed to providing an inclusive, accessible, and respectful experience for all of its patrons, volunteers, and staff. An individual’s physical or mental ability, level of health or wellbeing, physical size or fitness level; sexual orientation, gender identity or expression; racial, ethnic, or cultural identity should not be a barrier to anyone visiting our facilities or participating in our programs. For more information on programs available, visit here.

Women’s (Trans Welcome) and Two-Spirit, Trans, Gender Diverse, & Women’s programs provide a safe, comfortable and fun atmosphere for people who self-identify as a woman, two-spirited, or gender deiverse. Whether you are just learning to use equipment or looking to get a great workout in a group setting or private environment, these programs are designed to encourage people of all abilities to use our facilities and encourage equitable participation in physical activity. We offer a variety of programs for those self-identify as any of the aforementioned persons. Learn more here. 

Virtual Programs 

No matter where your start line may be this term, UBC Recreation has a program for you! Check out our top two free ways to stay virtually active from anywhere:

• Get Active at Home is a platform with a variety of free resources to help you thrive while studying from home, including virtual fitness classes, live movement breaks, free 4 week workout plans, and much more. Learn more about Active at Home here.
• Be sure to check out our Lunch & Lift Workshop series for a free 2-in-1 interactive wellbeing workshops consisting of a 30-minute movement class, followed by a 30-minute interactive wellbeing session facilitated by a UBC wellbeing professional. Register for a free Lunch & Lift Workshop here.

UBC Baseball Rose Indoor Training Centre

The UBC Baseball Rose Indoor Training Centre (RITC) is home to the UBC Thunderbirds Baseball Team and is a state-of-the-art indoor training facility located beside the Tourmaline West Baseball Stadium. Designed for baseball, with 4 full-size batting cages and pitching machines, the RITC is the premiere baseball facility in British Columbia. Check out what’s available:

• Baseball Cage Rentals

Rentals can be requested by calling 604-822-5770 or by emailing itc.info@ubc.ca for booking requests.

Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre (Ice)

The Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre is home to three ice rinks and offers a variety of hockey and skating programs for people of all ages and skill levels. Whether it’s your first time on the ice, or you’re looking to refresh your hockey skills, we have a program for you! Check out what’s available: 

• Thunderbird Adult Hockey League
• Adult Programs 
• Drop-In Ice Hockey & Skating 

Thunderbird Sport Clubs (UBC TSC) 

The UBC Thunderbirds Sport Clubs (UBC TSC) is a competitive sport program for UBC Students. Launched in September 2015, UBC TSC currently features twelve sports and fourteen teams which include: Alpine Skiing, Artistic Swimming, Cycling, Equestrian, Field Lacrosse, Nordic Skiing, Quidditch, Sailing, Table Tennis, Men’s Tennis, Women’s Tennis, Triathlon, Men’s Ultimate and Women’s Ultimate Sport Clubs. TSC student athletes get to experience representing UBC in competition locally, across Canada and in the United States. Following a pay-to-play model, Sport Clubs provide the opportunity for students to be part of a team, build community, develop leadership skills and train for the sport they love! Learn more:

• View Club Teams
• Athlete Prospective Form *fill out the following form to get in touch with the Sport Club of your choice 

For detailed information on how to join, visit here. 

Fitness & Classes

We have two fitness facilities on campus: The BirdCoop Fitness Centre and the ARC Fitness Centre. These facilities offer gym memberships, women’s only fitness times, climbing cave, a variety of fitness classes, as well as personal training for individuals of all fitness levels. Check out what’s available:

• Memberships
• Personal Training
• Fitness Centre Schedule
• Registration Based Classes – Dance, Martial Arts, Cardio, Conditioning, & Strength
• Drop-In Fitness Classes Schedule – (Boot Camps, Group Fitness Classes, Spin Classes, Yoga & Pilates Classes)

Try out all the fitness classes for free at Free Week! Free Week is a week long event held at the start of each term, and is a great way to try out any of those fitness classes you have been eyeing. Open to everyone, come try out any instructor-led fitness class with UBC Recreation. No experience is required for any of the classes and all abilities are welcome! Learn more about Free Week here.

Discounts are available for UBC Students, UBC Faculty & Staff, and UNA/CSC members. 

UBC Tennis Centre

We invite all Vancouver tennis players to come experience the UBC Tennis Centre – the only public indoor tennis facility in Vancouver! We offer instruction and services for people of all ages and all levels of playing ability to improve their skills and enjoy their tennis experience. Learn more:

• Adult Programs 
• Performance Programs 
• Court Bookings

Discounts are available for UBC Students, UBC Faculty & Staff, and UNA/CSC members. 

Intramural Leagues

Participate in one of the many intramural league sports offered at UBC which includes: Volleyball, Soccer, Basketball, 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.

• View Leagues
• Free Agent Facebook Group *find individuals looking to build a team. A Facebook account is needed to access the group.

UBC Aquatic Centre

The UBC Aquatic Centre is located right in the heart of campus and is a state of the art facility for all your aquatics need! We offer drop-in swimming, aquacize fitness classes, swimming lessons, springboard diving lessons, learn to scuba dive, advanced aquatics, first aid courses, and more. Check out what’s available:

• Adult Swim Lessons
• Aquatics & Lifesaving Certifications
• Drop-In Swim & Aqua Fitness Schedule

UBC Students have free access to the Aquatic Centre, and discounts are available for UBC Faculty & Staff, and UNA/CSC members. 

Drop-In Opportunities

Drop-in sports and activities provide an easy way to be physically active with no time commitment. UBC Recreation offers a variety of activities on a daily basis across campus (all equipment will be provided for, or can be rented from the facility). Enjoy the flexibility of drop-in opportunities, and check out what’s available:

• Drop-In Sports (Basketball, Badminton, Table Tennis, etc.)
• Drop-In Activities – Ice Skating & Ice Hockey, Swimming, Fitness Centre & Classes

Discounts are available for UBC Students, UBC Faculty & Staff, and UNA/CSC members. 

Drop-In Opportunities

Drop-in sports and activities provide an easy way to be physically active with no time commitment. UBC Recreation offers a variety of activities on a daily basis across campus (all equipment will be provided for, or can be rented from the facility). Enjoy the flexibility of drop-in opportunities, and check out what’s available:

• Drop-In Sports (Basketball, Badminton, Table Tennis, etc.)
• Drop-In Activities – Ice Skating & Ice Hockey, Swimming, Fitness Centre & Classes

Discounts are available for UBC Students, UBC Faculty & Staff, and UNA/CSC members. 

Group Fitness Classes

Group fitness classes are a great way to get a workout in during your free time! UBC Recreation offers a variety fitness and aqua fitness classes on a drop-in basis that occur at various times throughout the term, or registration based fitness classes that occur on a set schedule. These classes are suitable for users of all fitness abilities! Check out what’s available:

• Drop-In Aqua Fitness Schedule *free for UBC Students
• Drop-In Fitness Classes Schedule – Boot Camps, Group Fitness Classes, Spin Classes, Flow Yoga, Hatha Yoga, and Pilates Classes)
• Registration Based Fitness Classes – Dance, Martial Arts, Cardio, Conditioning & Strength

Try out all of the fitness classes for free during Free Week! Free Week is hosted at the start of every term, learn more here!

Discounts are available for UBC Students, UBC Faculty & Staff, and UNA/CSC members. 

Intramural Leagues

Participate in one of the many intramural league sports offered at UBC which includes: Volleyball, Soccer, Basketball, 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.

• View Leagues
• Free Agent Facebook Group *find individuals looking to build a team. A Facebook account is needed to access the group.

Competitive Sport Play Options 

UBC Recreation offers two different ways to play sports competitively, for a more in depth breakdown on the two categories, visit here. 

Thunderbird Sport Clubs (UBC TSC)

Thunderbirds Sport Clubs provides students with the opportunity to train, travel and compete in a sport against students from other Universities in a structured environment. Teams practice with coaching and partial funding over the duration of the full academic year.

• View Club Teams
• Athlete Prospective Form *fill out the following form to get in touch with the Sport Club of your choice 

Intramural Leagues

Intramural Leagues are the most accessible way to get active on campus. Minimal time commitment makes Intramurals an awesome way to take a break from studying, get your body moving, and make some friends on campus. All games happen on campus once per week in or at our UBC sport facilities. Each league runs for a term, so if you would like to switch it up from term to term – go for it!

Available leagues: Volleyball, Soccer, Basketball, Ultimate, Ice Hockey, and Dodgeball. 

• View Intramural Leagues
• Find like minded individuals looking to build a team at the Free Agent Facebook Group (a Facebook account is needed to access the group)

Thunderbird Sport Clubs (UBC TSC) 

The UBC Thunderbirds Sport Clubs (UBC TSC) is a competitive sport program for UBC Students. Launched in September 2015, UBC TSC currently features twelve sports and fourteen teams which include: Alpine Skiing, Artistic Swimming, Cycling, Equestrian, Field Lacrosse, Nordic Skiing, Quidditch, Sailing, Table Tennis, Men’s Tennis, Women’s Tennis, Triathlon, Men’s Ultimate and Women’s Ultimate Sport Clubs. TSC student athletes get to experience representing UBC in competition locally, across Canada and in the United States. Following a pay-to-play model, Sport Clubs provide the opportunity for students to be part of a team, build community, develop leadership skills and train for the sport they love! Learn more:

• View Club Teams
• Athlete Prospective Form *fill out the following form to get in touch with the Sport Club of your choice 

For detailed information on how to join, visit here. 

Explore UBC Recreations Programs

UBC Recreation has a diverse range of programming available for all your needs! Programming is broken up in lessons, events, classes, and drop-in opportunities at all of our facilities in the following broad unit areas. Explore the different unit areas available to find programs that may pique your interest.

• Move U Crew (mental health & physical fitness learning opportunities)
• Aquatics/Swimming
• Baseball
• Drop-In (drop-in sports like basketball, badminton, etc.)
• Fitness (fitness centres & classes)
• Ice
• Intramural Leagues & Events (competitive and/or casual league sports and events)
• Rowing
• Sport Clubs (competitive club sports)
• Tennis

*This is not an extensive list of all programs offered at UBC Recreation. Use these unit areas as a guide to help you locate what you are looking for!

Drop-in sports are a fun and easy way to meet people on campus. You can come alone or with friends, and play against other students! We offer sports such as basketball, badminton, and more at various times throughout the week. Best of all, drop-in sports are free for UBC Students!

• View the Drop-In Sports Schedule

Intramural Leagues are also a great way to meet new people, keep in touch with your friends each week, and connect with your different campus communities! Don’t have a team? We’ve got you covered with Free Agent! Free Agent is designed to connect people who are looking for a team or for teams that are looking for more players.

Available leagues: Volleyball, Soccer, Basketball, Ultimate, Ice Hockey, and Dodgeball. 

• Join the Free Agent Facebook Group (a Facebook account is needed to access the group)
• Learn more about Intramural Leagues

UBC Recreation continually monitors and adjusts its COVID-19 safety measures in accordance with local health authorities and provincial sports organizations. Check out the latest updates on COVID-19 safety before each visit.

UBC Recreation offers discounts and reduced rates for UBC Students, UBC Faculty & Staff, and UNA/CSC members, as well as free options for UBC Students. We encourage you to explore the programs of your choice to take advantage of these discounts (all rates are listed when registering for a program).

For a complete list of discounts available to students, visit here.