Welcome to the UBC Thunderbirds family! UBC Athletics & Recreation is an exciting part of your university experience – we offer exceptional opportunities that help you be your best while at university, build friendships and feel connected to the UBC community.
Beginning Your Athletics & Recreation Experience
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.
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.
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.
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 & Events:
UBC Recreation hosts numerous iconic events throughout the school year at varying levels of competition and it offers 10 different league sports throughout the school year in addition to a summer soccer league. While league sports and iconic events like Day of the LongBoat are on hiatus this fall, there's a new mix of online and in-person programs to choose from. These activities are designed to keep you connected to the UBC community whether you're in another country or nearby.
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 during public swim times
- 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
- Free drop-in public skating at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre - limited for Fall 2020 due to COVID-19
- Discounts on other drop-in offerings like figure skating, stick & puck, or hockey
- Discounts on skate rentals
- Discounts on Learn to Skate & Hockey Programs
- Discounted $40 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
Learn More
Joining us for Athletics & Recreation’s First Week? Curious about getting involved? Looking for more information on our programs? Here are some great resources to help start your adventure with UBC Recreation.
Find Your Rec
Answer a few short questions to get some customized recommendations and programs to try!
Join an Intramural Team
If you’re looking to meet other first year students, registering for one of the First Year Experience Intramural teams is a great way to connect with new people. When you sign up for one of these teams, you’ll be placed on a team with other new-to-UBC students and play weekly games in one of UBC Recreation’s intramural leagues.
Interested in setting up your own team? Be sure to check out UBC Recreation’s 10 intramural leagues to find out more information about registration and key dates.
Free Programs & Activities
Whether you’re on campus or at home this year, you’ll find a variety of programs and activities that are exclusive to you as a First Year student! From free online fitness classes, T-Birds Game Nights, an immersive virtual escape room experience during Jump Start, and many opportunities to win amazing prizes, get involved with UBC Athletics & Recreation for an awesome First Year Experience!
Resources to Get You Moving
Get Active at Home
Joining us virtually? Check out our Active at Home resource page on ways to get moving from anywhere.
Movement Breaks
Small changes can add up to big impacts – moving more can contribute to your wellbeing in meaningful ways. Follow along as the Move U Crew leads you through a quick, low-barrier movement break that can be incorporated into your next class, meeting, or event!
Move UBC
Move UBC is a university-wide annual initiative to increase physical activity and reduce the time students, staff, faculty and the UBC community spend sitting. Small changes can add up to big impacts—moving more and sitting less can improve both mental and physical health, impact academic and professional success, and contribute to wellbeing in meaningful ways.