By Kathryn Bender, Star-Bulletin
Instructor John Winieski, left, and Ian Masterson are
pioneering a college course on surf technology.
WCC offers class
Star-Bulletin
on surf science
A university-level program in surf science would seem natural for Hawaii, but it took a school in England offering a Surf Science and Technology degree to bring the idea home to Windward Community College. Student Ian Masterson had one of those "why didn't I think of that" moments in March while reading the newspaper. He had come across an inconspicuous three-inch mention of the Surf Science degree being introduced by Plymouth University.
"I decided it was time to do something here in Hawaii, since this is where the sport began."
Masterson - a student, small business owner, surfer and musician with Dread Ashanti - worked with the WCC continuing education department to create an experimental summer course entitled "Introduction to Surf Science and Technology."
Registration is being taken for the noncredit class, which runs 10 a.m. to noon weekdays from June 21 through July 2, with 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday labs on June 26 and July 3. The cost is $130. Swimming skill is a prerequisite.
The course is designed to prepare students for a career in the surf industry by taking a holistic approach to understanding the historical and modern surfing world, beginning with a scientific approach to understanding the formation of waves and factors that affect surf conditions and leading to understanding surfboard production techniques and marketing tasks.
The two field labs will cover CPR and water safety, surfing techniques and instruction on teaching beginners how to surf. Guest lecturers will include Ben Aipa, Hans Hedemann, surf forecaster Patrick Caldwell.
The main instructor is John Winieski. The course number is NC9 232. To register, call 235-7433.
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