For new students, finding fun recreational activities and ways to stay in shape can be a bit daunting, so the Sheaf has compiled a short guide to assist you on your way.

When signing up for intramural sports, students can either register as a whole team or as an individual. This allows anybody to participate regardless of whether or not they can get an entire team together. Leagues are also split into competitive and recreational pools, allowing each student to choose the experience they prefer.

Both forms of registration can be done either at the Physical Activity Center Office in room 222 or — new this year —  can be done online at beactive.usask.ca. From here, individuals will be placed onto teams. Full teams will have to fill out a roster form, and both individuals and the captains of teams will have to attend an information meeting. Total team fees for all sports are $50, with the exception of ice hockey which costs $500.

Registration deadlines vary from sport to sport and are as follows: basketball’s deadline is Sept. 21, curling is Oct. 5 and dodgeball is Sept. 22. The football deadline is Sept. 15. Ice hockey is Sept. 28. The inner tube water polo deadline is Sept. 22. All deadlines are at 4:30 p.m.

For the soccer deadline, register by Sept. 15. Ultimate frisbee’s deadline is Sept. 15 and the volleyball deadline is Sept. 20.

Registration opens up Sept. 1 and many of these sports fill up fast, so it’s advised to register early. Badminton this year will take a different format as no sign-up is required. For students, you must have your student card and can drop in at the Education Gym for various playing times. For a complete schedule and the drop-in dates, visit recservices.usask.ca.

Not all intramural sports require you to enter into a league. In term one, there will be tournaments in slo-pitch, battleship, tchoukball and squash. The slo-pitch tournament will be held on Sept. 24, battleship on Sept. 25, tchoukball on Oct. 2 and squash on Oct. 28 and 29. Students can register for these tournaments the same way they would for a league.

Also worth noting is that floor hockey, futsal and innertube basketball leagues are also happening, but not until second term.

Intramural sports aren’t the only way to get active, however. There are also “Learn-to” classes offered through the U of S. These classes focus on teaching the basic skills of an activity and are welcoming to beginners.

Learn-to belly dance is a two part course held on Oct. 23 and 30 which costs $10. Social dancing is also offered, but you must register in pairs. Classes are held from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. on Nov. 20 and 27, with the final class occurring on Dec. 4. This course costs $20 a pair.

There are also three aquatic Learn-to’s offered, including kayaking, scuba diving and a class on how to play canoe polo. The kayaking course is held in the PAC pool, costs $30 and will be held on Oct. 16, 23 and 30, with the fourth session on Nov. 6. All of the kayaking sessions will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The scuba diving course is held on Oct 2 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and costs $25. This single session program is held in the PAC pool, as well as room 161 in the PAC. The canoe polo session will be in the PAC pool on Nov. 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and costs $25 per person.

Additionally, there are a variety of sessions offered in squash and fitness, based on skill level. Through this program, there is also a Rape Aggression Defense Course offered. This four-part course is held on Oct. 11, 18 and 25 with the final session on Nov. 1. This $20 course is offered solely to women and teaches awareness, prevention, risk reduction and risk avoidance, as well as the basics of hands-on defense training.

For more information on campus rec, visit recservices.usask.ca/campus-rec/index.php.

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Jack Thompson / Staff Writer

Graphic: Lesia Karalash / Graphics Editor