PE Classes

PE 174: Backpacking

Backpacking

PE 176: Mountain Biking

Mountain Biking.

PE 180: Wilderness Leadership

Wilderness Leadership

PE 181: Outdoor Activity: Paddling Fundamentals

Students gain knowledge combined with hard and soft skill practice necessary for safely participating in water environments from calm water up to Class III rapids. Technical skill topics include: overview of safety equipment (helmets, PFDs, paddles, throw bags, floatation and whistle), reading moving water, hazard identification, wet/dry exit and recovery techniques, whitewater self-defense skills and basic haul systems. Group leadership topics include basics of group dynamics, communication styles, loading/unloading and transportation of equipment, required components of a pre-trip safety speech (paddle talk) and basic environmental hazards (lightning, entrapment, flora/fauna).

PE 183: Fly Fishing

This course is intended to introduce students to the recreation, sport, and art of fly fishing. Students develop knowledge and skills of fly fishing from a variety of approaches. As recreation, students learn to cast a fly-rod into cold-water streams of the Appalachian Mountains. As sport, students gain skills to catch cold-water fish species (rainbow, brown, and brook trout) and warm-water species (smallmouth bass, rock bass, sunfish). Students are introduced to the ancient art of tying dry flies, nymphs, and streamers of natural and artificial materials. This course also introduces students to stream conservation and restoration and current threats to native fish populations. Guest lecturers may provide advanced fly-tying and casting technique instructions throughout the term.

PE 184: Rock Climbing

Students gain knowledge and skills necessary for creating multi-directional anchors, intermediate belaying techniques at various points in a multi-pitch climb, lead climbing techniques and self-rescue techniques including a belay escape with patient raise or lower. All techniques are instructed with scenarios allowing students to demonstrate appropriate lessons taught. This class is focused more on anchor placement/evaluation and belay safety than actual climbing technique and practice.

PE 185: Scuba

An introduction to the underwater world of SCUBA Diving, including classroom, pool-session, and open-water components. Students learn about dive equipment, the science of diving, responsible diving practices, and the environment. Practice time enhances students’ safety and comfort and training is completed with a minimum of five open-water dives. Successful completion results in lifetime open-water diver certification from NAUI, www.naui.com. Diving instruction is provided by Nags Head Diving of Manteo, North Carolina.

PE 195: Outdoor Activity

Activities may include caving, climbing, orienteering, and ropes course facilitation.