- Twin brothers, Rick and Rob Saffeels, try to out do eachother in the limbo competition. Photo by Kate Schell.
What entices hundreds of students to rush into the ocean on a foggy Oregon day? Is it the allure of the crashing waves? How about the pull of the salty seawater? Is it the sand shifting beneath their feet? What is it that possesses a person to submerge their body into the icy waters?
A free t-shirt.
Corban College’s Beach Party, thrown by the student government, was a success. Students, faculty, and employees were all invited to participate in the many events held at Bob Straub State Park on Sept. 13. Volleyball games ensued, buried treasure was found, and limbo sticks were lowered.
Jessie Jones, a junior, said she appreciated the variety in activities, but especially enjoyed “skin boarding and playing in the water.”
Jones and many other students spent the Sunday afternoon gliding upon the surface of the Pacific Ocean. Students not only played along the edge of the waters, but they also ran straight into them. The annual ocean rush involves all willing participants lining up along the shore and charging into the icy waters before scrambling back to the beach for a free shirt.
Among the sandcastle competitions, Frisbee games, and raffles, students and Corban employees were able to mingle and fellowship with one another. Freshman, sophomores, juniors, and seniors were all given a chance to get to know each other. Eli Conlee, a senior, said, “I love it when Corban students have such a cool opportunity to just spend time together.”
The evening concluded with worship around a bonfire. The setting sun over the ocean served as the breath-taking backdrop. ASB Treasurer Katie Hunsucker, a senior, said her favorite part of the beach party was, “seeing the smiles on the faces of the students as they left with new friendships and encouraged hearts.”