CSUN Aquatic Programs

Students having a great time kayaking in groups at a large lake

The CSUN Aquatic Center mission is to provide valuable recreation and educational programs to the greater CSUN community. The following programs and services are available to CSUN students, faculty, and staff: 

CSUN Department of Recreation and Tourism Management (RTM) provides academic credit courses at the Aquatic Center. CSUN educators provide the highest caliber of instruction on Flatwater boating, Wakeboarding and water skiing, Sailing, and many other offerings. Courses are offered during the Spring and Fall Semesters.

You can learn more about taking classes, or about getting your undergraduate or graduate degree by visiting CSUN Course Catalog. 

RTM 151D: Flat Water Boating

Objectives: This semester-long course serves as an introduction to safe travel by kayak or canoe on lakes, rivers, and oceans.
Includes equipment, navigation, and techniques for flat-water boating and emergency self-rescue.
Emphasis will be on safety, environmental awareness and skill development. Arranged field trips are required.

Course Meetings: Saturdays, 9:00 to 12:00

Open to Currently enrolled CSUN students, or through the Tseng College at $370 per unit.
Units: 2 Unit course

RTM 265: Wake boarding and Water skiing

Objectives: This semester-long course serves as an introduction to water skiing and wake boarding. 

Course Meetings: Fridays, 9:00 to 12:00

Open to Currently enrolled CSUN students, or through the Tseng College at $370 per unit.
Units: 1 Unit course

Description: Meeting every Friday at the CSUN Aquatic Center, our Professors and boating instructors will set the foundations of tow sports and expand on critical skills. 
You will gain competence and confidence over three months of weekly meetings learning to knee board, water ski, wake board, and wake skate. 

RTM 267/L: Sailing

Objectives- This semester-long course serves as a broad introduction to sailing. 

Course Meets- Fridays, 1:00 to 3:45

Open to- Currently enrolled CSUN students, or through the Tseng College at $370 per unit.
Units- 2 Unit Lab course

Description- Meeting every Friday at the CSUN Aquatic Center, our Professors and boating instructors will set the foundations of sailing and expand on critical skills. 
With a one hour lecture and a two hour on-water lab, you will gain competence and confidence over three months of weekly meetings learning to rig, maneuver and rescue a variety of vessels. 
Space is limited for these courses.

Prerequisite- Elementary swimming skills. Corequisite: RTM 267L. 
Development of the skills and art of sailing, including the development of basic seamanship, small boat handling competency, safety procedures and regulations and introductions to competitive sailing and ocean cruising. 1-hour lecture, 2-hours lab per week

 

BOATING WORKSHOPS

The CSUN Aquatic Center Hosts a variety of Open Recreation workshops. These not-for-credit, private workshops are available to current CSUN students, Faculty and Staff per request only. Workshops are typically two hour-long sessions where you can learn a new skill or continue to develop your boating hobby. 

To request your private single or private group workshop, please fill out the reservation form found here:

The form is on our old website. Please open the link below in a new tab to complete the form. Once the form is completed, close the tab to return to the current site. 

Reserve For Boating Workshops

 

COMMUNITY COURSES THROUGH SANTA CLARITA VALLEY SEASONS CATALOGUE

https://www.seasons.santaclarita.gov/santaclarita

If you are not quite ready for a workshop but want to try things out in a more casual capacity, please join us for our courses provided through our partnership with Santa Clarita Valley, Seasons Catalogue. Whether you are looking for an exciting day of trying something new like kayaking or looking to be certified in First Aid/CPR/AED, the CSUN Aquatic Center is pairing with Santa Clarita to provide fun to the community!

  • Kayak
  • Canoes
  • Paddle Boards
  • Red Cross Certifications
  • Family paddling days
  • Sailing

CSUN will provide all the boats and equipment. 
*Food and Transportation are not provided*

Winter 2026 Courses:

First Aid, CPR and AED: March 14, 2026 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Learn to Paddle (ages 18+): March 7, 2026 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Family Paddling (ages 5+): March 14, 2026 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

https://www.seasons.santaclarita.gov/santaclarita

CSUN Associated Students Outdoor Adventures provides Outdoor Experiences for anyone and everyone. Outdoor Adventures runs trips from CSUN Campus to the Aquatic Center throughout the year. 

Check out CSUN Outdoor Adventures!

To schedule your Club, Organization, Student Group, Department, or other campus communities next event at the Aquatic Center,
Free programming is available for most CSUN Clubs, organizations and classes
Call us at (818) 677-4723
Email us at AquaticCenter@csun.edu
Or skip a step and fill out your reservation form by clicking here

Reserve Special Events 

Other CSUN Courses with field trip components include: 

  • Geography 370: Water Society and the Environment
  • Recreation Tourism, Hospitality Management 150-1: Outdoor Education
  • RTM 202/L: Event Planning
  • RTM 251: Recreation and the Natural Environment
  • RTM 302: Dynamics of Leadership in Recreation
  • CSUN Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP)

Please email for details on how to use these indoor and outdoor teaching spaces