Pacific Index

Outdoor pursuits host queer stand up paddle boarding event

Bright blue sky met dark blue water under a shining sun this past Sunday as paddle boarders suited up and headed out onto Hagg Lake. The group was mostly newcomers and first-time paddle boarders looking to try something new. Outdoor Pursuits staff development coordinator and senior Brooke Fitzler describes the annual event as a “community building” affair, adding, “the best word to describe it was just happy.”

Fitzler described the event as being “geared towards anyone who’s part of the LGBTQ+ community, or identifies beyond the realm of heteronormative labels,” but welcome to all. The goal of the event was to find double sanctuary; both the beautiful Oregonian nature around us, and in a safe welcoming queer community. 

“The outdoors is definitely a white, male dominated industry,” Fitzler elaborated. “It can be intimidating to try to start being more outdoors when you know these limitations, so I think it’s a good thing to be specifically welcoming to other groups than just those who might already be comfortable to come try outdoor pursuits.”

Fitzler recognizes the unique position queer students are put in when trying to learn a skill like paddleboarding. “It’s sort of a vulnerable state to be in, especially as queer people it can be hard to be in clothes you maybe feel uncomfortable in while also trying something new and out of your comfort zone. We wanted to have a place where people could feel comfortable in their own skin, around other people who may have been through a similar struggle.”

College can be a time when all students feel so much isolation, and events like these are created to help ease those struggles. These mental health struggles can be particularly keen with queer youth, as one in three LGBTQ+ young people report their mental health is often very poor. 

Fitzler recounted her own experiences with how nature helps her mental health: “Getting outdoors can be such an amazing thing for mental health. Just getting active and exploring the wilderness can really ground you, and it’s easier because we provide the transportation and gear.”

Fitzler emphasized these spaces and events are created to be open, but more importantly they’re created to be low pressure. “It doesn’t have to be such a label all the time. We are just paddle boarding with other queer students and having a nice day. It can be really easy to get stuck on the label of ‘queer,’ but you’re really just paddleboarding with people who have something in common with you. It can help break some barriers, and help you get to know more people you see around campus.” 

Overall, Fitzler chalked up the trip as a success. “There was a lot of really good connection on the trip,” Fitlzer explained. “Sometimes we have to help pull everyone out of their shell, but everyone was pretty quick to get comfortable and start bonding with each other.”