UVic prof's 'Geographies of Surfing' course teaches students on the beach

Chris Darimont is the instructor for a course in UVic's geography field program called "Geographies of Surfing."

Vancouver Island is a surfer's paradise, but the University of Victoria campus? Not so much.

Less than a kilometre away lies Gyro Beach, which is lovely, but not exactly conducive to hanging 10.

The world-class surf is on the other side of the Island, in Tofino.

So what's a surf-loving geography professor to do?

If you're Chris Darimont, you create a course that marries your hobby and your academic specialty.

Darimont is the instructor for a course in UVic's geography field program called "Geographies of Surfing."

It's not a surf class, per se. Participants don't have to get on a board to complete their studies.