Recreation at Otago = Unipol.
If you’re new to the University of Otago you will hear people talking about Unipol. No, it’s not some undercover university police operation……Unipol is a very weird name…..it is an amalgamation of the university and the polytechnic and it doesn’t give you any idea of what it is all about….. but let’s not worry about the name, I don’t think it will be changing anytime soon, let’s focus on what Unipol is all about, because there is a LOT to talk about!
What is Unipol?
Unipol is the University of Otago’s recreation centre. And it is some centre. Unipol Recreation Services offers a huge choice of recreational activities, including cardio and weights, sports halls, group fitness, outdoor rental, social sport and outdoor adventures. Unipol is all about balancing your studies and keeping a smile on your face.
Prior to 2011, Unipol was housed in an awesome old art-deco building just a 5-minute walk from campus, but the demand for a bigger, and more up to date facility saw the creation of this amazing building, which is also home to the UOLCFY (University of Otago Language Centre and Foundation Year) and right next to New Zealand’s only covered stadium – Forsyth Barr Stadium. Our stadium raises the roof by hosting international sporting events, including our famous All Blacks, and a range of world class entertainment, including Pink, Kendrik Lamar, Elton John (who loved it so much here he’s coming back on his final tour) and Ed Sheeran.
Who can use Unipol?
Entry into the Unipol Recreation Services is free for University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic students with presentation of their ID card.
It is also available for use by University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic staff and their whānau and friends.
University approved recreation providers
Get in touch with your inner explorer, venture beyond campus and experience the natural beauty that Dunedin has to offer with a variety of outdoor adventures from local University approved recreation providers. Be sure to use your valid student ID card to get special student discounts!
Surfing
This mobile surf school based at The Esplanade, St Clair Beach, offer learn to surf sessions for beginners through to advanced lessons for those wanting to extend their local knowledge. Your wave is waiting!
Walks
A variety of walking excursions around Dunedin, the peninsula and surrounding coast lines. You will come across plenty of wildlife so bring your camera!
Mountain biking
Love mountain biking? From sandy beaches to native forests Dunedin, and it’s surrounding area, have some amazing tracks to be explored.
Windsurfing/SUP
Experience the exhilaration and fun of windsurfing and/or stand up paddle boarding (SUP) on the beautiful Otago Harbour. It’s sure to blow your hair back!
Ice hockey
Learn to play ice hockey, focusing on skating, puck handling, passing and shooting while having loads of fun.
Sea kayaking
Picture yourself in a sea kayak cruising amongst Otago’s coastal wildlife while paddling around the beautiful Otago Peninsula. Get ready to see the unexpected.
Rock climbing
Take a break from your study with a rock climbing adventure. Choose between an introduction course or advance your skills with some lead climbing!
Unipol staff – they’re a good bunch
This is Dan and Liz, two of the team that take care of all things Unipol and they are good sorts – they are pretty funny, smile a lot and enjoy life. It’s probably because they follow their own advice and know how good exercise makes you feel, and I’m guessing they do a fair bit of it. So take their advice, go into Unipol and see what you can find to put a smile on your dial.
Thanks to the Unipol website for providing a lot of the information contained in this blog.
Nicky Richardson is an International Marketing Coordinator at the University of Otago. With degrees in music and marketing, she is a recent graduate of Otago herself – she loves Otago so much she ended up getting a job here!
Dunedin Beaches – we don’t want to boast but…….
It’s funny that Dunedin, New Zealand shares it’s namesake with another city on the other side of the world, Dunedin, Florida. Dunedin Florida has quite a few similarities with ‘our’ Dunedin, including the name itself derived from the Scottish Gaelic name for Edinburgh. Both cities enjoy a rich Scottish heritage, beautiful parks, a vibrant city and educational opportunities, but I bet you didn’t think that beaches would be one of them? That’s right, today’s blog is all about Dunedin NZ’s beaches, what they’re like, where they are and we don’t mean to boast, but………they are many and varied and just down right awesome.
The big picture
We’ve used this aerial shot of Dunedin before, but let’s face it, it is absolutely amazing, so why not use it again? Also, it shows you just how close Dunedin is to the coastline and an array of beaches. You can’t see all of the coast line in this shot, but it gives you a pretty good indication. In Dunedin, all of our beaches are within approximately a 30 minute drive of the Central City, some as close as 10 minutes away, and that’s where we’ll start with the closest and possibly most popular local beach.
St Clair Beach
St Clair Beach and Hot Salt Water Pool is literally on the doorstep for many Dunedin residents, and only a 10 minute bus or car ride from the Otago University campus. Not only is this beach blessed with beautiful soft, white sand, the mighty Pacific Ocean that stretches its long legs out from the beach offers surfing opportunities for both beginners and those that love to wet their feet on a regular basis. If you’re coming to Dunedin and you’ve never surfed before, get some surfing lessons from the locals and see what all the fuss is about. Or if you prefer a slower pace, take a stroll along the beach and end your walk at one of the many cafes, restaurants and bars that line our most popular of beaches.
Aramoana Beach
Aramoana translates from Maori to English as ‘sea pathway’ and this beach at the mouth of the Otago harbour was probably one of the very first beaches that the European settlers to Otago would have viewed. Aramoana beach is situated next to a quiet little township that has an array of permanent homes and kiwi baches. It, like St Clair is a surfing destination, but it also attracts (as most of Dunedin’s beaches do) a range of wildlife that comes ashore and on that note it’s really important that you don’t go near any wildlife you see. Follow these guidelines on how to behave around our precious and often rare and endangered wildlife taonga – keep your distance, don’t engage, keep your dog (and children) under control and keep noise to a minimum.
Brighton Beach
20km’s South West of Dunedin you’ll find a delightful little seaside town called Brighton. Again, this beach is popular for surfers and the community around the beach very much embrace a relaxed and easy going lifestyle.
You can hire a boat from the Brighton motorcamp to paddle up and down the stream, at low tide Barney’s Island (at the South end of the beach) is a wonderful place to explore, and you’ll often find families with small children making the most of these peaceful waters.
Surf lifesaving patrols are on duty during the busy summer months and rumour has it that there is a fairly impressive little cafe out there to add to your enjoyment.
Tunnel Beach
Tunnel Beach is named because of the fact that a man-made tunnel has been carved through the rock in the 1870’s which leads to a sheltered and private beach. There are many rumours and local legends as to why John Cargill carved this remarkable walkway, including the drowning of one or more of his daughters, or the fact that he wanted to provide his daughters’ with a secluded place in order to be far from the prying eyes that Victorian settlers so avoided. Either way, it is spectacular.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=079qcLQkq1M
Tomahawk Beach
So this is just a taste, a mere sampling of the many and varied beaches that Dunedin has to offer, and whilst we aren’t inclined to boast we thought we would share this little clip filmed by Lloyds Bank as a finale! Tomahawk Beach, and all our Dunedin beaches, look how beautiful you are!
NB: We would like to make special mention to DunedinNZ.com for their imagery and comprehensive list and information on Dunedin beaches!
Nicky Richardson is an International Marketing Coordinator at the University of Otago. With degrees in music and marketing, she is a recent graduate of Otago herself – she loves Otago so much she ended up getting a job here!
Surfing…….just another reason to come to Otago.
We hear lots of reasons why students choose to come to study and live in our little city at the bottom of the world; our world class rankings and reputation, our friendly and welcoming atmosphere and our drop dead gorgeous environment. Choosing to come to study at the University of Otago for the surf is not a reason we’ve come across before, but it is exactly what led Celine Clausen from Norway to our doorstep.
Celine Clausen doing what she loves to do the most – surf.
Surfing
Celine is a passionate surfer, so her criteria when looking to study abroad was to find a world class university in a city that also provided her with incredible surfing opportunities. She found two options; Sydney or Dunedin, and she chose us, but she was completely unprepared for the reality of what she found when she arrived here.
St Clair Beach, Dunedin, courtesy of Kieran Scott Photography.
Incredible environment
“I have been completely overwhelmed by the incredible lifestyle offered here and the natural beauty of the surrounding environment. I knew there would be good waves but I had no idea that I would be paddling in the ocean alongside seals, sea-lions and penguins!”
The University of Otago campus with accomodation and amenities all within walking distance.
Proximity
The close proximity of the university and Dunedin as a whole was also something she was unaware of.
“I live super close to campus and the city centre, and I’m surrounded by students and good times. Only 15 minutes away there are beautiful beaches, nature and wildlife. Everything is so close. It’s also easy to travel around the South Island from Dunedin and explore more of what New Zealand has to offer.
Kiwis are so friendly
The friendly student culture at Otago is another factor that has made Celine’s time here an enjoyable one and she has found it easy to transition as an international student.
“Kiwis are the friendliest and most helpful people I’ve ever met and the University of Otago is no exception – I feel so welcome here. Campus is beautiful and lots of fun – all the students live super close and students account for a large part of the population of Dunedin – internationals live beside locals – I can guarantee you’ll have a blast!”
Class size
And it’s not only the natural environment that has made an impact on her, the learning environment has encouraged Celine to delve further into her learning experience.
“Having smaller classes here at Otago makes me really feel like I belong and am a part of the class – it also makes it easier and less intimidating to ask questions and really get to know the lecturers.”
And this relationship with students and lecturers alike has made Celine feel she is not just a number lost in the crowd.
“I have a really good relationship with my lecturers and I appreciate that they know my name and who I am. I feel they all want me to perform to the very best of my abilities and that they are happy to teach me and share their knowledge.”
We loved having you here Celine, and we hope that the memories and the friendships you made here will stay with you for a lifetime. Thanks for the photos, your thoughts and keep living the dream of surfing your way around the world!
If you are an international student and you would like to know more about studying at Otago, following the enquiry link below.
Nicky Richardson is an International Marketing Coordinator at the University of Otago. With degrees in music and marketing, she is a recent graduate of Otago herself – she loves Otago so much she ended up getting a job here!
