The Seahawk

Issue date: 6/26/08 Section: Lifestyles

Students that attend UNCW because of its prime location will start the year off right. UNCW will hold Beach Blast 2008 on August 19 from 11am to 3pm. The event is scheduled to be at the Oceanic Pier on Wrightsville Beach the day before classes begin.

Beach Blast, part of UNCWelcome, is headed up by Jon Kapell and Annahita Smedal, co-chairs of UNCWelcome.

According to Smedal, who is also a Residence Coordinator, Beach Blast has been around for at least 6 or 7 years, but the current model of the event only began last year.

Kapell, also the Associate Director of CAIC, said, "The current model which we started last year was a big success."

Last year about 2,000 students attended, ranging from freshmen to seniors.

"A lot of first year students attend because it's their first event as a UNCW student. Seniors want to go because it's their last Beach Blast," said Kapell about the widespread range of students that attend.

Beach Blast has become an important tradition for UNCW. According to Smedal and Kapell, it sets the tone for the year.

Smedal said, "The beach is such a big part of UNCW. Beach Blast allows us to teach the students how to go to Wrightsville Beach and obey all of its rules."

Kapell said that he's had students tell him that if the Beach Blast goes well, then the rest of the year will go well.

This year's Beach Blast will have vendors and DJs, as it has had in past years. Right now Kapell and Smedal are working with Nex Media, who will pick the vendors. With a maximum of 10 vendors, Kapell and Smedal will have the final approval.

Food and drinks will be provided again this year. Last year Papa John's donated pizza for the students, while Le Bleu provided them with water.

Beach Blast costs about $5,000.

Kapell and Smedal encourage students to take the shuttles which will depart from the Graham-Hewlett connector and the Campus Rec parking lot. The last shuttle will leave the beach at 3:30pm sharp.

"Parking will be limited at Wrightsville, so definitely take the shuttle," Smedal said.

Items that Kapell and Smedal suggest that students put into their beach bags are beach towels, sunscreen, their own water and snacks, games and their student id.

"The most important thing for the student to bring is their student id because that will get them the wristband, which will allow them to get free food and participate in the events," Kapell said.

The only item that Kapell and Smedal said to definitely not bring is alcohol.

After Beach Blast will be the Beach Sweep from 4pm to 6pm. There will be a shuttle to take the students back to campus at 6pm. T-shirts will be given out, but there is a limited supply. Kapell suggests arriving early to get one.

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