Two CCU clubs relaunch after COVID-19 pandemic

Two clubs were reintroduced this semester and they both involve the ocean.

CCU Love Blue Inc.

The COVID-19 pandemic did not stop Love Blue Inc. from its commitment to keeping the beaches along Myrtle Beach clean.

The CCU chapter of Love Blue was started in 2019 by the class of 2021's business management major, AJ Caruso who has since continued his mission along the Jersey Shore. The non-profit organization currently holds a total of 10,869 pounds of waste and plastic collected from both the Myrtle Beach and Jersey Shore areas.

According to junior business marketing major and Vice President Bree Puterio, everything collected during the weekly beach clean-ups in Myrtle Beach is being repurposed, and the club has been meeting weekly since it began. During a clean-up, volunteers sort through buckets of the collected waste which are predominately cigarettes and straws.

“My experience with Love Blue has been nothing but amazing!” freshman Tegan Swope said. “The environment at the beach cleanups is always fun and inclusive. My friends and I started going to get involved on campus and have loved the excuse to go to the beach! It’s a great way to meet new people and give back to the community!”

Puterio said the club’s current mission is to create a cleaner and healthier beach and ocean for local tourists of Myrtle Beach.

For more information on how to join check out @cculoveblue on Instagram.

CCU Surf Club

The CCU Surf Club has since been revived after COVID-19 halted any travel plans for the club’s surfing activities.

According to Vice President Hadley Leishman, the club was founded in 2015 to bring like-minded people together who are interested in surfing, whether that be at a beginner or advanced level.

“Everyone is always so happy to be getting out in the ocean and surfing together, no matter how good you are,” President Maya Meehan said.

Meehan says she has no regrets since joining the surf club and that she has become a much better surfer.

“Since I joined surf club, I’ve been in love with it. It’s such a fun and laid-back environment to learn how to surf,” Meehan said.

Before COVID-19 Leishman said members went on yearly trips to beaches of either North Carolina or Florida filled with surfing, camping, and bonfires, which they are excited to plan for next semester.

This year more than 200 members have taken part in the club since it was brought back to campus after

the club lost a year last year due to COVID-19.

Weekly surfing lessons take place on Sundays at the Springmaid Pier in Myrtle Beach taught by group members who encourage all levels of experience to come out. Dues of $100 cover weekly surfing fees as well as the annual surfing trip.

For more information on how to join check out @ccusurfclub on Instagram.