Subscribe
MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII — On the mainland, temperatures will begin to fall as the summer months draw to an end. Fall will pass and winter will bring snow and rainfall; short, cold days and long, even cooler nights. Men and women everywhere will dream of their vacation, saving each paycheck in hopes of escaping to paradise. Somewhere warm. Someplace with beautiful mountains, surrounded by equally beautiful water.
For members of the community around and aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii, they have just that. Throughout the year, people are able to enjoy all that Hawaii has to offer. From the base pool to the beaches of Turtle Bay, there is no shortage of scenic spots for people to visit.
Christopher Sereno, the general manager of the Outdoor Recreation & Marina and Auto Skills Center, said members of the MCB Hawaii community are blessed to be stationed in such a beautiful place with the number of activities available to them.
“For a lot of our service members, it’s a great experience for them to be out in Hawaii, but it’s made even better by their ability to enjoy the bay,” said the Kailua, Hawaii, native.
Available to all active duty service members and their families, retirees and Department of Defense civilians, the Marina offers boat, jet ski, surfboard, stand-up paddle board, boogey board and kayak rentals. They also rent out camping and fishing equipment.
“Most of my patrons are from the base,” Sereno said. “These activities are great for everyone, not just the young, single Marines and Sailors. These are also great for families, helping to bring them together through fun outdoor activities. For example, a majority of our pontoon rentals are taken out for family get-togethers, celebrating birthdays or holidays, or just going out and enjoying the day with each other.”
Samuel Mench, the head beach lifeguard trainer aboard MCB Hawaii, said all outdoor activities, whether on or off base, are beneficial by providing peace of mind, ways to stay physically fit and life skills, such as the ability to swim or mitigate risks.
“The waters around Oahu are great for surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, kite-boarding, stand-up paddle boarding, skiing, boating and kayaking,” said the Kahaluu, Hawaii, native. “However, most of these require a lot of practice and a trained, quality partner, as there are always hazards when dealing with the ocean.”
Mench said with these hazards, and without awareness, it could become a problem. He said it’s important that people are educated, whether it’s through research or by talking to others who have been around the water a long time and have experienced those hazards, so they are able to gain the proper awareness and prepare themselves.
“People need to know what they are getting themselves into, especially when dealing with the ocean,” Mench said. “The beaches are beautiful and the waves, especially around Hawaii, are great for water sports and activities. The reefs are beautiful and good for snorkeling, but you have to remember that these things can also take your life or hurt you if you are inexperienced or don’t know what you’re dealing with.”
Mench said people can never assume every place is good for surfing or snorkeling, and just because it might have been safe one time, it doesn’t mean it will be the next time. He said every beach is different, with its own form, waves and hazards. Some may have a lot of sand, whereas other areas might have coral or rock, and he said those are things the people should definitely know before heading out into the water.
“I want people to learn how to S.O.A.K. — study, observe, ask a lifeguard or local, and know your limits,” Mench said. “You can’t just assume all beaches are the same. Do your research, slowly expose yourself to the various risks and work your way up instead of diving into something headfirst.”
Sereno said it’s crucial for members of the MCB Hawaii community to take advantage of the island, enjoying its scenery and water. He said it would be a shame if service members left the island without experiencing everything the island had to offer.
“Typically, folks save almost their entire life just to come on vacation here,” Sereno said. “People may like to get pizza, drink beer and game online with their friends, but it’s an incredible experience to go out and do something you’ve never done before. Will you be good at the first thing you try? Absolutely not. But will you have fun? I can guarantee, if you go out with an open mind, you will. You’ve got to go out there and explore, and, once you try something new, I think you’ll be hooked.”
| Date Taken: | 07.02.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 07.03.2015 16:42 |
| Story ID: | 169051 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, HI, US |
| Hometown: | KAILUA, HI, US |
| Web Views: | 31 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Seek ocean thrills with safety in mind, by Cpl Harley Thomas, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
LEAVE A COMMENT