As part of UNCWelcome, the 2010 Beach Blast brought thousands of students to Wrightsville Beach on Tuesday, Aug. 17. Students enjoyed music and free food and drinks while participating in various beach activities including surfing and volleyball.

“Beach Blast is an annual event where students from UNCW go to the beach the day before the first day of classes,” said Jon Kapell, the Associate Director of Campus Activities & Involvement. “This is part of the official welcome to campus and a chance to interact with the Wrightsville Beach community.”

The event began at 11 a.m. at the Crystal Pier and concluded at 3 p.m. Continuous transportation to and from the beach was provided by Wave Transit shuttles. In accordance with Wrightsville Beach rules, alcohol was not permitted at the event.

“Beach Blast is a Seahawk Tradition that started not too long ago but has become one of the most memorable welcome events for all students,” said Student Body President Matt Victory. “Beach Blast is a time where old and new friends come together, and everyone is always looking forward to this kick off of the school year.”

According to an email from Victory to students, “Maintaining a healthy relationship with the surrounding communities is critical to UNCW. We must remember that Beach Blast is a time when UNCW and the town of Wrightsville Beach can come together and grow in our relationship and that this tradition is a privilege for UNCW.”

“I was more aware of how to do things this year,” said sophomore Kim Lorello. “I took the shuttle early, left earlier and sat where I wouldn’t get trampled on. Both years now I have had a really good time.”

“I always look forward to Beach Blast at the beginning of school, and it is definitely one of my most memorable traditions,” said Victory. “My favorite part of the event is seeing all my friends that I haven’t seen over the summer months.”

According to Kapell, Beach Blast has been a tradition for over 10 years with minimal changes since 2007.

“A major change was implemented and went in full effect in 2007 which included fencing at the event, checking student ID’s and an increase in the number of staff and security at the event,” said Kapell. “With these changes in place, the students have shared with us that they feel safer at the event and have more fun knowing that everyone is having a good time at the event.”

“The goal of Beach Blast is to bring the university community together and let the students meet and mingle with all their friends before school gets back into full swing. It also gives the freshmen a great opportunity to meet many upper classmen that could later become their mentors,” said Victory.

UNCW Surfrider and UNCW ECO hosted Beach Sweep following the event.

“Beach Sweep is a chance to clean up the beach not only after the event but to help with the cleaning in general of our coastal area,” said Kapell. “The beach community is a part of the UNCW community and we want to leave the beach better than when we found it.”

“Beach Sweep is an event students are encouraged to participate in to make sure that the beach is free from all litter that we or other people left,” said Victory. “Personally I believe that Beach Sweep is just as important if not more so than Beach Blast because this is a privilege that Wrightsville Beach allows UNCW to do, and it is great for Seahawks to show the citizens of Wrightsville Beach that we appreciate the privilege.”