With all Big Green sports in offseason, several Dartmouth varsity athletes are remaining active by directing physical education classes during the Summer term. When not on the tennis courts, tennis player Carissa King '12 can be found in a dance studio on Tuesday and Thursday nights, leading Dartmouth students in Zumba a high-paced, Latin-inspired dance workout.
Despite the large time commitment of varsity tennis, King has still found time to bring Zumba to Dartmouth. Last summer, King took classes in her hometown of Charlotte, Va. When she returned to Hanover in the fall, she realized she greatly missed the workout.
King's plan to lead a class herself beginning this past winter was met with instant enthusiasm by the P.E. department, she said. After completing some certification classes in Massachusetts, she was ready to begin.
"I absolutely love teaching Zumba," she said. "It combines all my favorite things to do in the world dance, exercise, Latin culture."
King's dedication evidenced by her bright Zumba-brand cargo pants and tops has helped convert her students into devotees as well.
Janie Abernethy '12 is one such regular.
"Zumba class is the best part of my week," Abernethy said. "Regardless of the fact that the only person who actually looks good doing the dancing is [King.]"
Although King has been teaching the class for three terms, this is the first time a significant number of male students has enrolled, she said.
King's Zumba classes have served as an invaluable cross-training tool, helping her build stamina and therefore last longer on tough points, she said.
Michael Laser '12 a member of the men's varsity tennis team leads a section of P.E. tennis alongside head instructor Terry Cooper twice a week.
Although Laser said that he has extensive experience teaching in the past, such as assisting with clinics held by the Dartmouth team, this is the first time he has worked with students his own age.
While teaching an introductory P.E. class has not improved Laser's fitness, the experience has been valuable nonetheless, he said.
"It's a great experience and not a huge time commitment," he said. "I feel like I'm a relatively patient person. I enjoy helping people find their stroke, find their game." For members of the Dartmouth sailing team, teaching their sport over the summer is a family affair.
Rachel Moncton '12 said that coaching the P.E. class has become a summer tradition for members of the varsity squad.
"It's bonding, kind of," she said. "We're not forced to do it in any way I think it's something everyone on the team looks forward to doing."
There is a significant two-fold gain in teaching the class, according to Moncton.
While the sophomore class is able to take advantage of Lake Mascoma's beauty, the sailors also gain exposure for their quietly successful team.
Personally, Moncton added, she enjoys introducing her friends to her favorite sport.
"I made a lot of my friends sign up so I know most of the people in my class," she said. "It's fun to show them what I do every day, since sailing has become such a big part of my life at Dartmouth."
Ken McClintock, who manages the Arthur E. Allen Boathouse and coordinates the sailing physical education programs during the summer, explained that most of the sophomore instructors have previous teaching experience at their home clubs.
Prior to 1996, when the P.E. sailing program was started, students did not have access to sailing over the Summer term, McClintock said. Currently, the program employs eight members of the varsity sailing team, according to McClintock,
"I thought, if you're going to be here and you have a beautiful lake and a great facility you might as well take advantage," he said.
