Overseas Faculty Manual - Recreation and Sports

Basketball: US Embassy personnel and local expats play in the High School gym on Tuesday and Thursday nights for 2 hours. Games are informal and there are different skill levels. There is professional Basketball in Lima – every fall, teams gather for the Copa Sprite. Games are held at local arenas, and the entrance fee is minimal.

Softball: There are two fields on campus and a Saturday Men’s League with about 6 competitive teams.

Soccer: There is an informal soccer game on campus each Friday at 5:00 pm for any interested players. Usually we have enough for a match of 7 to 11 a side, with the “teachers team” against a team made up of the school’s bus drivers, janitors, etc. Lots of fun with plenty of good competitive soccer!

Tennis: There are four tennis courts on campus, and they are available mostly on weekends. There are many local tennis clubs, and there is no problem purchasing and repairing equipment at local shops.

Golf: There are four golf courses in Lima. All are private and charge a heavy monthly membership fee and an initiation fee. At present there are no “occasional” memberships. Your best bet is to get an invitation from a school-affiliated member or take part in one of the few American Society tournaments. One course has a yearly price tag of $2,400 and is associated with the American Embassy.

Swimming: There is a pleasant and clean facility within 5 minutes of the school. Some of the staff use it for lane swimming. There are user fees by the day and month, as well as an extensive set of public swimming hours. Aquafit / Jazz classes are run out of the same facility.

Jogging / Walking: The school has a 440 m. track suitable for walking / jogging. It has a clay surface so runners are recommended to bring extra shoes as they wear down quickly. There are a few places to jog on the streets of Lima. The trick is to find a nice quiet area (most teachers live in districts of the city with ample areas to jog). There is also a running group, Peru Runners, who train and compete in international marathons.

Fitness Training: The school has a small weight room and STEP Aerobic equipment. Tae Bo, aikido, Yoga and dance classes are run for staff members 2-3 times a week. There are plenty of gyms in the city and one can generally find a suitable facility in your neighborhood for around $50 - 80 / month.

Ultimate Frisbee: Teachers gather twice a week to play ultimate Frisbee.

Bicycling /Mountain Biking: Many people enjoy riding their bicycles through the neighborhoods of Lima and along the ridge above the coast line. There are a few Mountain Bike trails to find too. Enthusiasts are recommended to bring a helmet, pump, and a repair kit, but because of the tax and duty you might have to pay bringing in a bike with a work visa, you might be better off bringing your bike in June while on a tourist visa and leaving it until you return in July. You can also buy fairly good quality TREK mountain bikes and equipment in Lima.

Rollerblading: There are many places to go Rollerblading in Lima, including a local school that also houses a skate park. It is a wonderful way to explore the ridge above the coast line; however, one should remember, drivers in Peru are still getting used to sharing the road with rollerbladers. Be sure to ware protective gear.

Bird Watching Club: Yep, there is a faculty bird watching club. There are more species of birds in Peru than all of North America and Europe! Peru has 150 species of hummingbirds!

Surfing: This sport is very popular in Peru and there are plenty of opportunities to surf at the Lima beaches both for the beginner with a private instructor and for the advanced surfer.

Rafting/Kayaking There are good opportunities about two hours outside of Lima, especially between November and April.

Camping/Mountaineering/Hiking/Climbing: Peru is a good place for adventure enthusiasts. Bring your gear. Also, get ready for altitude. Within 2 hours by car, you can be at 5000 m. Many superb treks (Inca Trail, Santa Cruz, Cordillera, Huaywash and Blanca) take place in the rugged Andes.

Bring a warm sleeping bag (for children’s sleepovers too) and a strong mid-size pack to go on weekend getaways. Also, bring water bottles and a lightweight stove. Peru offers a variety of camping opportunities for the avid camper/explorer. We also have a climbing wall at school. Close by are some crags for the initiated. Bring shoes, harness and ropes, as there is very little here in the way of gear. Good books to check out include a set by Hilary Bradt, and an adventure story about the Andes called “Touching the Void” by Joe Smith.

SOUTH AMERICAN EXPLORER’S CLUB
This organization is a great resource of information and the $25 a year membership fee gives you their catalogue, four issues of their magazine, use of their extensive library of books and maps on Peru and South America, and help in planning trips. Each Wednesday night they have educational presentations which usual including slide shows. They also offer advice on volunteer opportunities. They have offices in Denver, Lima, and Quito. You can call or write for information at:

South American Explorers Club
Calle Piura 135
Miraflores, Lima
Peru

In USA:
P.O. Box 18327
Denver, CO 80218
(303) 320-0388

Back to Index - Click here