Horseback Riding in Chino

...meanwhile, Mrs. Walker took a group of students horseback riding in the nearby hills, taking advantage of Webb's location at the foothills of the mountains.  Not many schools offer such  proximity to both locations. On this trip: Kate, Emma, Sandie, and Amara.

Mountain Biking in Big Bear

The annual mountain biking trip to Big Bear is always popular -- so popular that this year we moved it earlier in the season in the hopes of getting two trips in before the snow falls.  The trip attracts a wide range of skill levels, from beginning bikers to more experienced cyclists capable of tricks.  We split up into two groups when we arrived, and spent the day hurtling down the mountain only to ride the ski lift back up for another run.  Though pretty much everyone wiped out at some point (Vicente looked like a coal miner covered in soot after crashing into a patch of dark sand), we kept getting back up for more.  A true testament to the grit (and grime) of Webb students.  

 Vicente shows off.

 Claire on what would become a particularly steep course that had me walking my bike.  She stayed on.

 James on one of the well-groomed trails

 Terence -- what goes up...

Devin on the ridge

 Stir catches a lift

Joe

 Vicente

Rachel and Christie at the school van.  This particular location is nice because you can stop at the van between runs and get some lunch. 

 Kevin

One many of the trails, there are options to the side that make life a little more interesting.  Stir almost always took them.

Vicente

Big Bear Lake on Dwellable

Snorkeling at Laguna Beach

If you could go snorkeling with anyone in the world, you should go snorkeling with Mr. Lawrence.  There aren't many people out there with a combined knowledge of undersea life, courage to dive down and find it, and ability to actually catch it.  On a one-hour snorkeling trip this past weekend, Mr. Lawrence found a sea urchin, several endangered abilones, and caught a lobster and a shark (again!).  We also saw wrasses, leopard sharks, and garibaldis, the state fish of California.  Quite an adventure!

 Danny with a sea urchin

 Anni with an abilone

 Mr. Lawrence shows off the lobster he caught (click to enlarge).

 Justin

 A garibaldi

 Ian uses a strand of kelp to dive down and find an abilone.

 Anni with the horned shark -- it has a sharp "horn" sticking out of its dorsal fin.

Ian

Rock Climbing at Big Bear

The rock-climbing after-school activity has spawned serious interest in outdoor climbing, with several budding enthusiasts emerging from the student body. Under the expert guidance of Mr. Harris, the group traveled to Big Bear on Sunday for a full day of climbing.  Abby even did some lead climbing for the first time, setting rope for the rest of the group. Below you'll see pictures of students developing some serious skills, learning to trust each other, and building their own confidence as they do it.

 Jack

 Abby navigating a technical climb up the crevice

 Anthony nears the top

 Christie in perfect form -- leg pointed left, reaching right

 Almost there Dolly

 Joe

 Mr. Harris sets the climb.

 Ms. Blomberg

Paddle Boarding and Sea Kayaking at Laguna Beach

The first outdoor trip of the year met with warm, calm, clear waters at Laguna Beach on Sunday.  Water temps were 72 when we set out, encountering little resistance from wind or waves.  Though both picked up over the course of the two-hour outing, they didn't hamper the superb visibility, which allowed us to see garibaldi floating by eight or nine feet under water.  We passed by seal rock, explored a kelp field, and then headed into town for some grub at BJs. 

 Mairin, the only experienced paddle-boarder among us, easily navigated the calm waters.

 Juliana quickly found her sea legs.

 Julia and Justin led us in their sea kayak.

 Dolly in front of some of the multi-million dollar homes of Laguna Beach

 Seal Rock, which we heard and smelled long before seeing the seals, cormorants, and pelicans on it

 Mairin's first attempt to do a head stand.

 If at first...

Webb's inaugural paddle boarding trip was a resounding success.

Canyoneering at Ontario Falls

This year's freshmen retreat challenged the boys to overcome their fears and trust other students as they rappelled down a series of waterfalls at Mt. Baldy.  Most students agreed that it was simultaneously one of the scariest and most thrilling things they'd ever done.  The first rappel was dry, and led to the head of a 90-foot drop.  Thirty feet into the second rappel, the boys met the water and were pummeled under the cold falls as they dropped breathlessly underneath it.  The third rappel was short but more technical in nature and required sure footing.  The final rappel was eighty feet and involved navigating the confluence of two divergent falls.  Almost every boy on the retreat completed the rappel, a sure sign that this class is destined for success.

Bobby belays Dylan

Johnny

Cameron entering the waterfall and then coming out the other side.

Dylan was the first freshman down -- a gift his classmates gave him for his birthday.  Here he descends the second 90-foot rappel through the waterfall.

Daniel on belay.

Paul

Nik on the final rappel, between two waterfalls.

This is a shot of all three waterfalls that the freshmen rappelled.  The people at the bottom give you a sense of scale.