Explore new passions, make friends, and dive into UVic’s vibrant club scene
Photo courtesy of UVic Rocketry Club.
As the school year kicks off, students seek ways to meet new friends, get involved with campus life, and explore their passions outside the classroom. There’s no better way to start your school year than checking out some cool clubs and meeting new interesting people. With over 150 registered clubs, there’s something for everyone at UVic.
Here are five clubs worth checking out this year:
Rocketry Club
If you are a STEM student, or someone fascinated with rockets, this club is for you. Don’t worry about prior experience — UVic Rocketry welcomes new members through skill-building sessions to help you grow and learn alongside them. UVic Rocketry’s mission is to build rockets in Canada that can reach the Kármán line — the boundary between Earth’s atmosphere and outer space, and they hold weekly meetings to develop components for the rockets. Additionally, this club engages in public outreach by teaching STEM concepts to local students.
UVic Rocketry’s biggest achievement so far is launching the Anduril-1 sounding rocket to 24 000 feet, which is nearly 20 times higher than the Empire State Building, and reaching speeds of Mach 1.56 — about 1.5 times the speed of sound. This year, the club aims to take things even further by optimizing the Anduril-1 platform for a higher-altitude launch, and working alongside the UVic Satellite Design Club to carry a satellite and launch rockets into the skies.
Anime Club
Dive into the world of Japanese animation and manga with the Anime Club. This club meets weekly to watch anime, discuss the latest manga releases, and even host arts and crafts revolving around their shared love for anime. It’s a welcoming space for long-time fans and newcomers alike. Ana Constantinescu, current president of the Anime Club, says, “Anime is for everyone,” and encourages people from all backgrounds, ethnicities, and sexualities to come and enjoy this shared passion and make friends.
The Anime Club has been around for almost 20 years at UVic, but was unfortunately disbanded during the COVID pandemic. Last year was the club’s first time running again after multiple years’ break.
“While [the club] is really old,” said Constantinescu, “we just brought it back to life.”
Cuban Salsa Club
Wednesdays can feel overwhelming, with the weight of the rest of the week looming. Why not take a break and head to the Student Union Building (SUB) for a free, hour-long salsa dance lesson? This club teaches Rueda de Casino salsa, which originated in Cuba and is now danced worldwide. This dance is done in a circle and is fun, fast, and upbeat. Partners are exchanged throughout the whole dance, so there’s no pressure to partner up at the beginning.
The UVic Cuban Salsa Club meets almost every Wednesday in Vertigo, or just outside the SUB, from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Weekly updates on the exact location, as well as promotional events on further salsa events in the Victoria Community, are posted on their Facebook page — UVic Cuban Salsa Club. Lessons on all levels of expertise, from beginner to advanced, usually run from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m., and the remaining hour is for “social dance,” where people can make smaller ruedas or dance one-on-one. The Cuban Salsa Club is an old but golden club at UVic, with a strong community throughout Victoria.
“Nobody starts off knowing how to dance,” said Ryan, a volunteer instructor. “Everyone has had to take lessons, so don’t be afraid to come out and join!”
TTRPG Club
Have you ever wanted to play Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings? Or maybe you’ve wanted to dive into the Star Wars universe? If so, this club is for you. Tabletop Role Playing Games (TTRPGs) are games where players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting and collaboratively create stories. Unlike traditional board games, TTRPGs emphasize storytelling, character development, and improvisation. There are many different types of TTRPGs, but most are guided by a “Game Master” and facilitated by particular sets of rules. Some examples of popular TTRPGs include Dungeons and Dragons, Pathfinder, and Shadowrun.
“We are here as a connector,” said Jordan Petryshen, the TTRPG Club’s current president, “and we want to connect you … with a group that is playing the type of game that you want to play.”
In an open game world with endless possibilities, it’s crucial to find players who match your style — whether you prefer dramatic, roleplay-focused sessions, light-hearted and fun adventures, or highly tactical gameplay. The club hosts monthly “open houses” at UVic to allow players and Game Masters to find each other, and Petryshen hopes that this year, the club can host more informative sessions, such as a Game Master workshop or a worldbuilding workshop.
Women in Engineering and Computer Science Club
Historically, women and gender minorities have been marginalized in STEM fields. While progress has been made, it’s invaluable to have a club dedicated to fostering a sense of community and addressing the unique needs of these groups, which is exactly what the Women in Engineering and Computer Science (WECS) club aims to do.
WECS’s mission is to create a supportive and inclusive environment for gender minorities in engineering and computer science. From fun and small events like paint and slime nights to larger ones like hackathons and networking panels with industry professionals, WECS is the right place to be if you are seeking a growing gender-diverse community and a safe space within the UVic STEM wing.
The club was re-established in November 2023 by its current president, Emily Murray, and has since grown to a 20-member executive team. This year, WECS is focused on hosting over 10 successful events each semester and increasing engagement.
If any of these clubs piques your interest, you can find them on Instagram and Facebook. There’s never been a better time than now to try something new, and get involved.
