Starting today, UF students can rent hammocks across campus.
Student Government purchased 30 hammocks to rent through RecSports, said Jason Richards, the SG external affairs director. Students can show their Gator 1 Cards to rent one for free at the Student Recreation & Fitness Center, Southwest Recreation Center, Broward Outdoor Recreation Complex or Lake Wauburg’s North and South shores.
With five hammocks at each location, five extra ones will be used as needed across campus, he said. Hammock rentals will follow the same procedure as other outdoor equipment, which can be kept for up to 48 hours, according to the RecSports website.
The rental program cost more than $1,650 for hammocks from Eagles Nest Outfitters, Inc., Richards said. SG worked with the company for discounted two-person doublenest hammocks and straps, which usually cost about $90, he said.
“It’s been something that’s been talked about by students for a very long time,” he said.
Douglas Tam, UF Hammock Club’s president and a 22-year-old pharmacy graduate student, worked with Richards to create the program.
“More and more people want to get outside and enjoy the outdoors,” Tam said.
Hunter Wolff, an 18-year-old UF political science freshman, said she might rent a hammock once the weather cools down.
“I don’t see myself using one regularly,” she said. “It would be nice to have that option.”
SG also plans to introduce Gatorade stations around campus, but details as to when and where they will be available are still being finalized, Richards said.
