Next time you’re going out to hammock, take these suggestions from fellow students first

By JASMINE PINEDA

It’s that time of the year again when the weather is beautiful and students are more inclined to be outside. Between playing corn hole, tossing a Frisbee on Ball Circle and lounging in the grass, there is another popular activity on campus; hammocking. Here are a few hammock loving students’ favorites spot for hammocking, least favorite spots and general tips on the art of hammocking.

Freshman Sean Bermingham hammocks whenever the weather is nice enough. His favorite spot to hang his hammock is by Russell Hall and Brent House because his friends walk by and stop for a chat there. This spot earned a rating of 10/10 for Bermingham.

Bermingham would love to try the top of a tree or somewhere high off the ground because he feels like once he got over the fear of falling it would be like floating. On the other hand he wouldn’t ever want to try, any spots that weren’t supported by two trees. “Anything else never seems sturdy enough,” Bermingham said.

Bermingham avoids hammocking in the forest. This is because, in the woods, leaves are always falling on him and the only sunlight that got through was aimed right at his face. Any forest spot earns a rating of 4/10 in his book.

“Sitting in it for a second is nice but taking a nap and sitting in it for a few hours is how you really get the feel for whether or not hammocking is for you,” Bermingham recommends.

Freshman Kylie McLendon likes to hang her hammock around three to four times a week because she needs time to relax and relieve stress. Her favorite spot on campus is a popular hammocking area in the small trees in front of Randolph Hall and Mason Hall. This spot earns a 10/10 for McLendon.

Her least favorite spot is next to Russell behind Randolph because it’s a little bit too private. For McLendon, this spot got a rating of 4/10, but for those looking for a more secluded area away from Campus Walk traffic; this could be an ideal spot.

An area of interest for McLendon is the spot with trees across from Trinkle where people stack four or five hammocks on one another,

“Some spots are just better than others,” said McLendon. McLendon also recommends going over to Alum Spring Park or down by the Rappahannock River.

“Be aware of the spot you are trying to hammock. Even if it’s a cool spot, but it might seem a little sketch don’t do it,” McLendon warns.

Freshman Jose Araujo likes to hammock twice a week if the weather is nice and his schedule is clear. Jose also enjoys the area by Randolph and Mason and gave it a rating of 8/10.

“I like to hear what’s around me,” Araujo said. Because of this he avoids hammock spots anywhere near a busy road or construction site.

He recommends, for new hammockers to check how much weight your hammock can hold and stay under that weight limit. He also recommends making sure to tie your hammock up to something that is sturdy enough to hold your weight.

Every spot on campus has different things to offer, so make sure to try them all. Take safety precautions and make sure that any area you are trying is secure, and if you are not sure try asking a friend or just do not try risking it. For those who have never tried before, have fun, relax and make sure to enjoy the new experience.