Couch surfing is not a sport. It doesn’t require a board. It doesn’t require a cash deposit, but it can come in handy when traveling.

The creators of couchsurfing.org took the simple idea of sleeping on couches to a global level to create a safe public travel network. Within this network, people are able to search for open couches wherever they are planning to travel.

“It’s amazing how small the world gets,” said Eric Thorsell, 23, a recent Cal Poly graduate and couch surfing member.

Thorsell learned about couch surfing while studying abroad in Munich, Germany. He said that he was always looking to travel around Europe but cost was a large factor. A friend introduced him to the network; Thorsell signed up, created a profile and started traveling.

In order to become a part of this online network you must be "verified" by the creators of the Web site. The process of becoming verified includes checking your identity, street address and that the contact information provided is reliable.

“I’ve done it,” said Andrew Howard-Green, a senior fine arts major. “I wouldn’t have been able to find a house without it.”

Howard-Green moved up to San Francisco from San Luis Obispo last January and surfed around the city for a month, without the aid of couchsurfing.org, before finding his current roommate.

“I’m pretty sure my roommate takes part in (the online forum),” Howard-Green said, referring to the "random" people that stay on their couch from time to time.

When contacting people in the network, you can begin a dialog before even staying at their house — sending e-mails and reading other people’s review on their experiences with a particular couch surfing member.

David Canio, freshman biochemistry major, said that he would be cautious at first when it came to staying with complete strangers.

“If I was traveling I would take part in [couch surfing], but I’m not really into traveling that much,” Canio said.

Thorsell said his very first couch surfing experience was when he traveled to Valencia, Spain for Las Falles, a two-week celebration of St. Joseph's Day, and all the hotels and hostels were booked. So, he logged on the couch surfing network and found a place to stay.

“I arrived at the bus station with a friend from Munich and was interjected into the host’s group of friends when he was picked up,” Thorsell said. “I received a warm welcome and was introduced to everyone.”

As a way to contribute to your stay in the host city, the creators of couchsurfing.org suggest that the person visiting cook a meal and provide the home owner some insight to the visitor's own culture and offer to help around the house wherever possible.

“It sounds like a good idea,” said Greg Brown, a senior English literature major, “and very interesting with the college community.”

Thorsell said that his most enjoyable experiences of traveling have been making connections with people and learning about other cultures. So he said that he enjoyed hosting people from 10 different countries while living in Munich.

“I would stay at anyone’s house but wouldn’t want people staying with me,” said Shelley Kennedy, a senior double major in language studies and English literature.

She commented on the fact that she would not be comfortable with men staying with her and would worry about her valuables in her house going missing after inviting strangers to stay with her.

“I haven’t heard any horror stories,” Thorsell said in regards to couch surfers' safety.

The only awkward experience that he said he’s had was when a girl surfed with him, she became really intoxicated and he had to take care of her. In regard to that event, he said that he’s sure that it was awkward for her as well.

Currently, Thorsell is looking forward to moving into a house in the Bay Area so he can start hosting.

“Hosting is almost a way to travel without leaving your own home,” Thorsell said.