diff --git a/backend/routes/events.js b/backend/routes/events.js
index 108d23c..2c3f0f5 100644
--- a/backend/routes/events.js
+++ b/backend/routes/events.js
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ router.put(
     if (!user.events.includes(eventId)) {
       user.events.push(eventId);
       user.stats.eventsParticipated = user.events.length;
-      await User.update(userId, user);
+      await user.save();
     }
 
     // Award points for event participation using couchdbService
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@ router.delete(
     if (user) {
       user.events = user.events.filter(id => id !== eventId);
       user.stats.eventsParticipated = user.events.length;
-      await User.update(userId, user);
+      await user.save();
     }
 
     res.json({
@@ -313,4 +313,4 @@ router.get(
   })
 );
 
-module.exports = router;
\ No newline at end of file
+module.exports = router;