Lowcountry Paddler`s Club Newsletter

Lowcountry Paddler’s Club Newsletter
M a y 20 1 1
Hawkin Sisters at the Patriot Challenge
By Wyndy Amerson
Oh, What a Ride!
For all the participants who came to the first ever Charleston Patriot Challenge, no other entrant was more exciting
than the Hawkins sisters, Amanda and Jillian. At 25 and
26 years old, the sisters had never paddled their plastic
sit-on-top kayak in a race. They certainly had never paddled past the walls of the Battery on the six mile course
where the winds and current could turn tranquil waters
into turbulent waves reminiscent of a commercial grade
washing machine.
The girls’ uncle who often participates in triathlons had
encouraged the girls to give paddling a try at the Patriot’s Challenge. Amanda had often run with her uncle
in several events but this would be the first kayaking event. Jillian Hawkins called Rick Carter at the end of
March asking for details about the Patriot Challenge. He was thrilled to have young paddlers on the water
since one of his objectives was to promote a more youthful participation in the Lowcountry Paddlers as well
CLUB PADDLES
(Continued on page 5)
Sat, May 7
**
Dawhoo River, Alligator Alley and Circumnavigation of Jehossee Island. 12 miles.
TBD
Meet at Dawhoo Boat Landing at 9:00 and
launch at 9:15. (High tide ~noon)
Sat, May 14
Folly Landing to Morris Island Lighthouse
Split on return, advance return around Folly Island, regular
return back the way group came out.
Meet at Folly Beach Landing at 8:30 and launch
at 8:45 AM. (Low tide ~noon)
**
***
Regular Trip: 11 miles
Advanced Trip: 13 miles
Michael: rmcondon3@comcast.net
Helon: heloneverett@yahoo.com
Sun, May 22
*
Ashepoo River
Bennetts Point to Brickyard Landing. 9 miles
TBD
Meet at BP station in Jacksonboro at 8:30 and
leave at 8:35. (High tide ~2pm)
Sun, May 29
**
Folly Landing to beach at Kiawah and back. 10 miles.
TBD
Meet at Folly Beach Landing at 9 and launch by
9:15AM. (Low tide ~noon).
Sat, Jun 4
**
Edisto River, 10 miles.
Big Bay Creek to Otter Island and back.
Todd Beach: gysgtkayaker@hotmail.com
Meet at Dawhoo Landing by 9. Leave at 9:05
and drive to launch area. Launch is from a state
park and a fee is due unless you have a state
park pass. (Low tide ~noon).
“Making the most of our beautiful coast!”
Not Your Typical Paddle to Bull Island
By Helon Everett
LOWCOUNTRY PADDLERS
We are a socially and economically diverse organization with
one common link…a love of
paddling. Whether kayak or
canoe, expert or beginner, we all
enjoy the camaraderie and the
beauty of South Carolina's
waterways.
Our meetings are held on the
third Monday of each month
(except December), with club
paddles scheduled throughout
the year. Please join us and
share in the fun!
Lowcountry Paddlers meet at:
Providence Baptist Church
294 Seven Farms Drive
Daniel Island
Join us at our next
meeting
May 16th at 7 p.m.
LCP Club Officers
President
Todd Beach
Vice-President
Dan Hoke
Treasurer
David Bearse
Secretary
Carol Smith
The winds where howling that morning. As I drove over the Don Holt Bridge a gust pushed my
car over about 5 feet and knocked my kayak off its blocks. I slowed to 40 mph and hoped I would
get over the bridge before my kayak flew off my car. Thankfully, I did get over before anything
worse happened. I did decide at that point I was going to take a different path home.
I was surprised to see that 6 other paddlers showed up for the scheduled trip to Bull Island.
Winds were sustained at 20 to 25 knots with gusts to 30 knots. Not weather for a typical Sunday
paddle. Dan Hoke, Jim Uchneat, Jim Tuten, Steve Arato, Michael Condon, and Andy Burgess ,
the trip leader, where there and ready to paddle. There was no “Are we really going to do this?”
However, since there would be no protection from the wind in the bay the decision was made to
change the destination from the north end of Bull Island to the interior of the island where the
ferry dock is located
We launched and headed out to the end of the dock where a water break was to see what awaited us. The winds we blowing from the NE – right down the Intracoastal. At this point Andy decided the winds would be too much for him and headed back to the landing. He offered the maps to
me but I said that we would be fine since Michael Condon knew the way. We paddled against
the stiff breeze to the first cut in where you take a right. At this point Michael Condon decided
that the winds were too much for him and he headed back to the landing. While we huddled in
the marsh grass I asked if anybody else wanted to go back. Jim Uchneat said he didn’t think it
was going to be fun but he was up for it. I was kicking myself for not getting the maps from Andy
since we now lost our knowledge person. Thankfully, Jim Uchneat has paddled out there a lot
and was sure he could get us there. So we paddle on.
We had a nice current with us so even though the winds were against us almost the entire way
out it only took us 1.5 hours to get to our destination. The key to paddling in windy conditions is
to paddle smart. Don’t paddle in the middle. Even if you think the wind it coming directly down
the creek you can almost always get a break on the sides. When we took a break we would all
go into the marsh grass to get out of the wind. There was one short period were the winds were
at our back and we all got to take a break from paddling and literally blow down the creek riding
the wind waves. The most challenging conditions were at the end of our paddle out. The strong
outgoing current and the northeast wind opposed each other creating waves that were 2 to 3 feet
high. It was a fun time particularly since we knew we were near our destination.
We landed on Bull, ate our lunch, walked to the beach to admire the churning ocean, and gathered up some drift wood. After returning to our boats we noticed the tide had gone out significantly since we landed. Dan called his girlfriend Julie and told her that if she didn’t hear from him in 2
hours she might want to call the Coast Guard. If we wanted to get off the island there was no
chose but to get muddy. The bottom of the boat ramp was all pluff mud. I decided since pluff
mud is extremely slippery why not just put the boat down in the mud and have someone give me
a shove. It worked beautifully. Jim shoved my boat and I went flying into the water. Dan was the
last to launch and probably got the muddiest.
On the paddle back we had the wind at our back most of the way. Though, there was one point
where the wind was in our face and no way to get out of it. Dan said he judged his progress by
counting the number of oysters he passed. We probably weren’t even going half and mile an
hour. Thankfully, it wasn’t far we had to paddle before we turned a corner and got out of the
wind. When we hit the Intracoastal with the wind at our back Dan said he clocked himself going
4.3 mph without even paddling.
At one point during this trip Jim Uchneat looked over at me and said “You are loving this aren’t
you?” I was having a blast. This was my kind of paddling. I loved every minute of it. I think everybody else enjoyed it too -though maybe only after it was over. Don’t be afraid to paddle in the
wind. You will become a better and smarter paddler for it.
* This month’s cover photo courtesy of Andy Anderson at the Patriot Challenge
- Page 2 -
- LCP BUSINESS PAGE -
April 18, 2011 - Minutes
President Todd Beach called the meeting to
order by welcoming the 39 attendees,
including three visitors and two new
members. He invited them to introduce
themselves, and he then introduced the club
officers.
SPEAKER
Tonight’s speaker is Cathy Piffath, one of
the owners of H2Outfitters, which is based
in Maine. They offer guided trips (mostly
camping), both in the US and
internationally; give paddle lessons; and
hold workshops. H2Outfitters are in town
for the 21st annual ECC&KF, which they
have been a part of each year since the
beginning. Cathy explained that there are
certain trips they take regularly, but if you
have a different destination in mind, just let
them know. She showed wonderful slides of
a few of their regular trips, including Japan,
Italy, the Bahamas, & even a few shots of
her local paddling places in Maine. We
learned a little about each locale’s customs,
history and geography. For more
information on H2Outfitters, and their
many trip offerings, check out their website
at: www.H2outfitters.com. Dan thanked
our speaker and presented her with a token
of our appreciation, a coveted LCP coffee
mug.
OLD BUSINESS
The March LCP Club minutes were
approved, as published on the web and in
the Yakker.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Beginning Balance
2579.82
Receipts
226.00
Disbursements
350.38
Outstanding Checks
TRIP LEADER REPORT
PATRIOT CHALLENGE
4/29 - Ralph Earhart is leading a show-n-go
LCP received a lovely note from Wyndy
to explore routes around Sparkleberry
Amerson thanking us for our assistance and
Swamp. Meet at the launch at 11:00, checksupport at the Patriot Challenge. It is on the
in time at the campground is 2:00.
table for all to read, and a copy will be
4/30 – Todd Beach will lead the group on
published in the May Yakker.
our regular club paddle in Sparkleberry
Rick Carter brought beautiful awards and
Swamp. This is a one star trip,
medals to distribute to members who had
approximately 7 miles. Meet at the boat
placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd in their category at the
launch at 9:15, launch at 9:30.
Challenge. If you won, but were not at the
5/7 – Ralph Earhart will lead an
intermediate, two star paddle on the
Dawhoo River, ("Alligator Alley"), and
Circumnavigate Jehossee Island.
Approximately 12 Miles. Meet at the
Dawhoo Boat Landing at 9:00, launch at
9:15.
meeting, Rick will mail your award to you.
To see a complete list of results, please
check out
www.charlestonpatriotchallenge.com and
click on "Results." You may be surprised!!
Rick thanked everyone again for their
support and participation which helped to
make the 1st Annual event such a success.
We also thanked Rick and congratulated
him on a job well done!
5/14 – This is a two pronged trip, both
Regular and Advanced. Folly Landing to
Morris Island Lighthouse, and split up on
Door Prizes were distributed, and the
return trip. Those taking the advanced route
meeting adjourned.
will continue all the way around Folly
Island, the other kayakers will return the
same way as the group paddled out.
Respectfully Submitted,
The Advanced trip (approximately 13 miles)
will be led by Helon Everett, and is a fourstar paddle.
The Regular trip (Approximately 11 miles)
will be led by Michael Condon, and is a two
-star paddle.
TRIP PLANNING MEETING
Ralph will have a trip planning meeting in
May. Please let us know of any trip
suggestions you may have.
CLUB PICNIC
89.69
Todd spoke with the folks at Time Out, and
they are willing to give us a great deal on a
Bank Balance
2545.13
kayak for our raffle which will be held at
We currently have 135 LCP members. Ten our picnic in June. We will announce the
people joined at the ECC&KF. Our booth model and other details just as soon as we
get them! Please support Time Out Sports;
at the Festival profited $351.00 from the
sale of food and beverages. Many thanks to they have always been very good to us.
those who brought baked goods for us to
sell!
- Page 3 -
Carol Smith, Secretary
Amazing Rescues on the Ashley
By Wyndy Amerson
It’s a kite, it’s a boat – No! It’s Mike Struve to the rescue!
Imagine paddling your kayak down the Ashley River towards the
Harbor when you suddenly hear people shouting from the Battery, “Man
down! Help!” I turn to see a participant of the Patriot Challenge treading
in the swirling waters of the Ashley as he attempts to right his Westside
kayak. A kayak not known for its buoyancy. All I could think was, “Yea,
he has on his PFD.”
I do a quick left turn and head for the splashing paddler. The
water-logged man told me that he could right his boat as he tried to pull it
towards the Battery wall. I didn’t think he could do it by himself and there
is nowhere to stand up at the Battery. I began to think of the best
approach to dump the water and get the guy back in his kayak. Having
just completed Helon Everett’s rescue course at Breech Inlet on April 3rd,
I thought I could do it. I just needed a small crane or a testosterone
loaded bicep.
Another participant, Pam Kylstra, paddled forward and offered us
her bilge pump. I appreciated Pam’s generous nature but she didn’t look
she was any stronger than me when it came to dumping a kayak full of
water. Then there was the soaking wet man to pull back into his kayak.
I’m not sure how long we’d have to pump the water to empty the kayak. I
was thinking - tow rope?
“I’ll get him. Go ahead and race.” shouts someone coming up
from behind me. It’s Mike Struve in his blue hat and looking every inch of
Superman in his kayak.
Mike had participated in Helon’s class as well and I knew he could execute
one of the procedures. Pam handed us her bilge pump and headed on
down towards the Harbor turn-around point. I stayed with Mike and our
swimming participant.
Mike calmly told the man what to do so that Mike could bring the
tip of the kayak over Mike’s kayak in order to dump the water. I held
Mike’s kayak steady as Mike executed a perfect “T” rescue. He enabled
the man to slip back into his kayak. We then used Pam’s bilge pump to rid
the excess water from the Westside. In less than 5 minutes from the time
Mike arrived, the competitive paddler (another term for racer) was
on his way to overtake his competition in the Patriot Challenge.
Mike later told me that he did five rescues at the Patriot Challenge. He
also managed to medal! We both appreciated Helon’s class. It came in
handy. Everyone who had an unplanned swimming event appreciated
saving their kayak or canoe as well as being able to slip back into the seat
and continue their Blast to the Battery!
- Page 4 -
N E W ME MBE R S !
Fred Herrmann
Patrick Schwab
Craig Campbell
Kevin O’Shea
Art & Betts Gatewood
Dave Banner
Betsy Rivers
Deirdre Luttrell & son Daniel
Peter Sheehan
Archie Thompson
Mallory Cannon
- REMINDER NEWSLETTER HAS GONE
GREEN!
If green is not your favorite color,
you can still request that a
newsletter be mailed to you each
month. Anyone who would still
like to receive a hard copy may
please contact Dave Bearse.
Email: dave.bearse@gmail.com
Phone: 843-216-3793
Letter: 3300 Barkla Ave.,
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29466
.
- Newsletter Submissions If you have an article or announcement for
us to include in the next issue, please email it to lowcountrypaddlers@ yahoo.com
before May 25.
Also be aware that copyright laws prevent
us from printing published items without
permission.
NOTE: Articles submitted anonymously will not be
accepted for publication.
(Continued from page 1)
as raise funds for the Wounded Warrior Project. He knows from running, that you have to inspire the youth
to participate, in order to grow the sport.
Rick encouraged the girls to participate and explained how they had two course options based upon experience and comfort in the water. He explained about having safety boats out on the water and the requirement to have a PFD and whistle. Jillian said she and her sister were excited to try the six mile course and
thought they could do it.
The day of the Patriot Challenge, people gathered at the registration tent to pick up their schwag bags donated by Harris Teeter brimming with great stuff gathered by members of the Lowcountry Paddlers. The sky
was overcast but the Ashley River looked calm as it flowed towards the Harbor. Anne Marie Maghakian
sang the National Anthem before Rick Carter made announcements and Helon Everett had a brief safety
chat with the participants.
The three mile participants loaded their kayaks, canoes and Stand-up Paddleboards into the water aided by
volunteers from the Citadel corps. Jefferson Nicholson of Adventure Geek Productions sounded the horn
and off they went up the Ashley one and half miles. Oleg Venegerowsky paddled his Surfski back to the
start line at Brittlebank in the time of 23:43.
The six mile course participants began 10 minutes after the three mile course participants began their adventure on the Ashley. Most of the more experienced paddlers began near the red buoy located in front of
Jefferson’s perch at Brittlebank. The horn sounded to release a sea of colorful kayaks, canoes and SUP’s
towards the Battery. Between the wind and the current, the water near the Battery Walls churned as though
they were being stirred by a giant Mixmaster. One experienced kayaking competitor was swamped and
went swimming just below the Battery Wall. As he was helped back into his kayak by Mike Struve, the Hawkins sisters headed towards the Battery paddling their plastic Wilderness Systems Pamlico 735-T. Their
squeals of delight could be heard from a distance.
Julie Acker and the girls’ uncle watchfully paddled beside them as they made their way towards the turnaround buoy. This was quite the athletic endeavor for more experienced paddlers and you had to wonder
how two novice paddlers on their sit-a-top kayak would make it. Make it, they did! Around the turn-around
buoy at the three mile marker, passing by the wash of the Battery and onto the finish at Brittlebank.
Squeals of delight at each wave that splashed them echoed in our ears. These girls were having a blast.
Pete Green, a seasoned kayaker, fell into the Ashley River twice but managed to be the first participant
across the finish line at a time of 54:39. Amanda and Jillian Hawkins won a second place medal in the Tandem Recreational Class with a time of 1:31:26. They said they had a great time and plan to paddle again at
the second annual Charleston Patriot Challenge next spring.
In the meantime, they may join other paddlers in the Lowcountry Paddlers for some show and go’s or the
Tybee River Race at Tybee Island on June 4th. They discovered it is fun to be out there in their kayak and
challenging themselves to do something new. It was inspirational to many of the other paddlers to hear their
squeals of delight as they met each challenge. It helps everyone remember that the bottom line is to have
fun and paddle.
Visit us on the Web!
P.O. Box 13242
Charleston, S.C. 29422
www.lowcountrypaddlers.net
- Page 5 -
CANOEING AT CAW CAW
ACA STAND UP PADDLEBOARD (SUP) CLASSES
Heritage to Habitat Canoe Tour
Intro to SUP
Enjoy an interpretive canoe trip and travel back to the age of rice
as we paddle through rice fields and canals that now serve as one
of the richest wildlife habitats in the Lowcountry.
May 7 Sat 9:00am-11:30am Course # 24618
Mar 12 Sat 9:00am-11:30am Course # 24616
Meets at: Caw Caw Interpretive Center
Fee: $15/$12 CCR Discount Age: 9 & up
SUP’s are a go anywhere water craft suitable for lakes, marshes,
lazy rivers, ocean coasts, and the dynamic surf zone. Get started
right with instruction in safety and proper technique that will
allow you to progress comfortably at your own pace.
May 9 Mon 6:00pm-7:30pm Course # 24714
May 15 Sun 1:30pm-3:00pm Course # 24715
May 21 Sat 3:00pm-4:30pm Course # 24716
May 26 Thu 6:00pm-7:30pm Course # 24717
Meets at: James Island County Park
Fee: $24/$20 CCR Discount Age: 16 & up
Caw Caw Sunset/Moonrise Paddle
Enjoy an interpretive paddle at dusk. Witness the sun as it slips
below the trees of Caw Caw Swamp and watch the moonrise over
Tea Farm Creek.
ACA KAYAK CLASSES
May 16 Mon 6:00pm-8:30pm Course # 24620
ACA Introduction to Kayaking - Level 1
Meets at: Caw Caw Interpretive Center
Let our ACA certified instructors help you learn a new skill comFee: $18/$15 CCR Discount Age: 9 & up
fortably and enjoyably. Using a variety of boats, this entry-level
course teaches you basic strokes and skills to have fun on the waCaw Caw Sunset/Moonrise Paddle
ter!
Enjoy an interpretive paddle at dusk. Witness the sun as it slips
Mar 19 Sat 9:00am-1:00pm Course # 24700
below the trees of Caw Caw Swamp and watch the moonrise over Meets at: James Island County Park
Tea Farm Creek.
Fee: $42/$35 CCR Discount Age: 16 & up
May 16 Mon 6:00pm-8:30pm Course # 24620
Meets at: Caw Caw Interpretive Center
ACA Essentials of Kayak Touring - Level 2
Fee: $18/$15 CCR Discount Age: 9 & up
This course is designed to teach beginners to paddle sea kayaks
safely and enjoyably on lakes, calm protected ocean environments, and other flat-water settings. Boats, equipment, safety,
plus basic strokes and rescues will be covered. Similar to the Intro
Quatro de SUP - OH
to Kayaking class, but with more focus on rescues and refining
Join us on May 4th for a sunset slide around the salt marshes of
strokes.
James Island. The next night you can add limes to your salt marsh
May 1 Sun 9:00am-3:00pm Course # 24702
sunset memories for your Cinco de Mayo celebration.
May 21 Sat 9:00am-3:00pm Course # 24707
May 4 Wed 5:30pm-8:00pm Course # 24720
Meets at: James Island County Park
Meets at: James Island County Park
Fee: $60/$50 CCR Discount Age: 16 & up
Fee: $36/$30 CCR Discount Age: 16 & up
STAND UP PADDLEBOARD (SUP) TRIPS
ACA Kayak Quick Start - Level 1
Hike and glide around Little Oak Island
Let’s go hiking through the salt marshes behind Folly Island. You
may have done this trip in a kayak, but the stand up view and the
chance to use some new muscles make this a brand new experience.
May 22 Sun 11:00am-2:00pm Course # 24719
Meets at: Off-Site Location
Fee: $36/$30 CCR Discount Age: 16 & up
SUP on into Summer
Come learn about the fun-filled sport of kayaking. During this 2hour hands-on informal program, our experienced guides will
show you how you can enjoy the local waterways and wildlife
from a sea kayak.
May 24 Tue 6:00pm-8:00pm Course # 24703
Meets at: James Island County Park
Fee: $24/$20 CCR Discount Age: 16 & up
ACA Strokes and Maneuvers Refinement - Level 3
It’s time to perfect your technique! Using on-water practice and
It’s Memorial Day and it’s time to get outside and embrace sumvideo analysis, our ACA instructors will assist you with finemer. SUP’ing is the best way to slide on into the new season.
tuning your paddling skills. This course is
We’ll head from Wappoo Cut out to the harbor
designed for those with basic skills who want
and city marina before turning back with the
LCP members receive a 20% to take it to the next level.
tide.
discount on all water-based
May 28 Sat 1:00pm-5:00pm Course # 24704
May 30 Mon 1:00pm-4:00pm Course # 24721
programs when registering
Meets at: James Island County Park
Meets at: CCPRC Headquarters
by phone with CCPRC Park Fee: $48/$40 CCR Discount Age: 16 & up
Fee: $36/$30 CCR Discount Age: 16 & up
and Program Services.
Please call (843) 795-4FUN
- Page 6 -
(Continued on page 7)
LOCAL SEA KAYAK TRIPS
(Continued from page 6)
Round the Horn of James Island (Intermediate)
KAYAK ROLLING AND RESCUES
Introduction to Kayak Rolling Class
The greatest self-rescue tool a kayaker has, rolling also sharpens
other boating skills. Small pool classes ensure your comfort
throughout the process.
May 16-20 Mon, Wed, Fri 6:00pm-8:00pm Course # 24662
Meets at: Splash Zone
Fee: $48/$40 CCR Discount Age: 13 & up
This hardy adventure launches onto the Stono River from Battery
Island landing. We’ll ride the tide out to the horn of James Island,
round it at slack tide, and ride the incoming tide up the Folly River. Be prepared for a 7 to 9-mile paddle.
May 15 Sun 10:00am-4:00pm Course # 24666
Meets at: CCPRC Headquarters
Fee: $60/$50 CCR Discount Age: 16 & up
- Page 7 -