outdoors C H A R L E S T O N S C
Lowcountry Active Living/ March-April 2010
FREE
sailing CHARLESTON HARBOR
plus: destination folly beach and running the cooper
PREMIER ISSUE
//001
outdoors A Lowcountry Active Living Magazine//Mar-Apr 2010
PUBLISHER Jason Kirby Ph:(843)608.4903
jason@charlestonscoutdoors.com
Editor's Note
“We should come home from adventures, and perils, and discoveries every day with new experience and character.” ~Henry David Throeau
ADVERTISING SALES Stewart Bauknight
Ph:(843)460.5016 stewbauk@aol.com ACCOUNTANT Lynn Kirby
Ph:(843)608.4903 lynn@charlestonscoutdoors.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Meredith Siemens Linda Mooney Katrina Robinson Shelia Watson CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Taylor Spear Joe Felder Charlie Nunn Scott Goodwin Katy Perrin Amanda Rowell SPECIAL THANKS
Michael Costa Amanda Rowell
We believe that Charleston and the Lowcountry offers one of the greatest examples of Outdoors active living anywhere in the world. From its beaches and landscapes to the diversity of its people and cultures, the Lowcountry has something for every person of every age. Each issue will cover a range of sports, places, adventures, people, gear, and trends that make up an active lifestyle. Our mission is to inspire readers to take full advantage of the wonders that surround us here in the Lowcountry and throughout the world. ~Jason Kirby
Published by Charleston SC Outdoors, LLC. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent from the publisher. Views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Charleston SC Outdoors. Charleston SC Outdoors Magazine does not endorse or guarantee any product, service, or vendor mentioned or pictured in this magazine in editorial or advertising space. To carry Charleston SC Outdoors Magazine in your store call 843.608.4903
WWW.CHARLESTONSCOUTDOORS.COM
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Cover Photo by: Katy Perrin Charleston Race Week
10 RUNNING THE COOPER
FEATURES
Going inside the race that attracts over forty thousand people a year to Charleston. We have a plan to get you ready to post your best time.
24 SAILING CHARLESTON
The Ocean Sailing Academy will share with you everything you need to know to do it right.
16 GREATEST DAY ON THE WATER George Poveromo reflects on a record day off the coast of San Salvador. We got the pictures to prove it!
28 OUT OF THE KITCHEN
It’s Spring finally! Chef Sean Brock of McGrady’s shares his passion for the outdoors and what the lowcountry means to him. Sean even divulges the location of his favorite fishing hole and why he has so many pigs.
20 GIVING BACK
Folly Beach
Walk for Water
From the ocean to the restaraunts it is the place to be this spring.
08 GEAR
Spring Beachwear
We go inside Water Missions to find out what it means to give clean water to those in need.
30 MARKETPLACE
We have the best picks of everything new to get you ready for the season.
Photo by: Joe Felder All rights reserved
DEPARTMENTS
06 DESTINATIONS
Destination: Folly Beach
Every issue we will showcase one specific locale in the lowcountry and we want our readers to help us. If you go to our facebook fan page and submit your pictures and stories of destinations we will select one to be published in the next issue. For our first issue we chose Folly Beach. When anyone thinks about the beaches in Charleston its usually Folly that comes to mind first. It is, after all the quintessential beach town. From its undeniably eccentric locals to the amazing restaurants and picturesque settings, Folly has something for everyone of every age. In the spring and summer months Folly becomes a bustling beachscape with sun seekers
Photo taken by: Taylor Spear
searching for good fun and relaxation. When everyone isn’t on the beach or walking along the massive pier they are at one of several great restaurants. For example, if you’re looking for some excitement and can handle the heat then step into Taco Boy and order a habanera infused tequila shot while you enjoy some of the best fish tacos on the east coast. At night everywhere you look has live music. Whether its Reggae or Rock, Jazz or Bluegrass, Folly accommodates all kinds and usually the venues are out under the stars. While all the Beaches in Charleston are special, Folly is the one to go to if you are looking for that classic beach town style and feel.
WWW.CHARLESTONSCOUTDOORS.COM
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Spring Gear Welcome to our Spring Gear guide. Here you will find all the best new clothing and gadgets that the season has to offer. Be sure to check out our retailers websites for more awesome products.
Panasonic Lumix Waterproof DMC-FT2 price pending www.panasonic.com
VonZipper Woman’s Giggle sunglasses $78.00 www.vonzipper.com
James Patterson: Worst Case $27.99 www.jamespatterson.com
Havaianas Aotearoa $68.00 www.havaianasUS.com
Dakine Interval Sport Pack $70.00 www.dakine.com
Coleman X-Treme Cooler $145.00 www.coleman.com
Casio G-Shock G79 $130.00 www.gshock.com
Casio Baby-G Slim Marine $79.00 www.gshock.com
Hurley Paint Plaid Boardshort $55.00 www.hurley.com
Tommy Bahama Beach Towel $52.00 www.tommybohama.com
O’Neill Transition Beach Chair $34.50 www.shoponeill.com
RUNNING THE COOPER STORY BY LINDA MOONEY
Imagine 40,000 running partners joining you over the longest cablestrung bridge in the Western Hemisphere, shimmering views of the Atlantic Ocean and Charleston Harbor, cries of support from thousands of pumped-up bystanders, all on a brisk 6.2-mile morning jog designed to support a worthy cause. Sound like a nightmare? Then pack your bags and leave Charleston the last weekend of March, or at least hide inside your home till past 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 27th. But if you’re intrigued and ready to join the fitness party, read on for advice about how to get the most out of this world-class road-running event. Register early. Since its humble start 33 years ago, the Cooper River Bridge Run has skyrocketed in popularity. Even the initial foot race on April 2, 1978—started by Marcus Newberry, MD, of the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) to encourage community fitness—produced almost 700 extra last-minute registrants for a race that anticipated only 500 runners. It has since grown into one of the world’s largest 10K runs and forced officials to cap the race in 2006 at 50,000 runners. This year, the limit is 40,000, so register now before it’s too late. In 2009, entries sold out before event day, according to Race Director Julian Smith. Go to www.bridgerun.com or call (843) 856-1949. Choose a charity. The $30 to register (or $40 after March 6th) is a reasonable price when you consider what you get: a Bridge Run bag, t-shirt, transportation, water along the course, a hearty workout, fond memories and, most importantly, the chance to make a difference in the lives of people less fortunate. Each registrant may apply 100% of his or her entry fee to one of the following charities: MUSC Children’s Hospital Fund, Alzheimer’s Association, Susan G. Komen for the
Cure, Louie’s Kids, Charleston Miracle League, American Cancer Society, Lowcountry Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse or the Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy. Determine your pace. In a race that draws more than 30,000 participants every year, including both elite marathoners and once-a-year joggerwalkers, it’s important to organize the diverse crowd into positions appropriate to pace. Race officials call this “seeding” and break runners into six groups: Walkers, joggers who will take more than an hour, runners averaging 49 minutes to an hour, those under 49 minutes , the sub-40 pack, and lastly, the invited and elite runners who will lead to prevent bottlenecking. The seeding regulation, which went into effect in 2006—along with the debut of the wheelchair category—is enforced by color-coded numbers on each runner’s bib. Don’t overtrain. Clinics to train runners began back in mid January, offering 12 weeks of increasing intensity.But if you didn’t plan ahead, don’t make up for it now by embarking on hill runs or long distances , says Benita Schlau, Assistant Director of the Bridge Run, marathon runner and personal trainer at the MUSC Wellness Center. During the first three weeks of a new routine, muscle tissues break down and can leave you weaker, possibly more prone to injury. Better to maintain at the level you’re already at. If you’re not yet exercising, begin by walking a mile then jogging a mile and alternate till you can cover 4.
Run the Flowertown Festival 5K in Summerville, two weeks before, and figure out what kinks need ironing out in your game-day eating/sleeping/dressing routine. WWW.CHARLESTONSCOUTDOORS.COM
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The first mile of the Bridge Run is mostly walking anyway till the pack breaks up. “And adrenaline will get you through the last mile,” Schlau adds. Do a practice run. Take pressure off the big event by participating in a smaller one. Run the Flowertown Festival 5K in Summerville, two weeks before, and figure out what kinks need ironing out in your game-day eating/sleeping/dressing routine. Eat like a champ. Fuel your muscles with the right foods (energy) to make them perform better. Increase your fruit and vegetable intake, avoid sweets and alcohol and drink, of course, lots of water. The night before the race, indulge in carbohydrates like pasta or a baked potato for next-day energy.
Lube up. An increase in training can lead to
blisters or black toes thanks to sports bras, socks and shoes that chafe. Head them off by lubricating potential sore spots, such as behind the arm or between and around the toes. Schlau recommends Vaseline or Aquaphor Healing Ointment.
Don’t forget your bib. You must wear your
race bib number to be allowed on the course and shuttles. This year, the latest edition of the ChronoTrack D-Tags (unique serial-number transponders) will be invisibly embedded inside each bib, eliminating the need to attach it to your shoe before the race.
Show up on time. Since 1987, the start time
has been set at 8:00 a.m., but you still need to rise before the sun does as all runners must be in line by 6:30 a.m. The starting point is in Mount Pleasant on Coleman Boulevard across from Wachovia, halfway between Shem Creek and the Sea Island Shopping Center. With commuter congestion and the bridge closing to traffic at 7 a.m., your best bet from downtown Charleston is to take one of the shuttle busses from Calhoun Street, which leave between 5:00 a.m. and 6:45 a.m. continued on page 15 Above: The pack leaves the starting line Right: Leaders pulling away
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LOWCOUNTRY ACTIVE LIVING
A RUNNERS STORY ROBERT & AMANDA STORY BY KATRINA ROBINSON
The Cooper River Bridge Run isn’t just for fitness. People flock to Charleston during “Bridge Run” weekend for other reasons, too. Sometimes, love connections are made because of this notable event.
Take the 2005 run, for example. Amanda Langdorf and Robert Reilly, strangers to each other, had both lived in the area for a short period of time prior to the run. They had mutual friends who traveled to the Lowcountry each year to participate in the famed race, and these friends introduced the two. On March 31st, 2005, the day before the race, Amanda and Robert met and became instant friends. After spending the entire day together, they found out that they lived in neighboring ‘hoods in James Island. Was this mere coincidence, or was it something larger, like fate? Anyhow, Amanda wasn’t planning on participating in the bridge run…until she got talked into doing just that. The couple, along with their mutual friends, got up on April Fool’s Day 2005 and prepared themselves for a long walk across the bridge. Since there’s not a whole lot of entertainment on the bridge during the run itself, Amanda and Robert decided to take pictures of the worst outfits that made an appearance on the bridge that day. They later turned the photos into a slideshow that they dubbed “Best in Show.” They also learned that “some people simply should not wear Spandex.” Well said, folks.
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A friendship of the ages had been forged, and the two stayed very close even after their mutual friends left town. Somewhere along the way, friendship turned into romance. Robert claims that it happened when he cooked dinner for Amanda for the first (and last) time. He had a new toaster oven and wanted to try it out, so he popped some chicken in and got ready for a taste explosion. The outcome? Amanda reports that it was “the worst chicken I’ve ever had in my life.” It was overcooked, rubbery and tasteless. But it didn’t matter—romance bloomed and stuck. And, needless to say, Robert is no longer allowed to cook. The couple got married in 2007, just over two years after meeting because of the Cooper River Bridge Run. They have a daughter, Julia, who was born on July 20th, 2008, and the couple says that they can’t wait for the opportunity to bring their young daughter on the bridge run. So, while the Cooper River Bridge Run is great for getting into shape, it’s good for more than that. It’s a tool that brings people together. And sometimes, love is inevitable.
The foot race will take you down Coleman Blvd, over the bridge into Charleston, onto Meeting Street, over to King, then down to Wentworth and back to Meeting before finishing a block from Marion Square.
Don’t expect to win. Unless you’re Kenyan or run like
one. Kenyan runners have dominated the race since 1993. The Bridge Run, which is the only competition in SC sanctioned by USA Track and Field as an elite event, also pulls in world-class Olympic marathon champions such as Frank Shorter, Ruth Wysocki, Grete Waitz and Mark Conover, all vying for the first-place cash prize of $5,000 and 20-some other checks and trophies awarded.This year, a separate cash prize will be awarded to the fastest Americans.The course record to date is 27(min):40(sec) for men and 31:19 for females. Try setting a more realistic goal, like beating Oprah Winfrey, who finished 3,839th with a time of 55:48 in 1994.
Appreciate the bridge. The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, which was completed in 2005 (four years after its groundbreaking), became part of the race course in 2006 and is an architectural wonder worth gawking at. Featured on the TV show Extreme Engineering and carrying a nearly $700 million price tag, the Bridge replaced two old cantilever truss bridges that became functionally obsolete by 1979, due to extensive
metal deterioration and lack of vertical clearance for modern ships. At 2.5 miles long and 200 feet high (about 30 feet higher than the old bridges), it boasts two diamond-shaped towers that are as tall as the Washington Monument in DC. The 128 cables anchor to the towers and suspend the deck, which carries eight lanes of traffic as well as a 12-foot bicycle-pedestrian path.
Have fun. The party doesn’t stop after the run. The
Cooper River Bridge Run is a three-day festival with a free pre-race Expo the Thursday and Friday before at Gaillard Auditorium, involving giveaways from 110 sporting goods exhibitors. After the run, music, drinks, food and entertainment continue at Marion Square. There’s also a kids’ run at Hampton Park, next to the Citadel, the day before the race, with runs ranging from 25 yards to 1 mile, grouped by ages for all kids.
Keep it up. The Charleston Running Club, a nonprofit
group with about 300 members that has been around for over 30 years, was instrumental in starting the initial Bridge Run and continues to play a vital role in the race by representing on the board and supplying volunteers. Anyone wishing to stay motivated through group training year-round, can join online at www. charlestonrunningclub.com.
Since 1987, the start time has been set at 8:00 a.m., but you still need to rise before the sun does as all runners must be in line by 6:30 a.m. Photos courtesy of The Cooper River Brige Run
WWW.CHARLESTONSCOUTDOORS.COM
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ONE GREAT DAY WRITTEN BY LINDA MOONEY STORY BY GEORGE POVEROMO
George Poveromo was itching for a 100-pound Wahoo. With a camera crew in tow for his decade-old ESPN2 TV series, George Poveromo’s World of Saltwater Fishing, this producer and host felt the desire to conjure up something picture-perfect. So, he went where his odds were best: the Bahamas—namely, San Salvador, where the largest Wahoo in the world tend to migrate each winter and early spring. His team had been out for no more than an hour when they hooked up to a 60-pound beautiful Wahoo, a phenomenal catch by U.S. standards but Poveromo wasn’t satiated
and kept at it, pulling in a 57-pounder, then a 50- and a 48-pounder. Another hour passed and schools of yellow fin tuna began to swarm, when suddenly, “something really big ate the far rod with a 32oz lure,” Poveromo recounts with an urgency to his words.
“Now when you go to San Salvador, in the back of your mind you know it’s a spot that you have decent odds of catching a Wahoo over 100 pounds.”
He continues the tale, his voice rising as he talks about grabbing the Penn International 70 rod with the 80-pound test line nearly 800 yards long. “Half the spool was gone! Then, three quarters! I’m thinking, I’ve got something HUGE here. It’s going to outstrip us.” His excitement is particularly infectious when one considers his extensive credentials. Ranked at age 23 as one of the top eight anglers in the country, Poveromo has fished the entire U.S. coast, as well as Alaska, Hawaii, Bermuda, the Grand Canary Islands, the Caribbean and numerous Central and South American destinations. He became Editor-At-Large for Salt Water Sportsman Magazine, after decades of reporting and pens the magazine’s monthly “Tactics & Tackle” column. He produces and hosts the Salt Water Sportsman National Seminar Series, which tours eight major cities annually and has educated over 130,000 anglers. Then, of course, there’s his Sunday morning ESPN2 show, on which he teaches viewers how to catch exotic species and regional favorites. In short, the man is a legend in fishing. So, it’s presumable, the buildup must be worth it. And it is. After pumping on this weight and regaining three-quarters of his reel, before losing another 100 yards after the fish takes off again, Poveromo finally wins the prolonged fight. The mystery creature broke the surface looking “like a humongous inflatable pool float, something Walt Disney would create,” recalls Poveromo. The Captain hit the massive fish with a gaffe and opened the tuna door to drag him in. Meanwhile, Poveromo was “freaking out” at his size before he could even see halfway down past his pec fins.
The catch of the day turned out to be a 143 pound 3 oz. Wahoo—just 15 pounds off the tackle world record at the time, five years ago. Reaching 6 ½ feet in length, with a girth of 36 inches, the fish could comfortably fill out a pair of men’s jeans. Poveromo, who was naturally on cloud 9, says it still hangs over his swimming pool back home in Parkland, Florida But since not everyone can fly to the Bahamas, it’s worth noting that quality-size Wahoo can also be had right off the coast here in South Carolina. In fact, a Wahoo as large as 130 pounds 5 oz. was caught in Murrell’s Inlet in 1998, and thousands of anglers come to the Charleston area every year for some of the finest fishing off the Atlantic coast. Wahoo (Acanthocybium solanderi), known for being the largest, meanest and fastest (up to 60 mph) mackerels in American waters, are extremely tasty with their firm, snow-white meat, free of heavy blood lines, that remains very mild even after lengthy stays in the freezer. But the waters off Charleston are also plentiful in other big game sport fish, such as blue marlin, sailfish and dorado and inshore bottom fish such as grouper and giant red snapper, particularly as the open-sea fish migrate from the North East during winter months. Blue fin tuna, reaching as much as 700 pounds, can also be found off the SC coast from late November through January, and by June, the SC coast becomes one of the best areas to fish in the world, brimming with every species. So grab your rod, brace for it to double over and listen to the reel scream as the line peels off!
The mystery creature broke the surface looking “like a humongous inflatable pool float, something Walt Disney would create,” recalls Poveromo. 18
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WWW.CHARLESTONSCOUTDOORS.COM
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WATER MISSIONS 2010 WALK FOR WATER STORY BY SHELIA WATSON
In developed countries such as the United States, the act of getting a drink of water is hardly given a second thought. One walks to the sink, turns the faucet and fills the glass.
But that’s not the case for about one-third of the Earth’s population, which lives in waterstressed areas, and that number is expected to rise over the next two decades. Many times water is carried long distances from the water source to the village, a burden borne mainly by women and children. The Walk for Water event, to be held Saturday, Mar. 20, and sponsored by Water Missions International, is inspired by this daily trek to collect water. During the walk, participants carry a bucket of water to symbolize the journey women and children make each day to collect water in developing countries. The event coincides with International World Water Day, a United Nations program held annually on March 22 as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. Among the activities are walks, held on that date or a date close to it, to communicate messages of water quality. “The Walk for Water is an educational experience that anyone can enjoy,” says Molly Greene, who founded Water Missions International with her husband, George, following a response to Hurricane Mitch in 1998. “The world water crisis is one of the most significant public health issues of our time, and this is a way to learn about it and help solve it at the same time.” The need to solve the water crisis is significant. Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations, pointed out that, “We shall not finally defeat AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria or any of the other infectious diseases that plague
the developing world until we have also won the battle for safe drinking water, sanitation and basic health care.” All funds raised support Water Missions International’s ongoing efforts to provide safe water, sanitation and God’s love to people around the world. The Water Missions International first Walk for Water was in March of 2007, Walk for Water promotes awareness of the global water crisis while raising funds to provide safe water around the globe. The first walk included 400 participants. This year the number of walkers is expected to be triple that amount. The walk is a non-competitive, 3.5-mile walk beginning and ending at Cannon Park in downtown Charleston. During the walk, each participant has the opportunity to carry an empty water pail, which can be filled with water at the halfway point along the route then carried to the finish. The entire walk is estimated to take less than an hour to complete. Following the walk there will be a solar powered Living Water Treatment System demonstration, a variety of festivities, including live music, food and children’s activities until 1:00 p.m. All walkers who meet their goal of raising $100 will get a Walk for Water T-shirt.
The event is family-friendly and pet-friendly. Strollers, wagons and pets are encouraged on the walk, although skates and bikes will not be allowed. continued on page 22
“The Walk for Water is an educational experience that anyone can enjoy,” says Molly Greene, who founded Water Missions International with her husband, George, following a response to Hurricane Mitch in 1998. 20
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Photos courtesy of Water Missions
“The teams can become quite competitive,” says Greene. “Some of the awards given are for the most creative name, most funds raised, best team spirit, and so on. It is an opportunity to spend a Saturday morning with friends and family who come together to help our neighbors around the world who thirst. It’s a great way to participate in the event, to fundraise, friend raise and to build company morale and camaraderie among the group.” Teams, representing companies, organizations, 22
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families, churches, schools and clubs, account for about 80% of the monies raised in walks. Teams can range from as few as five walkers to hundreds. You do not have to be on a team to walk. Beginning with the 2010 event, Water Missions International is launching Walk for Water as a national series, with similar walks taking place in Holland, Mich.; Augusta, Ga.; Chicago, Ill.; Santa Barbara, Calif., and other areas. These new walks should really help grow awareness on a national level.
For the fourth consecutive year, Water Missions International was awarded Charity Navigator’s coveted 4-star rating for its ability to efficiently manage and grow its finances. According to Charity Navigator, “only 10% of the charities rated have received at least three consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that Water Missions International consistently executes its missions in a fiscally responsible way, and outperforms most charities in America. This ‘exceptional’ designation from Charity Navigator differentiates Water Missions International from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust.” Water Missions International is a Christian non-profit engineering organization founded in 2001. The organization’s mission is to provide sustainable access to safe water and an opportunity to hear the “Living Water” message in developing countries and disaster areas. These safe water solutions bring immediate and lasting benefits in health, dignity, education, productivity, and income generation to some of the world’s most marginalized and forgotten people. For more information, including information about registering for the walk, visit WMI’s Web site at www.watermissions. org.
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BEHIND THE HELM SAILING CHARLESTON STORY BY MEREDITH SEIMENS Drive almost anywhere in Charleston and one sees sailboats dotting the harbor or methodically lining slips. The sight strikes a pang of nautical intrigue that makes even the greatest of landlubbers’ lust to be out on the sea. Maybe it is the tranquility, like kites that have chosen to take to the water or perhaps the adrenaline of the race to tack and jibe. Either way, the sailing industry in Charleston is booming and whether you are a local looking to take up a new hobby or a visitor looking to take to the open water, manning the helm is not as out of reach as one may think. To prove this theory I hopped aboard at the Charleston Harbor Marina for the Ocean Sailing Academy’s Intro to Sailing course. It is the proverbial 3 hour tour that Florence, the OSA office manager, says establishes “if you can hack it,” and would clear up whether I was ready for the time and monetary investment of other courses. Before boarding the boat we were reassured that keelboats, the learning craft of choice, are nearly impossible to capsize. The design is such that over half of a keelboat’s weight is below the water line allowing it to be tender (tippy, to those not familiar with the sailing lingo), but stable. This is an added piece of mind when taking the course in January, a month that in Charleston, unlike most cities, is still shockingly pleasant sailing weather, but not so much for swimming. In its three hours, the course covered the basics of wind direction, steering the tiller, the general mechanics of the boat, raising and lowering the sails, charting your journey and becoming familiar with your environment. It strives to expose students to the expertise and comfort that lead to peace and serenity on the water. Florence may also be correct that it thins out the herd, but I will vouch that it is difficult not to be won over by a day on the water, even with a little work involved. OSA offers many course options, but it is never prudent to run before you walk, as Sterling one of OSA’s captains recommends, the Basic Keelboat 1 and 2 are sure to turn out confident sailors. The class size for these courses never exceeds four students and provides 6 full days and over 40 hours of instruction. 24
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Upon completion, students are certified to sail independently and can charter day sails from OSA to keep their skills sharp without the investment of a boat. The Basic Keelboat 1 runs $650 and Basic Keelboat 2 $670, with a combo rate of $1250 for both. Similar courses are also available at the Charleston Sailing School. Operating from the City Marina, Captain Will Miller believes that the Charleston sailing community is a well-kept secret that is just now being leaked. The length of the sailing season and complexity and thrill of the local waters make Charleston an enviable spot for serious sailors. He recommends hitting the water before word
A group of boats racing in Charleston Harbor Photo by Katy Perrin spreads too far. The CSS offers a Basic Keelboat Sailing (101) as well. The course is a proven combination of classroom and on-the-water instruction, totaling around 16 hours over two days. Class sizes are limited to four and cover everything from sailing theory to crew overboard prevention and recovery techniques. Upon completion, students attain American Sailing Association certification and are recognized as competent sailors. The Charleston Sailing School Basic Keelboat Sailing runs $550. Perhaps all of this sailing talk is intriguing, but
you prefer to sit back and enjoy the breeze? There are also many tour options to get out on the water and take in the Lowcountry landscape without the toil. The Schooner Pride is an 84’ tall ship that sails through the harbor and into a bit of history. Sit back and sip the beverage of your choice or try your hand at the rigging by helping the crew. The trip runs about two-hours, costs $31 or $39 depending on the sail, and puts guests up close and personal to such historic sights as the Battery, Ft. Sumter, the U.S.S Yorktown and Castle Pinckney. continued on page 27 WWW.CHARLESTONSCOUTDOORS.COM
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continued from page 25 Aquasafaris and their two ships the Palmetto Breeze catamaran and the 50’ classic sailing sloop, Serena also provide the thrill of the open water without the challenge of captaining the craft. The public charter offerings include sunset sails, family sails and pirate sailing adventures that run $25 for children and $35 for adults. Each boat provides a different course and views of stunning local sights. Whether you find yourself hoisting the sails or kicking back on the bow, do get out and enjoy the gorgeous waterways that Charleston is so lucky to call her own. As I have learned as a seasoned Intro to Sailing student, the first step is a gust of wind. If you don’t like it, wait ten minutes and you will have a new one. It is a big world out there -- take the helm!
Phone Calls to Ports of Call OSA Sailing 24 Patriots Point Road Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina 29464 (843) 971-0700 www.osasailing.com Charleston City Marina 17 Lockwood Drive Charleston SC, 29401 (843) 364-4123 www.charlestonsailingschool.com AquaSafaris, Inc. Worldwide Charter Yachts
Photography for previous page provided by: The Ocean Sailing Academy
FC P
First Commercial Partners
COMMERCIAL l INDUSTRIAL l INVESTMENT l DEVELOPMENT
843.971.5983 WWW.CHARLESTONSCOUTDOORS.COM
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OUT OF THE KITCHEN WITH CHEF SEAN BROCK STORY BY MEREDITH SIEMENS
It is, unfortunately, not the luxury of most chefs to have a lot of free time out of the kitchen. The concept of regular hours, much less a regular sporting activity, is pretty foreign. Chef Sean Brock of McCrady’s has found a way to combine a hobby with both a passion and a career through farm to plate initiatives. From the farm on Wadmalaw Island, Chef Brock nurtures heirloom crops, finds piece of mind and gets a great workout. Read on to find out what’s on the plate and what you didn’t know goes into getting it there! What were your favorite outdoor activities growing up? I grew up in a very rural part of Virginia- lots of squirrel, deer and rabbit hunting. We did a lot of dirt bikes, ATVs – all the good redneck sports. I was also always in the garden with my grandmother and mother every day. How did your outdoor time as a child carry over to your career now? My childhood in the garden and outdoors centered around seeing vegetables grow, harvesting and cooking them and sharing them with people. That full circle was my inspiration to be a chef. Twenty years later, I’m spending the day in the garden and evening in the kitchen – just like as a kid. Farm to plate is a huge initiative for McCrady’s, how is your time split between working at the farm and being in the kitchen? When the garden is in full bloom, I am there from 9am to 2pm and then in the kitchen from 2:30 to midnight, five days a week. On my days off, I spend the time in the garden for relaxation. What are the activities of the farm? Working the farm is crazy – just harvesting alone. For example, just transplanting heirloom tomatoes, you’ll haul compost, lay irrigation, harvest them, load it up – it’s fun though. I hear the real sport on the farm has to do with the pigs – what is the deal with pig wrangling? People think it is easy. I certainly did when I first started pig farming. Lets say it is time to take two pigs and there are twelve in the pen at 800lbs each. They are fast, don’t let them fool you, and they don’t want to be caught. You have to wrangle them like a cowboy. Some people call me a pig 28
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whisperer, just because I have done it so much. What’s the most rewarding thing about being outdoors and in the dirt? Couple things – it is time spent in silence – no interruptions, no cell phones or e-mails. It is also a chance to think about food on a new level. If the task is onions, I am thinking and brainstorming for four hours on how to cook onions. You can think of all aspects; everything from how to prepare the item to how to preserve, store or pickle it. Fresh foods have been a passion for a while, anything new on the horizon that we may see on the menu? I want to focus more on duck hunting. The owner of the restaurant owns a plantation on the Ace Basin and I am anxious to get down there. Is there anything that gets you away from the realm of farming ingredients, brainstorming dishes or preparing these feasts? I love playing Frisbee with my dogs- Hank, Duke & Yuzu (a Japanese citrus fruit, for those of you wondering). What’s your favorite outdoor aspect of Charleston? The beach and the margaritas – a lot of people take it for granted, but that is definitely one of my favorite things. I love the fishing – I would fish every day if I could. Any favorite fishing holes? It depends really—Sheepshead fishing at Bowen’s and, as cheesy as it sounds, I enjoy fishing off the pier at Folly Beach. You can catch sharks, sting rays – all sorts of fun stuff. Where can people find you during BB&T Charleston Wine & Food Festival? I’m doing a really cool cooking demonstration on Sunday at 2pm in the Culinary Village, talking about Hoppin John and Carolina gold rice. I’m pretty excited about that and you can be guaranteed to see me at every after party!
Photos courtesy of McCrady’s
“My childhood in the garden and outdoors centered around seeing vegetables grow, harvesting and cooking them and sharing them with people.”
Top Right: Sean in the kitchen at McCrady’s Top Left: Walking on the farm Below: Sean’s pigs
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