VELUX 5 OCEANS w/ BRAD VAN LIEW
TRIATHLON TAKE-ON session TROPHY LAKES
hidden trails
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editor’s note
C H A R L E S T O N
OUTDOORS LOWCOUNTRY ACTIVE LIVING
PUBLISHER JASON KIRBY
jason@charlestonscoutdoors.com MARKETING/SALES DIRECTOR DAVID KIRBY
Summer has finally begun to release its humidity valve on the south giving way to cooler all-be it shorter days. I have always loved the fall months. Having lived in the mountains and the piedmont I was fortunate enough to witness true season change. The coast offers such a unique fall experience in that you can continue with all your summer activities and add to that list because of the cooler weather. For example, in this issue Ken Bergman shows us the technique and persistence it takes to land a tailing Redfish on a fly. Also, we set sail on a journey around the world with Le Pingouin skipper Brad Van Liew after his win in the Velux 5 Oceans Race. Finally, we drop in on world class wakeboarding park Trophy Lakes for a memorable session and give you all the tips, info, and cutting edge gear you need to finish on top of the Triathlon podium.
david@charlestonscoutdoors.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR AMANDA ROWELL
unfazed33@gmail.com ART DIRECTOR GRIFFIN BLACKWELDER
griffin@charlestonscoutdoors.com COPY EDITOR JULIE SPRANKLES COVER PHOTOGRAPHER JASON BENJAMIN
weareesylum.com SALES EXECUTIVE LUCY LEE
lucy@charlestonscoutdoors.com WRITERS STEFAN ROGENMASER, KATIE ZIMMERMAN, NICOLE PETTINELLI, ELAINE HURSEN, CAROLINE KRAICH, JENNIFER HEISLER, KEN BERGMANN, ADAM BURRIS PHOTOGRAPHERS JOHN LOTTERHOS, JUSTIN MORRIS, TERRENCE C. LARIMER, STEFAN ROGENMASER, DANIEL CASEY
OFFICE MANAGER/ACCOUNTING LYNN KIRBY
lynn@charlestonscoutdoors.com
~Jason Kirby SPECIAL THANKS TO ADDISON GRAFTON, LEAH JERDEN, JASON BENJAMIN, DANIEL CASEY, JULIE SPRANKLES 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.
Jason Kirby Publisher
“My favorite thing about fall is heading up to the mountains to camp on the weekends.”
04
Griffin Blackwelder
Amanda Rowell
Art Director
Creative Director
“The best things about fall are football, cooler weather, and my favorite holiday, Halloween.”
LOWCOUNTRY ACTIVE LIVING
“My favorite thing about fall is anything and everything having to do with pumkins.”
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.
contents 11
Sailing with Brad Van LieW
16
Charleston’s Hidden Trails
18
Triathlon Gear
30
Hailing a Ride
The Velux 5 Ocean champion takes us on board his cutting edge boat Le Pingouin
Searching out the best trails off the beaten path to go for a ride.
Our list of top triathlon gear that will help propel you to your personal all-time best.
Park your car and hop on Charleston’s premier water transportation ride.
21 Time to WAKE UP
Charleston welcomes world class cable wakeboarding facility.
September October
26 Triathlon Take-On
Tips and tricks to get you ready for the big race.
NEW IN 2011: SHUTTLES AVAILABLE
SAVE THE DATE! Join the Lowcountry Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure at the 18th annual Susan G. Komen Lowcountry Race for the Cure速. Together, we can improve the lives of those facing breast cancer in our community.
f t WWW.KOMENLOWCOUNTRY.ORG
LOCAL PRESENTING SPONSOR
calendar
September 4
Dirty Dog 5K Obstacle Race, Charleston, www.dirtydograces.com
September 17
Folly Pier Fishing Tournament, registration begins at 6am, tournament ends at 4pm. Rain or shine. 843588-3474, www.follyfishingpier.com
September 18
Kiawah Triathlon, 8am, 843853-9987, charlestontriathlonclub.com
September 24
Waves and Wishes 5K, 8am, Folly Beach, 843-853-7880, www.sc.wish.org
October 1
Connector Run for the Child 10K/5K, Isle of Palms, 843971-5357, www.iopconnectorrun.com
October 1
Palmetto Breeze Pirate Adventure & Eco Tour to Morris Island , Shem Creek Dock, 843-886-8133, www.aqua-safaris.com
October 2
Feel the Heat - 20th Annual Latin American Festival North Charleston Wannamaker County Park will host the 20th annual Latin American Festival on Sunday, from noon – 6pm.
October 8
Green and Lean 5K, 8am, Charleston, 843-720-8525, earthforce.org
October 9
Folly Beach Adventure Triathlon, Folly Beach, ccprc.com
October 10 & 11
Friends of the Semper Fi Fund Lowcountry Golf Tournament at Rivertowne Country Club. 843-849-1367, infoSemperFiGolf@gmail.com
October 15
Komen Lowcountry Race for the Cure 5K, Daniel Island, 843-556-3343 Daniel Island, 843-556-3343, www.komenlowcountry.org
October 22
The Folly Beach Challenge, Nontraditional triathlon featuring a 3-mile paddle, an 8.5-mile bike and a 3-mile run, all starting from Folly Beach County Park. 843795-4386, www.ccprc.com
October 29
5K Monster Dash & Goblin Gallop Kids Run, 9am, Sullivans Island, monster.dash5k@gmail.com
October 29
Asthma 5K, 9am, Charleston, 843-556-8451, asthma5k.org
CHARLESTONSCOUTDOORS.COM
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fishing
photos and story by Ken Bergmann
Fall Tails 08
LOWCOUNTRY ACTIVE LIVING
When you think of fall a few images jump right out at you: Back to school, cooler weather, shorter days and for some it’s time to put the fishing gear up and pick up a rifle and chase deer. Not this Kid. Fall brings images to my mind of cooler water and redfish tails waving high in the early morning air. It is my favorite season of the year and as a salt water fly fisherman whose main passion is redfish; this is the place to be.
Red Drum, or Sciaenops ocellatus, is their scientific name but they have many aliases: Redfish, Spot Tail, Spot Tail Bass, Channel Bass, Bull Reds and just plain Reds. They are a prized fish found from the Coast of Delaware all down the Atlantic coast, around Florida and all along the Gulf Coast into northeastern Mexico. Redfish are not really red but a coppery orangeish hue with a brilliant white belly and their trademark spot on their tail. They also have an electric blue edge to their tails that usually fades on the larger fish and is usually more pronounced in smaller and especially winter time fish. Depending on the waters they live in, the copper color can be a light shade or like the Upper Wando River Redfish gaining a darker “new penny” sheen to their scales. Excellent table fare and an awesome fight on light tackle or a fly rod make the Redfish a prize for most Low-Country fishermen, but most fly fishermen practice catch and release to let this magnificent fish live to fight another day. Redfish inhabit all of our rivers, creeks, and marshes around Charleston. One of their favorite haunts are the grass flats in the marsh. This is my favorite place in the whole world. Seeing the spartina grass sway in the breeze as the sun comes up, smelling the salt water as I walk along a flat and then the sight of a redfish tail popping up and waving good morning to me makes my heart skip a beat every time.
My weapon of choice when stalking them is a fly rod. I like to use an 8wt, or 8-weight, fly rod when on the hunt as this size rod is still a light rod but has the backbone to handle a big redfish that is running away from you at top speed dragging your fly and fly line behind him. In order to be
able to make sure that your fly line, and the fish, come back to you a reel that has a good solid and sealed drag on it is paramount. Fly selection is different in the fall than other time of the year as well. The water is starting to clear up and since Redfish have pretty good eyesight, the bright flashy flies of late spring and summer are sometimes too much and will spook a fish. I like to switch over to crab patterns and baitfish patterns that have darker colors and have much less flash than other season’s flies. Two of our local patterns that will have Redfish lining up to eat are the Mad Mikes Copperhead Crab and Mad Mikes Mud Minnow or M4.
These flies were developed by a good friend and co-worker at The Charleston Angler, Capt. Mike Benson, and I have fished the M4 on five continents and caught seven different species of fish on it. Although the Copperhead Crab is a flashy fly it has proven deadly on fall Redfish. Darker colors, like the M4, and more muted olives and browns will produce as well. You may also see plenty of fly fishermen tying a Dupree’s Spoon Fly onto their leaders this time of year. Slowing your presentation down is key as the water gets cooler and the Redfish slow down. As the bait starts to move out of the creeks to migrate south, the bite really turns on. Whether you are walking a flat or stalking Redfish from a flats boat, hooking a redfish and having them run across a flat a break fin speed and hearing your line scream off your reel as the drag plays its beautiful music should be on everyone’s list of things to do.
CHARLESTONSCOUTDOORS.COM
09
Daniel Island m a r i n a
Effortless
669 Marina Dr. Charleston, SC 29492 843 - 884 - 1000 www.danielislandmarina.com
sailing
Modern Equipment, Primitive Living – Life Under Sail with Brad Van Liew story by Jennifer Heisler photos courtesey of Brad Van Liew
Sailing has evolved since the days of wooden boats and navigation by stars, but the sense of adventure still exists today. Charlestonian Brad Van Liew knows this better than most people. Le Pingouin, the sailboat he recently raced around the world to claim victory in VELUX 5 Oceans, is closer to a spaceship than an old-fashioned sailboat. Yet even with all these advances, Brad still faces the elements and the unknown every time he heads out to sea. Made of carbon fiber and titanium, Brad’s boat is designed for speed. Pure, uncompromised speed. Le Pingouin is three or four times faster than the average sailboat one sees in Charleston harbor—and three to four times more responsive. Being at the helm at such a machine is “exhilarating and fun,” according to Brad, but there are also times when he feels like he is driving a car late at night, exhausted and bobbing his head while “being doused by a cold shower.” It’s the combination of constantly being on the edge while having to rely on your equipment to stay alive that makes offshore sailing, nevermind racing solo CHARLESTONSCOUTDOORS.COM
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around the world, a sport not for the faint of heart or faith. Le Pingouin has a power-to-weight ratio similar to a windsurfer, so the boat is almost constantly planing. During his stretches at sea, Brad relies on the boat’s integrated autopilot system to keep him safe and keep the boat sailing at incredible speeds. A boat designed and built for performance, however, has no luxuries and, really, no comforts. “Unless you count my bean bag,” Brad jokes. He has no refrigerator, “The uncompromised no microwave, no design makes the boat heat—not even a very fast, responsive, and toilet. To perform rewarding,” says Brad. at its peak, a racing sailboat needs to be as light as possible. Every one of those things is heavy and, when it comes to outfitting the boat, if the item doesn’t add to the performance it doesn’t come along. His race boat is also equipped with sophisticated new hydrogenerators from a company in France. When comparing some of the technologies used in this circumnavigation with his earlier ones, Brad says, “I’d say power generation is the biggest
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LOWCOUNTRY ACTIVE LIVING
area of advancement. Renewable energy is big in my small world of ocean racing and for the whole planet.” These small, low-drag propellers are trailed behind the boat and feed it with electricity—crucial to keeping the autopilots and computers powered. Wind powers the boat, and the boat’s motion powers the electronics that keep him going. No smelly diesel fumes here. Le Pingouin races in a class called the Eco 60, and it’s that message, the promotion of the ocean environment, that interested him. “Circling the globe three times and being in some of the most remote places on Earth,” Brad says, “I am a witness to many changes happening in our world. From sea
life to birds and the coasts, vast changes abound.” By refitting and recycling an older boat to race in the Eco 60 class, one can have a very high performance machine for an affordable price. The carbon footprint of a modern single-handed racing sailboat, made as it is from carbon fiber, is enormous. This contradiction is offset by the boat’s propulsion: wind—always available, perpetually renewable, and historically well charted. Unlike the adventurers of the past who sailed off to sea not to be heard from for months or years, Brad enjoys the luxuries modern advances afford him, such as access to email and nearly constant communications with the shore—a convenience that shrinks, however slightly, the often remote world around him. The story of the race can be told as it unfolds and not in hindsight. And now that the competitors know where the others are, the race is against each other rather than against the more abstract concept of elapsed time. It is against this background that Brad Van Liew heads out to sea. The contradictions of ultra modern technology versus primitive living conditions, networked communications versus lonely isolation at the ends of the world, peak performance versus constant exhaustion, and the modern disposable culture versus the renewable, environmentally conscious mindset. They all come together right here. Consider that 2,700 people have reached the summit of Mount Everest, but only 180 people have sailed around the world alone. Brad Van Liew is one of them, and he’s done it three times.
CHARLESTONSCOUTDOORS.COM
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food Holistic Chef Ken Immer Founder/COO gRAWnola
Welcome to Chef Ken’s Kitchen!
Where we invite you to explore the culinary world through his eyes.
An accomplished chef from Johnson & Wales, Ken Immer has graced Charleston’s finest restaurants with his innovative skills for more than a decade. But these days, his fastpaced lifestyle has been transformed to one that allows him to hold a yoga mat in one hand and a green Juice in the other. Quickly, he is becoming one of Charleston’s most sought-after food educators as well as an entrepreneur.
Curried Coconut Quinoa With Roasted Sweet Potatoes and gRAWnola Ingredients
1 sweet potato, medium size, peeled and diced into 1- to 2-inch pieces 2 1/2 teaspoons unrefined sesame oil, divided use Freshly ground black pepper 1/2 cup medium diced red onion 2 teaspoons extra virgin coconut oil 1 tablespoon curry powder, Garam Masala 1 cup sprouted quinoa (recipe follows) 1 (13.5-ounce) can coconut milk 1 1/2 tablespoons umeboshi plum vinegar (see cook’s note) 1 cup gRAWnola nuggets
Directions Cook’s note: Umeboshi vinegar is a byproduct produced when umeboshi (Japanese pickled plums) is made. Technically, it is not classified as a vinegar because it contains salt, but it is a good substitute for vinegar and salt in any recipe. It has a light, citric flavor and lends itself well to salad dressings and steamed vegetables. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Toss sweet potatoes with 1/2 teaspoon of the sesame oil and black pepper to taste and place in roasting pan or on cookie sheet. Roast potato pieces until well-browned, about 18 minutes. (A hot oven is important so they will not mush, but rather caramelize and get a bit crispy.)
While sweet potatoes are roasting, sauté onion in the remaining 2 teaspoons sesame oil and the coconut oil in a small sauce pan. Cook the onion over medium-high heat until translucent and beginning to brown. Add the curry powder, lower heat to medium-low, and allow flavors of the curry to develop for about 3 minutes. Add coconut milk and sprouted quinoa (recipe follows), and raise heat to high to bring to a boil. When boil is reached, lower heat to low and cover the pan. Allow to simmer for about 12 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat and allow to rest for about 2 minutes. Add umeboshi vinegar and gRAWnola. Sweet potatoes will likely be finished as the quinoa is finished cooking. Remove them from the oven, allow to cool for about 2 minutes, then add them to the quinoa and mix well. Serve immediately.
Eating on the Edge by Jennifer Heisler
How does a meat and potatoes man like Brad Van Liew survive weeks alone on the ocean? With the help of Chef Ken Immer, founder of gRAWnola. Because solo offshore racing is such a brutal sport, Brad had to stay well nourished during the around-the-world race. That’s why he turned to Ken and Charleston-based gRAWnola for help. Ken and his team provided Brad with gRAWnola products and showed him easy ways to improve his diet to maintain peak performance—not just while sailing, but also back on shore. “Brad’s trip around the world using gRAWnola as a staple proves that for any extreme athlete, it can be a vital part of not only survival, but success,” says Ken. Brad found that gRAWnola Bars were a great solution for his long days on deck. He can easily stick some of these nutrient-dense granola bars into the pockets of his foul-weather gear to eat on deck while he sails. “gRAWnola allows whole foods to be taken with you so that you know your nutritional requirements are being met while you are enjoying the great taste of a crunchy snack,” explains Ken. In addition to granola, Brad eats dehydrated meals—which require rehydration and preparation—and some canned foods when he’s ocean racing. The gRAWnola bars provide him with the energy to keep racing and the fiber to keep his insides happy while sailing 30,000 miles to victory…or around the buoys in Charleston harbor. Brad says of his choices in food, “It has to taste good enough that after your 50th or 60th bar, you’ll still eat it.” And as evidenced by the number of empty gRAWnola wrappers tucked away in his cargo pockets at the end of each leg of the Velux 5 Oceans, the bars are that delicious.
biking
Discovering Hidden Trails story by Katie Zimmerman - photos by Terrence C Larimer
Working for the Coastal Conservation League (CCL), I am lucky enough to spend my days helping to conserve the Lowcountry’s natural resources and sense of place. It’s probably the coolest job in the world, and it allows me the opportunity to work with passionate people in urban and rural settings.
Even if you don’t get to work for an environmental nonprofit, you can still fall in love with Charleston just by enjoying a bike ride—it doesn’t matter if you have a svelte road bike, a sturdy mountain bike, or a sweet little beach cruiser. Nor does it matter if you want to take an adventurous sight-seeing trek to spice up your Saturday, or if you simply want a decent cycle home from work. The Holy City and her surrounding environs can offer you a happy and often unique journey. I am a road bike enthusiast, though most of my rides have been commutes. When I heard about the Marrington Plantation trails at the Naval Weapons Station, I realized investigation would be a must. After a quick search, I learned that Marrington is 1,600 acres of woods with 20 plus miles of hiking and biking trails, all located on a former rice plantation. Those of you with mountain and hybrid bikes must love this place! 16
LOWCOUNTRY ACTIVE LIVING
Don Watts is the natural resources technician who maintains the trails for the Joint Base Charleston Weapons Station. He lists bobcats and alligators as possible wildlife to see while biking there, and says his favorite spots are old brick-making sites left over from plantation operation. I wanted to know what keeps bicyclists returning to the Marrington Plantation trails, which Watts is proud to say is one of the top three places to ride in South Carolina—he points out that the “trail is maintained and kept in top shape” and that “many of the riders also volunteer time to keep it” that way. Bicycling volunteerism at its finest! He also mentions that a Charleston trail enthusiast would not find anything comparable to Marrington within 100 miles. My friend and neighbor Jennifer Dare can attest to Marrington’s draw. She is a seasoned mountain biker, who learned in Park City, Utah and practiced a great deal in Oregon and the Bay Area
of California. She points out that Marrington is an excellent option for people who don’t get on road bikes, particularly as the trails wind along creeks, marshes, and forests with few, if any, glimpses of modern buildings and roads. Dare also compliments the work of Watts and others: “The trail is well maintained and, although I know that it is well-used, I rarely see anyone else out there. I love that there are a few spots with vertical change, too—I was surprised to see that at all in this area. And since there aren’t any challenging mountain biking trails around, it’s great that they created some fun technical challenges along the way.”
and it is usually a commute. Before working for CCL, my bicycle commute consisted of a 20-mile round trip between West Ashley and North Charleston, through Hampton Park downtown. A bit stressful at first, it became quite enjoyable as I rode through neighborhoods, gazed at egrets in the marsh, and delighted in the sights of both home and community gardens in North Charleston neighborhoods off of Spruill Avenue. The view from a bike, I believe, is ultimately the best as it connects you with people and places of the Lowcountry without the pesky bulk of a car. I highly recommend hopping on whatever type of cycle you have and starting your journey.
As I mentioned earlier, I typically cycle on the road CHARLESTONSCOUTDOORS.COM
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Forerunner 310XT The rugged Forerunner 310XT is the triathlete's indispensable training tool — a GPS-enabled trainer that is water-resistant to 164 ft (50 m), tracks data in multiple sport modes and sends it wirelessly to your computer. This multi-sport device has up to 20 hours of battery life, tracks distance, pace and heart rate on land, and goes from wrist to bike in seconds. Charleston Bicycle Company $349.99
GIRO Advantage 2 Helmet This is the time trial helmet of choice for great champions like Lance Armstrong, Alberto Contador, Levi Leipheimer, Dave Zabriskie, and David Millar. Wind tunnel testing proves why it is so popular— Advantage 2 represents the pinnacle of aerodynamic performance, fit, and ventilation. Advantage 2 is the ultimate helmet to wear when every thousandth of a second counts, from prestigious prologues at le Tour to ultra distance triathlons. Charleston Bicycle Company $160
Cervelo P3 2011 Ultegra Carbon Triathlon Bike Cervelo's P3 is the most successful triathlon and time trial bike in the industry. It is the most used bike at Ironman racing and time trialing everand by 'regular' customers. No wonder it is still the reference for the entire bike industry, and the most copied bike in history. Charleston Bicycle Company $3600
gear by Nicole Pettinelli
Aqua Sphere Vista Clear Lens Goggles The Vista features the best in Aqua Sphere aquatic technology. With a comfortable, leak resistant skirt and a contoured, stylized frame, the Vista has an extremely low profile that virtually eliminates the drag experienced with other swimming masks. The crystal clear wraparound lens of the Vista also provides 180-degree visibility. Charleston Bicycle Company $40
2XU 2011 Women's Active Triathlon Short Premium triathlon engineering comes together in this Active Tri Short featuring 2XU’s new SBR NEO SKIN fabric utilizing CreoraŽ elastane yarn for comfort and durability. Fast in the water, quick dry on land and unparalleled moisture management for the bike/run, this garment will facilitate your finest race day performance. Extras include high filament fleece for the bike and 50+ UV protection from the sun. Charleston Bicycle Company $60
Sidi T2.6 Carbon Lite Road Bike Triathlon Shoes The Carbon Lite Sole is constructed to provide a slight amount of flex in the toe while retaining excellent stiffness throughout the body of the shoe. The sole is engineered for the highperformance, high-mileage cyclist who requires a sole that is rigid but does not compromise the foot's blood circulation, guaranteeing comfort, foot health and great power transfer. Charleston Bicylcle Company $299.99
PoNieS + Polo = PaRty Photo by Marie Rodriguez
Sunday Nov. 6, 2011
It’s a guaranteed good time when you bring your family and friends to the McDaniels Audi Fall Polo Classic on Sunday, November 6 at beautiful Hyde Park Farm & Polo Club. Reserve a tent and throw your own party (act fast, spaces are limited), or gather your gang for a tailgating get-together, or just stroll the grounds and watch the fast-paced action. Enjoy live music, with food and beverages offered by local vendors.
Gate opens at 1 p.m. Match begins at 3 p.m. General Admission $12. Kids age 10 and under free. Free parking.
Combine the hoof-pounding excitement of polo with a perfect party setting, and you have the ideal formula for a truly fun afternoon.
Register to win your own reserved tailgating spot and 4 tickets.
Just send your name and email address to win@hydeparkpoloclub. com. We’ll also send you a coupon good for $2 off on general admission tickets, just for entering. Want to learn to play polo or sharpen your skills? Hyde Park Farm offers lessons and equipment for all skill levels. Plus it’s a great place for weddings, parties and special events.
6763 Davis Road • Ravenel, SC 29470 Complete details at www.hydeparkpoloclub.com 843-571-3431 Rain date: November 13 Participating Sponsors: Snyder Event Rentals Social Lite by Bliss Charleston Magazine
Time to WAKE Up Charleston Welcomes World Class Cable Wakeboarding Facility story by Adam Burris photos by Jason Benjamin & Daniel Casey
13 world slalom skiing records, 22 water skiing records set for federations of foreign countries, and innumerous personal bests. These accomplishments belong only to the Lowcountry’s favorite watersports destination— Trophy Lakes.
wakeboard
Situated on beautiful Johns Island, only seven and a half miles from downtown Charleston, Trophy Lakes is the place to learn to water ski, slalom ski, and wakeboard. . If you already consider yourself proficient in one or more of these watersports, don’t scoff at the opportunity to improve upon your skills, as all levels of skiers and wakeboarders will benefit from excellent instruction from some of the very best watersports coaches in the world. Take advantage of riding behind a world-class MasterCraft boat on one of the two fresh water lakes designed specifically for optimum water skiing conditions. A pull from one of these Tournament Series MasterCrafts is waterskiing’s equivalent to filet mignon as compared to the SPAM-feast that is being towed by a center console fishing boat. Along with its decorated past, a bright future can be expected for Trophy Lakes. Despite Charleston’s love of aquatic activities, wakeboarding has been surprisingly slow to take off, and Trophy Lakes aims to change that with the addition of a closed-course cable park. Essentially, these parks allow the wakeboarder to be pulled by an overhead electrically driven
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LOWCOUNTRY ACTIVE LIVING
cable rather than by a boat. Matt DuBon has dreamed of bringing cable wakeboarding to Charleston ever since he took the helm as general manager of Trophy Lakes in 2008. Cables offer a completely unique riding experience for all ages and experience levels, as well as being environmentally friendly, quiet, and energy efficient. The overhead pull allows riders to cut at harder angles and launch into bigger airs. In late summer of 2011, Trophy Lakes will debut three dual mast cable systems that, along with the acclaimed MasterCraft boats, will put the ultimate watersports playground right in our own backyard. While cable parks are quite prevalent in Europe, cable presence in the United States is limited, with only about 30…the nearest of which being six hours away in Orlando, FL. Wakeboarding enthusiasts will travel great distances to ride at cable parks—great news for Charleston tourism, as it will give adventure travelers yet another reason to visit our beautiful city.
Matt and the crew at Trophy Lakes knew that they could not just take an “if you build it they will come” approach to their aspiration for cable park greatness. They knew the watersports scene in the Lowcountry needed to be established before taking on such a laborand resource- intensive endeavor. WakeFest was conceived to do just that. Held the last Saturday of each month, WakeFest features live music, food, and beverages, and the event encourages riders of all abilities. The tagline, “It’s not a competition, it’s a festival,” means all levels of If your personality is suited wakeboarders are to a more laid-back style of invited and encouraged recreation, Trophy Lakes is home to participate.
to the greater Charleston area’s premier Disc Golf Course and the Charleston Disc Golf Club. It’s only natural that Trophy Lakes should feature a Disc Golf Course, as the beautiful resortstyle setting will make you feel as if you have stumbled upon your own outdoor paradise, even though you’re only minutes from downtown. The course is equipped with 35 concrete tee pads spread out over 18 holes, and is open 365 days a year. Trophy Lakes Disc Golf Course has grown into one of the country’s most popular disc golf destinations, and the beautifully wooded course features a variety of tee and pin locations as well as a few water holes, which will surely keep you on your toes. Trophy Lakes Pro Shop offers a huge selection of the industry’s best discs from Innova and Discraft, as well as used discs for only $5. It only costs $5 to play all day, or you can play for free with the purchase of two discs. Saturday is “lady’s day” and all female disc golfers play for free!
WakeFest is all about coming out and having fun on the water. There are prizes given away for categories ranging from “Best Trick” to “Best Wipeout” to “Best Effort” in order to make it fun for the rider working on his first wake jump, as well as the rider who throws effortless inverted spinning aerial maneuvers (see “Whirlybird” or “Pete Rose” on YouTube). The event has allowed Trophy Lakes to build Charleston’s wakeboarding scene, as well as build new on-water features such as sliders and ramps to continue to be at the leading edge of the sport. Resurrecting the College of Charleston’s Watersports Club was the next step in developing a wakeboarding culture in Charleston. With the help of “Cougars” Cameron Ballinger and Hunter Wilson, sophomore and freshman respectively, the Watersports Club grew exponentially, as did the sports of wakeboarding and waterskiing in the greater Charleston area. Since then, Trophy Lakes has constructed more on-water features, started a new Watersports Club at University of South Carolina, and helped College of Charleston’s Club become a force to be reckoned with in the South Atlantic Conference of Competitive Collegiate Watersports. Trophy Lakes now hosts the Conference’s season opener for both the spring and fall seasons, during which watersports teams from across the southeast travel to compete and create new bonds. Now that Trophy Lakes has intrinsically created a wakeboarding and watersports scene in Charleston, DuBon can finally actualize his vision for South Carolina’s only cable park. After years of research and hard work, installation of the second longest two-mast cable system in the world is currently underway at Trophy Lakes. The cables are operated by an eight horsepower electric motor, which
is controlled by a handheld remote that gives the operator the ability to adjust speed via a throttle, control forward and reverse gears, and even an “auto-pilot” feature which is specifically programmed for each application. The longest cable will span 800 feet and will serve as the most advanced run with the most challenging obstacles. The intermediate cable will span 600 feet and the beginner 400 feet, each with its own features specifically designed for its ability-based application. The intermediate and advanced runs will boast features unique and unknown to the cable world. Trophy Lakes is cognizant that the sport
is constantly evolving and their park will strive to be a driving force for a new era of evolution. Trophy Lakes has no intention of slowing down after the two-mast cable systems are erect and operational; in fact, they have a very “big picture” for the future. Next on the to-do list is the development of two additional circular cable systems on the presently unutilized third lake. These circular cable systems will operate in opposing directions, providing regular and goofy footers alike an infinite ride. Construction of these circular systems will once again emphasize Trophy Lakes’ spot on the map, making their cable park one of the top three largest in the world. They also aim to build on-site housing in order to offer weekly camps in addition to the children’s day camps, which are presently available. Whether you’re working on running a pass at 38-feet off, you’re trying to land that first wakeboard invert (a trick requiring the rider to be upside down in the air), or you’ve never gotten up on two skis, the staff at Trophy Lakes will provide you the necessary tools and instruction to progress your riding to the next level. Don’t miss the pro shop for a chance to check out all the latest and greatest watersports equipment, as well as myriad markdowns, demos, and factory-blemished gear available at bargain prices. Lowcountry outdoors enthusiasts, action sports fanatics, and exercise aficionados should take advantage of the unique opportunity to get on the water at Trophy Lakes. Waterskiing and wakeboarding, whether behind a boat or pulled by cable, offer a fantastic full body workout in a much more relaxing and beautiful atmosphere than the gym. Trophy Lakes is also a great place for the kids; there’s no more sure-fire method of spotting an ear-to-ear grin than watching your child get up on a wakeboard for the first time. For more information on Trophy Lakes’ products, services, and offerings, feel free to give them a call at 843-559-2520 or visit them on the web at trophylakes.com. Trophy Lakes is located at 3050 Marlin Rd, Johns Island, SC 29455. CHARLESTONSCOUTDOORS.COM
23
race for the cure
The Team that Leads the Race story by Elaine Hursen photos provided by Susan G. Komen Foundation
“We can get you to the right people,” says Michelle Reza, the fund development manager for Komen for the Cure of the Lowcountry. This independent affiliate of the national Komen for the Cure is a gateway to the needed resources among uninsured and underinsured men and women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, have reason to think they might be, or need preventive care like mammograms. However many steps a potential survivor ends up having to take, calling Komen is a good first one. The most rewarding part of Reza’s job? Getting to see her work “in action.” Because the Lowcountry Komen affiliate gives up to 75-percent of their funds as grants to eligible non-profit breast health service providers in the local region, when someone calls looking for help, Reza has the right resources at her fingertips. (The other 25-percent goes to the national level.) Just this year, over $550,000 in grants for services has been given out—totaling over four million since Lowcountry Komen’s inception. Putting on their 18th Race for the Cure (on October 15, 2011) are a mere four full-time staff members, working out of an office space donated by Trident Health System. Between the efforts of these four staffers and over a thousand volunteers per year,
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LOWCOUNTRY ACTIVE LIVING
the race on Daniel Island has grown to over twelve thousand walkers and runners, and too many business sponsors to list here. The vision and commitment of the founding group of volunteers can still be seen and felt today. Supporters have always done whatever was needed for the greater good of the organization, no matter how small the task. Local healthcare lawyer Marshall Allen has been both the board president and the secretary taking meeting notes. “Any contributions I made were well worth it,” he says, speaking of the early days. The very first Lowcountry Race “was cold and rainy, but everybody was out,” Allen remarks. The initial board did the “best we could,” but the growth of the event meant there was simply too much for them to do. When the national Komen for the Cure was restructured ten years ago, Lowcountry hired their first Executive Director, Taffy Tamblyn, and it was the “best decision they ever made” according to Allen, who still runs the Race every year, often with his mother, a survivor herself. Once a friend of Komen, always a friend of Komen. Driving the affiliate’s growth today, along with Tamblyn and Reza, are Education Outreach Coordinator Lucy Spears and Affiliate Coordinator Lisa Jones. With Tamblyn at the helm, one of their top
events to raise money for Komen, but only about 10-percent of direct volunteers are men. Tamblyn in particular wants to know “where the men are.” Not just for help with the heavy-lifting, but so they can receive help, too. More men are coming forward for diagnosis and treatment than have in the past, but Tamblyn urges men to challenge each other to step forward. Not making it any easier are programs like Medicaid that don’t yet recognize the universality of the disease. Both at the institutional and the individual levels, the public needs to know that you don’t have to be “pretty in pink” to need Komen’s resources. The future of Komen Lowcountry is already in sight: They have just added four additional counties and completed a needs assessment for all seventeen served, which will guide their work for the next few years. Also thanks to the lobbying of Spears in particular, along with advocates across the state, the government program “Best Chance” received more funding to offer free breast and cervical cancer screenings in South Carolina. Also new this year, participants in the 2011 Race for the Cure will be treated to two convenient shuttle stops in Mount Pleasant and North Charleston, with food and entertainment at each, in addition to the expo at the starting line. “We’re on a roll that’s just not stopping,” Reza couldn’t help saying with a mix of nervous anticipation and grateful disbelief. Indeed, if there is anything in the Lowcountry that rolls harder and faster than the spread of cancer, it is the tireless staff and volunteers of Komen for the Cure. You can learn more about the organization, register for the Race, and volunteer for just a few hours or the whole year at komenlowcountry.org. Talk to someone about breast health resources available in the Lowcountry at 843-556-3343.
priorities is remaining worthy of Komen’s “most trusted non-profit” honor with fiscal responsibility and transparency. On the slower side in terms of growth is the participation of men. Men ranging from chefs to firefighters have held third-party
Bridge Ride 2011 Sept Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park
17th
Fundraiser Helps Support ECCO Dental Clinic And Provide Free Dental Services to Tri-County Residents
To register for the event, visit Active.com. Registration fee for the cycling and spinning portion of the event is $25; CX30 class is free.
Triathlon Take
On
tips to help you trump the competition story by Caroline Kraich
10 Tips for Getting Ahead as a Newbie 10 - Buy a comfortable race outfit: Investing in a fitted race outfit that can be worn for the entirety of the race can reduce transition time by 5 minutes. 9 - Use Aerobars: Aerobars can enhance your aerodynamic profile by positioning your body in a more streamline form. As a result, bike times can be reduced greatly.
8 - Seek Professional Advice: Finding a coach or investing in a training plan can help prepare you for the unseen obstacles. 7 - Plan Precisely: Tailor your racing plan of action to a tee. For example, placing your goggle straps underneath your swim cap will keep them secure in case there is a collision with another swimmer. 6 - Execute a Nutritional Race Routine: Find a prerace food that works best for you. Anything from an energy bar to a ritualistic uncrusted peanut butter and jelly sandwich can suffice. 5 - Visualize Victory: Practice 15 minute visualizations a few weeks prior to your race. Picture yourself running, stroking, taking off gear during a transition, strapping on your helmet, etc. Once it is race time you will be well rehearsed and prepared mentally.
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LOWCOUNTRY ACTIVE LIVING
4 - Make a Mantra: Creating your own personalized mantra will help you push through your most difficult racing challenges. For example, chanting personally meaningful words such as “stroke, pedal, and push it” may help motivate you during race time. 3 - Write Down Your Goals. Everywhere: Place your goal PR times anywhere and everywhere. Put post-its on the refrigerator when you’re about to reach for that unnecessary late night snack, or on the television when you are at a loss of motivation. People who write down their goals are 4 times more likely to achieve them. 2 - Consider PEDs: Simple legal performance enhancing drugs such as Advil, Tylenol and Motrin can help numb pain during your race, while also reducing swelling of the joints.
1 - Lose
Weight: Achieving an op-
timal lean weight can greatly improve your racing ability. Eating less, exercising more, and maintaining your goal weight is essential.
VO2
Measuring your VO2 max is essential for optimum performance in competitions. Your ability to transport and store oxygen in the body reflects one’s personal physical fitness. o The higher one’s VO2 max, the greater your potential performance during race time. o The VO2 max for an average triathlete is 50 (ml/kg/min). o The highest ever recorded VO2 max is 94 ml/kg/min in men and 77 ml/kg/min in women, both were cross country skiers.
MEN Age
65+ 56-65
Ironman 70.3 Pucon Location: Pucon, Chile As one of the safest destinations in the world, Pucon offers a variety of diverse scenery such as the crystal blue waters of Lake Villarrica and sights of the grand active volcano that stands behind her.
46-55 36-45 26-35
Ironman 70.3 St. Croix
18-25 20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60+
VO2
WOMEN Age
65+
Location: St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands St. Croix is the largest of the 50 Virgin Islands and hosts some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. With sunny skies and comfortably warm temperatures year round this island makes an ideal vacation out of your race experience.
56-65 46-55 36-45 26-35
Challenge Wanaka
18-25 20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60+
VO2
Race Escapes From running around bases of volcanoes, to swimming the waters of the Caribbean, these destination Triathlon locations are some of the most scenic in the world.
Location: Lake Wanaka, New Zealand Challenge Wanaka proves to be one of the most difficult, yet beautifully remote races globally. The vast blue lakes lain across the base of scattered alpine mountains create a breathtaking vision that is unique to New Zealand.
CHARLESTONSCOUTDOORS.COM
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Quiz Test your triathlon knowledge here and see how prepared you are for your next race. 1) What distance is the longest type of event? a. b. c. d.
Half Ironman Olympic Mini Sprint
Answer: Half Ironman: This race is composed of a 1.9 km swim, 90 km ride, and a 21.1 km run. It is trumped in distance only by the Ironman.
2) According to the USAT (USA Triathlon) rules, what item must you have to compete in a triathlon? a. b. c. d.
Permanent membership card Road or triathlon bike Goggles Helmet
Answer: Helmet: In article 5, section 9, of the USA Triathlon rules, all participants must wear a protective covering on their heads.
3) It is always better to train with others when preparing for a triathlon. True False
Apps to Optimize
your Triathlon Training: These great apps help log your personal distances and times for athletes at all levels.
Triathlon and Marathon Training with ontri.com ($4.99)
TriTrainer by JammyCo ($6.99)
Answer: False: For a seasoned triathlon athlete, it is recommended that one train on their own to ensure that their personal goals are met in preparation to race.
4) What was the heaviest weight of a triathlon winner? a. b. c. d.
160 lbs 175 lbs 200 lbs 215 lbs
Answer: 175 lbs: Athlete Chris “Macca� McCormack weighed in at 175 lbs when he won the Hawaii Ironman World Championship in 2007. McCormack is proof that a naturally slight frame does not always guarantee an advantage.
5) You should always try to start in the front of your wave, no matter how good or bad of a swimmer you are. True False
Answer: False: Finding your place during the beginning of a race is essential. If you mistakenly start in the front of the wave when your place is further back, you might be lost in the chaotic cluster and may cause potential problems for other athletes as well as yourself.
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LOWCOUNTRY ACTIVE LIVING
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Hailing A Ride photos & story by Stefan Rogenmaser
It’s a summer day and a diverse mix of people are hailing a ride on the Charleston Water Taxi, an aquatic adventure of extreme comfort and ease that takes patrons across the Charleston Harbor between the Peninsula and Mount Pleasant.
the other.” Co-owners and Captains Paul “Chip” Deaton and Scott Connelly say the taxi’s four stroke engines are incredibly efficient and pollute far less than common two-stroke engines. The taxi keeps cars off the road: Runners, joggers, and bicyclists never have more than a mile between the foot of the bridge and the water taxi’s stops at Patriots Point and at the Aquarium Wharf on the peninsula, Deaton says. “If you get off at one stop and walk across the bridge to another stop, it’s about a fourmile loop,” Deaton says. “That’s real popular with locals walking, biking, or jogging.”
Captain Paul “Chip” Deaton gently eases the 40-foot taxi out to the open freedom of the harbor. Kids put their elbows on the ledge and lean over to look down at water that is constantly splashing; the wind blows back their hair as if they’re on a motorcycle, and giggles ensue. It’s a taxi ride like no other. The boat has a flat, open deck and a canopy casts shade onto about two-thirds of it while the sun bakes the bow. Its primary function is mass transit by water. Passengers can walk from one end to the other while in motion without disturbing anyone. Primary taxi Charleston Water Taxi co-owners Capt. Paul “Chip” Deaton (left) and Scott Connelly have run the water taxi for nearly six years.
The Charleston Water Taxi stops at the Charleston Maritime Center once every hour between 9:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Miss Evelyn—named after Deaton’s grandmother—holds 49 passengers, who are allowed to bring bicycles, food, and beverages of any sort…a sunset cruise with friends comes to mind. It’s a new way of seeing Charleston, even for those who have called the Holy City home their entire lives. It’s also a relaxing way to go downtown and skip the hassle of driving and parking on Charleston’s many one-way streets. Chris Sykora, head deckhand, says, “One boat trip across with 49 passengers onboard uses less fuel than most cars would getting from one side of the Ravenel to 30
LOWCOUNTRY ACTIVE LIVING
After everyone is done getting fit for the day, they can sit back and cool off on the taxi. From the water they can watch specks of other joggers cross the bridge they were just on. Or they can spot dolphins in the water. “Once we add another stop, it’s going to be key to getting the locals to ride. They’re coming “It’ll be real nice when we around. I expand our stops and more look forward to commuter people can walk the bridge and routes. It’s enjoy the ride back,” Deaton right around says. the corner.” About 30 percent of business comes from locals, according to Deaton. Connelly says there will be a Shem Creek stop later this year and hopes to add stops off Waterfront Park near the Market and on Daniel Island within two years. While tourists from “off” and “far off” seem to dominate the clientele, there are regulars like Kelly Holmes of Mount Pleasant, who rides anywhere from two to four times a month after running the bridge. “It’s always a treat after you’ve been exercising to sit down,” Holmes says. She sometimes takes the water taxi to eat lunch downtown.
Holmes walks 45 minutes from her home to the marina. Her husband Jay Holmes rides about half as much. Taking their 18-month-old son “Captain” Will on board is never a problem as the crew always helps load the stroller. Like any taxi, this one helps keep drunk drivers off the roads. The taxi runs 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and until 10 p.m. weekends. An all-day pass is $10 per person (age 4 and up) and a one-way pass is $6. The taxi departs the Charleston Harbor Resort Marina and Patriots Point at the top of every hour and leaves the downtown Aquarium Wharf (a block south of the Aquarium) at the bottom of the hour. The “People with kids have company’s smaller figured out this is a lot vessel Dorothy easier and faster than Marie—named after Connelly’s a harbor tour.” Deaton grandmother— requires reservations says. and takes up to six passengers. There should be two more boats in the fleet by Summer 2012 so taxis can leave each location every half hour, Connelly says.
Justin Morris
Photography Prints- Ac tion S ho tsPortraits follyhood.blogspot.com 843 - 327 - 7 703 fo llyh ood@ gm ail.c om
The Aquarium is half a block from the Maritime Center and Market Street is only a 15-minute walk. From there anyone can ride on CARTA’s free DASH buses, Deaton says. The bridge is one of many landmarks visible from the water. Others include Castle Pinckney, Fort Sumter, the steeple-filled Charleston skyline, the Battery, the Aquarium, and the USS Yorktown, where the taxi also stops as passengers gaze at its towering stern. Dolphins stick their fins and blowholes above the surface, and Deaton slows the engines to an idle so passengers can get a closer, longer look at them playing. Cameras snap photos in rapid succession. Before Charleston Water Taxi came to fruition, Chip and Scott developed a business plan and went to every bank twice and received a lot of no’s, Connelly says. “We were persistent,” he adds. However long they may have struggled then, there is no sign of weariness in their faces now since establishing the business in 2005. “It’s very rewarding. Every day is completely different…different people, different conditions. This was our calling.” For more information, visit charlestonwatertaxi.com or find them on Facebook.
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Join our quest to support the brave men and women who were injured while protecting our freedom. Together, we can help them realize new possibilities and build a stronger future for themselves and their families.
Friends of the Semper Fi Fund
First Annual Lowcountry Golf Tournament Rivertowne Country Club, Mount Pleasant SC
3 Hole-in-One Challenges:
Oct 10th-11th 843-849-1367
www.SemperFiFund.org infoSemperFiGolf@gmail.com
Chance to win a Mercedes provided by Baker Motors or a Corvette provided by Hendrick Chevrolet or a Boat provided by Sea Ray of Charleston
Executive Committee Includes: James E Livingston, Maj Gen, USMC (Ret) Duane B. Perry, Lt Col, USMC (Ret)
facebook.com/FriendsoftheSemperFiFundLowcountryGolfTournament