What is the big “O”?

Lots of folks have asked what the big “O” means on the Maelstrom kayaks. Mary Ross has decided to get started on her big (4-0) birthday early (it’s not until September 2011!) with the help of her Vital! But don’t tell her I gave away a Southern lady’s age, or I’ll be Yankee mince-meat!

Winter Paddling

This time of year most people put their kayaks up for the winter and start waiting and hoping for warmer weather. For me it's one of my favorite times to paddle. There is very little boat traffic, the water is clear and its invigorating to paddle on a cold crisp day. My girlfriend Debbie and I went out just a couple of days ago and saw dolphins, scores of birds and nobody else except for one lone crab boat making its rounds. What a terrific day!

This doesn't mean you should be unprepared, however, with the water temperature hovering between 45 and 48 degrees, and the air temperature in the 40 to 50 degree range, it can be dangerous — even life threatening. Check out this cold water effects chart for more information.

Please make sure you dress appropriately with synthetic clothing. I use a three-layer approach with a tight fitting breathable base layer, a mid-weight insulating layer and a breathable weatherproof outer shell.

So don't let the cold weather stop your fun: dress correctly, take a warm drink, and extra clothes, then get out there and enjoy this awesome time of the year. See you on the water soon

—William

Day 3 — Morning Update

In the morning light our paddlers decided that your CAN go home again. They will be paddling back to the Folly landing, delaying just enough for the outgoing tide in the Stono inlet to let up.

A MeetUp paddle has been scheduled for those who might like to meet them near Bird Key and escort them home.

I'll be there!

-Steve

Day 2 — Part 2: Groundhog Day?

It’s Not the Destination…It’s the Journey.

Back to where they once belonged. If you were following our paddlers on the GPS Spot, you may have noticed an unusual...U-turn.

That double track shows our intrepid adventurers returning to their Friday night campsite (and it bears mentioning again that this is a privately arranged camping spot not generally open to the public).

A phone call from Scott explains the situation: after a fine paddle south across Edisto’s beaches — complete with some play in the surf — our group found that their intended Saturday night camping spot was 1) a long [150+ yards] portage away from the beach, and 2) a hard-packed gravel strewn campsite between two RVs. Feeling fresh, and with fond memories of their first night’s camping experience, the group took a vote (reportedly Paul Bryan lost) and decided to make the return paddle and spend another night at their first pleasantly water-side campsite.

And what will Sunday bring? Plans are a bit up in the air. Our plucky paddlers with either enjoy some Deveaux-area surf play and arrange to take out at Cherry Point… Or they will tackle the longer haul back across Kiawah and into their starting spot on the Folly River.

Which will they choose?

How will it end?

Tune in again tomorrow for the ongoing story. And be sure to drink your Ovaltine.

-Steve

Folly to Hunting Island: Day 2 — Part 1

For paddlers who regularly set out on multi-day expeditions, a jaunt down the SC coast from Folly to Hunting Island might be fairly routine — but for a bunch of sea kayakers who aren’t used to packing their boats OR paddling 20 miles at a stretch... Well, let’s just say that this trip has generated a little excitement on and off the water.

Are you following our group’s progress online with Paul Shaw’s Spot GPS [no longer available] live tracking?

If you’re surprised that the Edisto Island route seems to have taken an unplanned inland path—

—rest assured that they are, in fact, just sticking to the front beach. To get a better view of things, click on the satellite view on the Spot/Google map:

From the start, day two has been planned as the shortest paddling day. William’s best guess was that folks would use some of the leisure time built into the schedule to indulge in some surf play along Edisto’s front beach.

They certainly have a great day for it weather-wise. Stay tuned for more photos and updates — if the battery in Scott’s iPhone holds up.

-Steve

Folly to Hunting Island: Day 1

So. This morning, promptly at 10 a.m., five boats with six paddlers — William Seabrook, Scott Szczepaniak, Mary Ross McQuage, Joe Salmonowicz, Paul Shaw and Paul Bryan — set off from the Folly boat landing. This is day one of a three day trip which will take them some 46 nautical miles south to Hunting Island:

See the trip plan at Google maps.

Seeing the group off were friends and family — Will Hewett (who launched his own kayak and escorted them down the river,) Sue Kershaw, Susan Sanders, Steve Bleezarde, Kerri _______, Joe’s wife Kim and daughter Hanna, and Paul Bryan’s daughter.

Anyone interested can track the group’s progress thanks to the wonders of the internet, GPS, and a handy service at findmespot.com. Paul Shaw’s GPS is reporting the group’s location in real time:

Scott phoned in some notes after the group landed at their campsite about 4 p.m.: He reports that the trip down the Folly River was uneventful, but followed by the group breaking through 2-3 foot breaking waves along the sandbars as they rounded Bird Key Island. Fair winds and following seas sped the group to the sands of Beachwalker Park where they put in for a break. Mary Ross was reportedly disappointed to find that the restrooms are locked during the off-season. The winds were picking-up as they launched after snacks, again through 2-3 foot breaking waves, and “flew” down to the mouth of the North Edisto and across the inlet to set-up their "undisclosed, high-end, private campsite.

More technological marvels, Scott was able to email a few Day One photos:

William: the fearless leader.

Kayaks are bigger than backpacks.

Shiny, happy people.

Wish them a warm night! More details tomorrow.

-Steve

Folly Beach to Rockville: Birding Along the Way

So, yes: It was a long day. Seven hours from put-in to take-out and six hours of paddling.

Shorter to paddle than to drive... if you measure, and don't watch the clock.

And yes: I was one of the first to start griping about aches and pains. Some folks are cut out for the long haul, and while I enjoy the sense of accomplishment from completing this long paddle, I've never been one for marathons... So, while we paddled on, I kept looking for shorter-term objectives. And the birds helped.

Mixed gatherings were common on the water, on bars, and on the beach.

From rafts of floating birds, to flyovers and sightings along the beaches and sandbars, it was a good day for birding. Highlights included Scott's first sighting of Northern Pintails among the Hooded Mergansers and Lesser Scaup, Osprey and Bald Eagles in flight, a good assortment of shorebirds, terns and gulls, and marsh favorites including the usual suspects – Great Blue Heron, Great and Snowy Egret – as well as lone Wood Stork and Northern Harrier.

With all the good birding available in the Lowcountry, it is worth remembering that getting off the beaten track can be a first step to some really great birding. Whether you're willing to take to a kayak for six hours or not is up to you. I'm glad I did: I just wish I'd packed my binoculars!

- Steve