Considered one of the top five things to do in Charleston, join us for our exhilarating daily sails or romantic sunset sails to escape the crowded streets and sweltering heat of downtown Charleston, SC. Take in the Holy City the way it was meant to be seen, from the peaceful waters of Charleston Harbor, as we mingle with dolphins, pelicans and gulls on our two hour sailing tours.

As we lift our sails the cool breeze will whisk you away to a time care forgot. Relax and sip wine or another cool beverage as we sail from the Aquarium Wharf and continue sailing past the historic Battery, towards Ft. Johnston and Ft. Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired in 1861.

Our sailing tour takes you past the USS Yorktown, the storied WWII air craft carrier docked at Patriot’s Point, and on past Castle Pinckney, Charleston’s old waterfront trading area where the walled city first developed.

Other notable Charleston attractions on this unique Charleston Sailing tour include the Arthur Ravenel Jr. suspension bridge, glimpses of Rainbow Row, and panoramic views of Charleston skyline and its many incredible churches.

Whether you’re interested in a new perspective of Charleston sightseeing, the excitement of sailing Charleston Harbor chasing the ghosts of Blackbeard the pirate, or the enjoying the elegant romance of a Charleston sunset sail, join us on the Schooner Pride today. 

The Schooner Pride, is an 84’ tall ship operating in Charleston Harbor. The Pride invokes visions of when Charelston was very prominent sailing harbor as our country developed.

Modeled to resemble the old coastal trading schooners, the Schooner Pride has all the charm and character of the great days of sail. The Pride is USCG certified for up to 49 passengers. The Pride will continue to operate from the Aquarium Wharf in Charleston and do both daily sails, and private charters.

We wanted you to know of the change in ownership, but more importantly the exciting changes in the “PRIDE”.

Many upgrades to the vessel have already been completed and more are to come. Among these are:

• More extensive offering of catering alternatives
• Refurbishment of the exterior as well as the interior cabins
• Many other upgrades to enhance your sailing experience

Our commitment is to exceed your expectations when you book with us. Our experienced crew has many years on the water serving individuals and groups interested in a truly unique experience on the spectacular harbor of one of America’s oldest cities.

We are also offering returning customers the opportunity for a 5% discount on a charter, with the date and time of your choosing, subject to availability.

An integral part of the Briar’s Creek experience is the way golf and the natural environment complement each other. There is no shortage of water, marshes, wetlands and wildlife, along with the occasional bunker, rough, and gently rolling, but quick putting surface.

Precisely designed and skillfully maintained, this Rees Jones masterpiece embraces the rich, Lowcountry landscape and vegetation of Johns Island real estate and the Kiawah River. Six sets of tees offer dramatic shots around, across and along unspoiled marsh and riverside vistas, creating a spirited, scenic challenge for golfers of every level, every time they play.

PRACTICE FACILITY: THE GOLF LODGE AND PRACTICE RANGE

With absolutely no tee times, you’re free to spend as much time as you’d like warming up on our world-class practice range and putting green. Our expert staff and golf professional are always on hand to provide a few pointers or give a full-fledged lesson at our South Carolina golf resort.

And if that doesn’t warm you up, step inside the Golf Lodge for a cup of coffee and one of our chef’s famous fresh-baked cookies. And whenever you’re ready, just head out to the first hole and tee off at your leisure.

The gardens at Magnolia Plantation are of such beauty and variety that they have brought tourists from around the world to view them since they were open to the public in the early 1870s. However, many parts of the gardens are much older, some sections more than 325 years old, making them the oldest unrestored gardens in America. As the plantation has stayed within the ownership of the same family for more than three centuries, each generation has added their own personal touch to the gardens, expanding and adding to their variety. Today there are various varieties of flowers from camellias, daffodils, to azalea’s and countless other species in bloom year round, with the climax of incredible beauty building towards the spring bloom.

We hope that you come and visit us so that you can experience how one family’s vision of creating order and beauty in an untamed new world has evolved over the centuries into the magnificent sprawling gardens that the public can enjoy today.*

*As published at Magnolia Plantation’s official website (see below)

]]> http://www.greatercharleston.com/magnolia-gardens-stands-alone/feed/ 3 http://www.greatercharleston.com/middleton-place/ http://www.greatercharleston.com/middleton-place/#comments Wed, 18 Feb 2009 07:04:46 +0000 Public http://www.greatercharleston.com/index.php/?p=3717

The development and prosperity of the Gardens changed drastically during Williams Middleton’s ownership. In signing the Ordinance of Secession, he endorsed the last Confederate cause; a failed attempt at independence that eventually led to the destruction of Middleton Place.  On February 22, 1865, a detachment of the 56th New York Volunteer Regiment burned and looted the house and gardens.  All that remained was the south dependency building, which is today the Middleton Place House Museum.

Two decades after the Civil War, during the great Charleston earthquake of 1886, Middleton Place was dealt yet another destructive blow. The Garden’s terraces were ripped open and the water in the Butterfly Lakes was sucked dry, reshaping in just minutes what had taken scores of slaves a decade to build.

The Civil War and the great earthquake of 1886 had taken its toll, and Middleton Place Gardens lay overgrown and neglected until inherited by J.J. Pringle Smith in 1916. He soon began the massive project of restoring the Gardens to their original splendor of the mid-eighteenth century. The restoration of these elegant and beautiful Gardens gained national attention, and on the occasion of the Garden’s bicentennial anniversary in 1941, The Garden Club of America awarded the Bulkley Medal to Middleton Place “in commemoration of Two Hundred Years of enduring Beauty.” Fifty years later, the International Committee on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) has heightened that distinction, naming Middleton Place one of six U.S. gardens of international importance.

In 1974, J.J. Pringle Smith’s heirs established the non-profit Middleton Place Foundation, which now owns the Middleton Place National Historic Landmark. Today, Middleton Place is a thriving restoration or eighteenth and nineteenth century plantation life. Having survived wars, earthquakes, and hurricanes, including Hurricane Hugo in September of 1989, Middleton Place remains a resilient masterpiece of landscape design and a well-preserved plantation that demonstrates two centuries of plantation life.

Middleton Place is open daily at 9:00 a.m.

The Thunderstar runs trips from mid-February until mid-December. Our captains the most experienced in the area and are fully trained and licensed by the United States Coast Guard.  We have run charters for thousands of large companies and small groups, as well as individuals.

This magnificient environment makes inshore fishing spectacular 12 Months a year. Anglers can expect the finest in inshore action, with opportunities to tangle with Red Drum, Speckled Trout, Flounder, Sheepshead, Black Drum, Ladyfish and Bluefish.

With short runs to the Jettys which enter Charleston Harbor or the numerous nearshore reefs, clients are able to tangle with Bull Reds, Spanish Mackerel, Cobia, Spadefish, Barracuda, Jack-Crevalle, Sharks and the elusive Tarpon. Catch & Release is strongly encouraged.

We offer 1/2 Day, 3/4 Day and Full Day fly-fishing and light-tackle charters on the “FIN STALKER,” a 2005 17′ Action Craft Flyfisher powered by a 2005 Evinrude 115, and the Fin Stalker II, a 26′ Center Console for those nearshore reef and offshore trips. All tackle, bait, ice and fishing licenses are included. All you need to bring is whatever you want to eat and drink. You may also want to carry sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. It is customary to tip your captain 15-20% if you are satisfied with your fishing excursion.

Every year during October and November the waters in and around Cape Lookout, North Carolina are teaming with frenzied speedsters locally known as False Albacore (Little Tunny). Fly fishing for these speedsters at this time is truly a world class fishing experience. For information on available dates and accomidations for this spectacular fishery.

Five Championship Golf Courses in South Carolina… Be a Part of the Kiawah Golf Experience…

Kiawah Island Golf Resort offers challenging golf courses and hotel vacation packages that are unmatched set in a beautiful natural setting near historic Charleston, South Carolina. Equally appealing, our villa and golf vacations provide legendary golf traditions flavored with the spirit of world-class competition.

Our golf resort packages provide unmatched play on any one of five championship golf courses designed by Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, Gary Player and Clyde Johnston.

Kiawah is proud to have hosted on The Ocean Course the 2007 Senior PGA, the 1991 Ryder Cup, the 1997 and 2003 World Cups, the 2001 UBS Cup and 2005 PGA Professional National Championship. In 2012 Kiawah Island Golf Resort will host the 94th PGA Championship, only the fourth course to host each of the PGA of America’s major championships.

We invite you to come and play one or all of our South Carolina golf courses.

The Ocean Golf Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Host of the 2012 PGA Championships, the Ocean Course offers panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean from all 18 holes. Named “#1 Golf Course in South Carolina” by Golf Digest, this course was designed by Pete Dye with easterly and westerly wind challenges in mind.

Turtle Point at Kiawah Island Golf Resort
One of Jack’s Nicklaus’ early designs and rated a near perfect 4 ½ Stars in the 2006 Golf Digest “Best Places to Play” guidebook, Turtle Point features narrow fairway corridors, small greens, strategically placed water hazards and plenty of out-of-bounds.

Osprey Point at Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Osprey Point golf course is a masterpiece in playability and variety. Featuring four large, natural lakes, fingers of saltwater marsh, and dense maritime forests, the course offers a wide variety of memorable holes, each presenting its own unique challenges and beauty.

Oak Point at Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Just steps from the Kiawah River and Haulover Creek, Oak Point offers undulating fairways, challenging greens and beautiful vistas. It’s no wonder this golf course recently received a near-perfect 4½ stars from the readers of Golf Digest magazine in their “Best Places to Play” poll.

Cougar Point at Kiawah Island Golf Resort
One of the most dramatic vistas on Kiawah Island is the middle of Cougar Point’s front nine, just along the Kiawah River. This course features a great blend of scenic challenges and was recently rated the “Golf Course of The Year”, by the South Carolina Golf Course Owners Association.

Looking for golf instruction? If you need assistance with your game, choose our Golf Learning Center for some of the best golf instruction in America. The Golf Learning Center provides state-of-the-art equipment and PGA-certified professional instruction.

Golf training packages are available and can be customized to accommodate families and business groups of any size.

The Pride is an 84 foot Tall Ship sailing in Charleston’s historic harbor. Each  sail is its own adventure. The Pride is a three-mast ship modeled after the old trading schooners that sailed up and down the coast during the great days of sail. She is comfortable with ample deck space and seating for up to 49. With the engine off and  sails full, she quietly glides along as guests enjoy the natural sounds of dolphins, gulls, wind and water, an experience that is both relaxing and romantic.

Our Daytime sails and Sunset cruises are  a favorite of tourists and locals alike. The Pride sails with the wind and tides, so there is no set course and every cruise is unique! Because we remain in the harbor, you can see all the sites of the area, but depending on the day, we get closer to some than others. The PRIDE is USCG certified for up to 49 passengers and  is docked  at the Aquarium Wharf.

Experience all the beauty of Charleston, the gem of the Palmetto State, aboard the Schooner Pride!

While it may seem odd to visit an oak tree in an area where massive oaks are common, Angel Oak is far more than the greatest oak tree in the land of oaks. It is most likely the most ancient object – living or man-made – this  side of the Rocky Mountains. At an estimated age of 1400 to 1600 years, the tree might have been reaching for sunlight 1000 years before Columbus discovered the new world, making it one of the oldest trees on the planet. Yes, there are older objects in the world, but this tree is right here, and it’s rather shocking how few locals have ever visited the appropriately named oak. We’d rattle off some stats on how large it is, but that wouldn’t help you grasp its size. It absolutely must be seen to believe, but the size is nowhere near as impressive as its age… or should we say “youth?”  A drive out to Johns Island to see Angel Oak should also be combined with a visit to Beachwalker Park on Kiawah Island or a lunch/shopping trip to Freshfields Village. To make the trip you’ll have to travel the oak-canopied masterpiece that is Bohicket Road, an historic old drive that’s populated by numerous horse ranches and small family farms – making the road one of the most scenic in Greater Charleston, and a genuine Must See. Use the map below to map your course and to get step by step driving directions to Angel Oak and Bohicket Road.

 Click here to see photos of Angel Oak in our Gallery, and be sure to try the slideshow while there!

Click Here to get encyclopedic details about Angel Oak at Wikipedia.com

There are few places where the world rarely intrudes. You have just found one of them. Edged by wide, uncrowded beaches and pristine dunes along the South Carolina coast, Seabrook is a private island resort. Resort guests and Club members enjoy two championship golf courses, a tennis center, horseback riding, a fitness center, marina and many other world-class amenities. Yet, despite its peaceful seclusion, Seabrook Island is conveniently located just 30 minutes from all the charms of Charleston.

What makes our golf paradise unique? Uncrowded playing conditions, and 36 holes of championship golf played on challenging and uniquely different courses. Unlike all other Charleston area golf resorts, Seabrook’s courses are not open to the public. This privacy ensures resort guests a refreshing pace of play, available reply rounds and superb service. Both courses will exceed your expectations in beautiful, undisturbed natural surroundings and challenging, championship play. Private and group instruction and tournament coordination are available from our PGA professionals. Seabrook is a certified member of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for golf courses. Seabrook is the first golf facility to receive this recognition in the state of South Carolina and 75 in the U.S.

Angel Oak is a live oak. It is native to the low country and is not very tall but has a wide spread canopy. Lumber from the live oak forests in the sea islands was highly valued for shipbuilding in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Angel Oak stands on part of Abraham Waight’s 1717 land grant. Mr. Waight owned several plantations.  The City of Charleston now owns Angel Oak. There is no charge to view the tree and is a must see when visiting Charleston, South Carolina

For tourists who haven’t visited Angel Oak, you should know that it is this state’s most imposing work of nature, more impressive even than a plate of shrimp and grits. The Tree (one instinctively capitalizes the word when talking about this colossal vegetable) stands in an obscure wooded area of John’s Island, some 12 miles beyond the Ashley River. The Tree is huge, and it is ancient. Estimates of its age run as high as 1,400 years.

Towering over 65 feet high, the Angel Oak has shaded John’s Island, South Carolina, for over 1400 years, and would have sprouted 1000 years before Columbus’ arrival in the New World. Recorded history traces the ownership of the live oak and surrounding land, back to the year 1717 when Abraham Waight received it as part of a small land grant. The tree stayed in the Waight family for four generations, and was part of a Marriage Settlement to Justus Angel and Martha Waight Tucker Angel. In modern times, the Angel Oak has become the focal point of a public park. Today the live oak has a diameter of spread reaching 160 feet, a circumference of nearly 25 feet, and covers 17,100 square feet of ground.

The Angel Oak is thought to be one of the oldest living things east of the Mississippi River. Acorns from the Angel Oak have grown to produce authentic direct-offspring trees.. Live oaks generally grow out and not up, but the Angel Oak has had plenty of time to do both, standing 65 ft high and with a canopy providing 17,000 square feet of shade. Its limbs, the size of tree trunks themselves, are so large and heavy that some of them rest on the ground (some even drop underground for a few feet and then come back up), a feature common to only the very oldest live oaks. It has survived countless hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and human interference, so there’s a good chance it will still be there waiting for you.

In the spring and summer there are numerous artistic events, including the “Evening Under the Angel Oak” series, which feature music, dramatic presentations, and various other activities, especially during the Spoleto Festival in May/June. Keep an eye out for these, as they present an especially rewarding opportunity to visit this majestic figure. Jill Bahr, the choreographer of this particular “Rite,” told me she was amazed to find that the entire Charleston Ballet company, 19 dancers, could hide behind the trunk of The Tree. Angel Oak was damaged severely during Hurricane Hugo but has since recovered and grows on John’s Island near Charleston, South Carolina.

Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site

Visitors to Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site are walking into a rare look at a remarkably preserved past. 

An archaeological treasure, the park rests on the site of Dorchester, a trading town that flourished on the Ashley River inland from Charleston from 1697 through the Revolutionary War. 

Intact remains of the old town include the brick bell tower of St. George’s Anglican Church, a fort made of the oyster-shell concrete called tabby, and part of a log wharf visible at low tide.

When the town was abandoned after the Revolution, the forest and later a community park protected the site, leaving remarkably undisturbed evidence of village life just beneath the surface.

Today, visitors to Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site can watch as archaeologists unearth the settlement’s history. Together with abundant historical records from Charleston, the site is helping to paint a clearer picture of colonial life in the American South.

Click here to see photos of Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site in our Gallery, and be sure to try the slideshow while there!

The Dunes West clubhouse, which was built on the site of the antebellum Lexington Plantation, was specifically designed to capture the old southern charm of the Lowcountry. This tremendous course takes full advantage of its fabulous setting.

Dunes West Golf Club is truly a world-class golf experience. And remember, its not whether you win or lose but where you play the game that counts.

The Golf Club at Wescott Plantation, North Charleston’s premier golf facility was developed keeping the richest traditions of Lowcountry golf. The 27-hole course was designed by Dr. Michael Hurdzan with an attempt to capture the old traditional flavor of low flowing earthworks, classic bunkering, and each hole separated and framed by the vegetation.

The routing of the golf course, combined with the abundant trees provides a sense of isolation in that you rarely ever see another golf hole other than the one you are playing. Golfers can choose from at least five tees on each hole, depending on their ability, so that they can truly enjoy their golf at Wescott Plantation.

DESIGNER: Dr. Michael Hurdzan of Hurdzan/Fry Golf Course Design

Dr. Hurdzan was selected as the recipient of the 2007 Donald Ross Award from the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA).  He joins other ASGCA Past Presidents Robert Trent Jones, Geoffrey Cornish, Pete Dye and members Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer as recipients of the organization’s highest honor.

NUMBER OF HOLES: 27 (3 equal nine hole loops)

OPENED: November 2000

OWNER: City of North Charleston, SC

MANAGED BY: Classic Golf Management, Inc.

OVERVIEW
Construction of the golf course started in February 1999. The site is a much better than average low country site in that all 27 holes are tree lined, resulting in excellent definition of the golf holes. The routing of the golf course, combined with the abundant trees provides a sense of isolation in that you rarely ever see another golf hole other than the one you are playing. Each of the three nines stretches to over 3,550 yards from the back tees, so any combination of nines will result in a back tee length of over 7,100 yards. But with at least five tees on each hole, golfers can choose tees from 5,120 yards up to 7,100 yards depending on their ability, so that they can truly enjoy their golf at Wescott Plantation.

The design intent was to capture the old traditional flavor of low flowing earthworks, classic bunkering, and each hole separated and framed by the vegetation. To this were tied wide landing areas, strategic and offset angles of play from various tees and fairway landing areas. The course will reward intelligent shot selection as much as skillful shot making. In keeping with the traditional flavor of the course the name of the three nines, Oak Forest, Burn Kill and Black Robin all are derived from the history of the site.

The fairways are planted with the newest generation super grass called ‘Tifsport’ which offers awesome playing conditions while being the most environmentally adapted. Any ball in the fairway is rewarded with the perfect lie. Naturally there are a profusion of natural elements on the courses such as streams, ponds, wetlands, key sentinel trees, as holes play in various directions and lengths around these features.

Greens
The average size green is 6,000 square feet, with about 75% relatively fun hole location areas, and 25% competitive locations. The greens were planted with another super grass called ‘Tifeagle’. The greens have soft contours but when shaved down will be tricky to read.

Bunkers
There are not an excessive number of bunkers on the course, but each one is well thought out and demands careful shot selection and execution. The bunkers have nearly flat sandy bottoms, but steep grass faces.

Tees
Every hole has a minimum of five sets of tees and some holes have six or seven in order to maximize the various angles of play, and minimize the dreaded forced carries. Total tee area on each hole is 6,000 – 9,000 square feet.

Amenities
Besides 3-great nines, there is a very large driving range/learning center, practice putting green, full service clubhouse, on course shelters and restrooms, and easy access to and from the clubhouse.

Clubhouse
6,900 square feet of heated space and 6,000 square feet of porches. Clubhouse has a pro shop, restaurant and meeting space. Cart storage is under the clubhouse.

SIGNATURE HOLE: Hole 8, Oak Forest
Beautiful par 3, Number 8 will be a tough hole to par.  It can play as long or as short as you like (200/189/169/149/115 yards).  With a lake running all the way down the left side to the green, hitting it “fat” or “chunky” or “left” is not a good option.  This hole is considered one of the prettiest on the golf course.

So what exactly is ‘strand feeding?’ How does it work? After locating a school of fish, the dolphin (or dolphins) begins to swim circles around it, making the circles smaller and smaller in order to contain and condense the school. Next, the dolphin ‘drives’ the fish into shallow waters and chases them up onto the shore. As the small fish flap around on the shore, the dolphin feasts on as many as he can before sliding back into the water himself. If a pod of dolphins is strand feeding together, the pod will often trap the school of fish against the shore and then ‘stand guard’ in a semi circle around the school while each dolphin takes a turn to feed.

Although parts of greater Charleston can offer prime views of this dolphin behavior, you still have to be pretty lucky (or pretty determined) to actually witness strand feeding for yourself.

Here are a few tips to increase your chances:

• Go now! Strand feeding occurs year-round but is most frequent between late spring and early fall.
• Check your Tide Chart. Strand feeding usually occurs within 3 hours either side of low tide.
• Scope out a location. Look for creek and river channels with rapid tidal currents and gradually sloping banks of sand or mud (no oyster beds!)
• Ask the locals. See if they’ve got any ‘top tips’ to share with you (keeping in mind that plenty of locals have yet to experience strand feeding for themselves!)(Photograph © Jules Griffon)

 Ripley Light Yacht Club is a private marina that prides itself on customer service, convenience, and providing an unprecedented boating experience. Since completion in May of 2006, Ripley Light Yacht Club has strived to set itself apart from other marinas.

We understand the importance of quality service and knowing all of our members by name. When you walk the docks, you will be greeted by familiar faces that are always willing to lend a hand. We offer spacious slips for transients, short, and long term dockage.

Sport fishing charters and harbor cruises are available for the fishing enthusiast or for any special occasion. We invite you to take advantage of our 6500 square foot Ipe pier for entertaining or simply watching the boats return from a day of fishing.

With many exciting expansion plans on the horizon, we urge you to join us. Whether you are looking for a comfortable place to dock, catch the big one, host an event, or cruise the harbor, Ripley Light Yacht Club is your premier marina.

We’re kidding. That’s not really why, but it’s close. The Charleston Angler has ensconced us in a most passionate environment, combining our love for living in this great city with our love for stalking its waters with fly rod in hand. Our hope is that you enjoy catching fish with this gear for many years to come. If so, please remember to stop back by and tell us; gloating is both welcomed and encouraged.

Store Hours
West Ashley: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 8am-6pm / Wednesday, 8am-2pm / Saturday, 7am-6pm / Sunday, 7am-2pm
Mt. Pleasant: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 10am-6pm / Wednesday, 10am-2pm / Friday, Saturday, 7am-6pm / Sunday, 7am-2pm
Summerville: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 10am-6pm / Wednesday, 10am-2pm / Friday, 7am-6pm / Saturday, 7am-5pm / Sunday, 7am-2pm
Embroidery: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9am-5pm / Wednesday, 9am-2pm / Sunday, closed

OUR PHILOSOPHY
The idea was simple: offer top-of-the-line products, impeccable service and expert know-how to a population of savvy, experienced anglers. Pushing rods and tackle would not be enough; the store would need to be an experience itself, something as warm, knowledgeable and endearing as the salty guide who puts you on a school of indiscriminately hungry tarpon.

Furthermore, the store would diligently promote responsible fishing practices such as catch and release; would educate through free seminars; and would teach classes in the delicate arts of fly-fishing and fly tying. It would embrace the beginner, novice or expert within every customer who set foot in the door or picked up a phone. Man or woman, local or tourist with toilet paper on his shoe, everyone would be treated only as anglers.

We set about searching for expert anglers who shared our passion and philosophies, experts who sought a keen awareness of the cutting edge products within the store, so much that they would attend retail shows and corner reps about the specifications and performance capabilities of their products. If you were addicted enough to have ever hooked yourself while driving, you were pretty much in.

Since 2000, we have served the needs of all worlds of anglers, specializing in fly, inshore and offshore fishing, as well as shrimping and crabbing. And the anglers have been happy, though the same could not be said for all of the fish.

Set on a secluded peninsula on the Charleston Harbor, Patriots Point Links™ in Mount Pleasant offers the most stunning views in the Lowcountry.  Any golf trip to South Carolina’s historic City of Charleston is not complete without a round at this memorable course.

With four sets of tees ranging from 5100 to 7000 yards, players of all skill levels will enjoy this Willard Byrd designed links course on the Charleston Harbor.

A South Carolina tradition since 1979, guests will enjoy unmatched service, GPS equipped golf carts and the perennially awarded “Best Par-3 in the Lowcountry” 17th hole, an island green poised in the Charleston Harbor with sweeping vistas of Fort Sumter, Shem Creek and the historic downtown skyline.

The course layout is set on a secluded peninsula, surrounded by the ebbing Charleston tides. The ever-changing wind that typically sweeps across the harbor also shapes the personality of the challenge from one round to the next. This links style par 72 championship course features immaculate greens, classic palmettos and wide, plush fairways.

Accolades:

• 2001 – South Carolina Course of the Year (NGCOA)
• Best Par-3 in the Lowcountry

Begin your Charleston golf vacation here and experience the reasons why Golf Digest praises Shadowmoss as “the best golf value in Charleston”. Located just 12 miles from downtown and 5 miles from I-526, Shadowmoss is convenient to Kiawah Island and easily accessible from anywhere in the Charleston area. We are located just off of Historic Hwy 61 on the way to some of the most famous plantations in the Charleston area.

Whether you are just looking for an enjoyable round of golf or some professional golf instruction, Shadowmoss has everything you need including rental clubs, a driving range, a putting green and a fully stocked pro shop with the finest in quality apparel and equipment. We also feature a full-service snack bar and lounge. Our snack bar is open from 7am to 5 pm and serves breakfast from 7am to 11am. The lounge opens daily at 10 am and on course beverage service begins at 9am.

Carved from an original Charleston Plantation featuring lush Bermuda fairways, Shadowmoss was designed by Russell Breeden to challenge the best players while featuring design characteristics to make it playable for all golfers.

Breeden used the natural surroundings and a mosaic of ponds and streams to create a beautiful setting. Generous fairways and the new Champion Bermuda greens (renovated in 2003) make Shadowmoss a must play in the Charleston area.

Thirty minutes from Charleston on scenic Highway 61 and located on the site of a former rice plantation. Chosen by the readers of Charleston Business Journal as one of the Top Three Low Country Courses, Legend Oaks is genuine Low Country golf at it’s finest. Golf Magazine Travel Editor Brian McCallen likened the approach to the Legend Oaks plantation-style clubhouse, through an avenue of 300-year-old live oaks, to the drive up Magnolia Drive leading to Augusta National. “Though the golf course is more akin to Pinehurst no. 2 in its straightforward presentation of challenge,” McCallen added. Legend Oaks Plantation is a classic layout, nestled in Charleston’s Historic Plantation area.

Selected by Golf Styles Magazine in 2007 and 2006 as one of the Top 100 Courses in the Carolina’s…you must, Experience Golf Plantation Style at Legend Oaks!

Charleston Sailing School is different in that we teach small classes on bigger and newer boats. Classes include no more than four students at a time (unless friends or family). Other schools put as many as six students on one small boat. Our yachts are all 2004 models or newer. They are all designed for ease of handling, comfort, and enjoyment. After completing the bareboat certification students are eligible to charter yachts up to 50ft around the world!

Charleston Sailing School is located downtown at the Charleston City Marina. Charleston is consistently ranked as one of top 10 cities to visit in the U.S. by Conde Nast Traveler. We are just a few minutes walk from the historic and commercial districts. Charleston is renowned for its world class hospitality and fine Southern cuisine. Come enjoy the charm of the Lowcountry aboard one of our yachts.

Charleston Sailing School is different in that our prices are a fraction of what other schools charge. Go ahead and do a comparison. We know you will come here if you want the best investment.

Take a look around our website. Read the testimonials from other students. Compare our boats and our prices with the competition. Feel free to call and talk if you have any questions. Whether you want to do day sailing or ocean cruising Charleston Sailing School has a program for you. Let us show you how to “Sail with Confidence.”

]]> http://www.greatercharleston.com/charleston-sailing-school/feed/ 1 http://www.greatercharleston.com/coosaw-creek/ http://www.greatercharleston.com/coosaw-creek/#comments Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:13:35 +0000 Public http://www.greatercharleston.com/index.php/?p=3810

Coosaw Creek, a member owned semi-private golf course and country club located within a thirty minute drive from downtown Charleston.

We invite you to come out and sample our lowcountry hospitality.  The public is welcome to play our golf course, sample our chef’s specialities, and host special events.

Surrounded by the natural beauty of majestic oaks and towering pines, our Arthur Hills golf course meanders through pristine wetlands for a truly memorable experience.

The clubhouse features semi-formal and casual dining areas with a wide variety of menu options.  The Palmetto Grill is a great place to grab a bite to eat after a round of golf, or the perfect spot to enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner on weekends.

For a business meeting, elegant party, or unforgettable wedding, our Charleston banquet facility can accommodate anywhere from 8 to 200 guests.

Coosaw Creek also features a junior Olympic swimming pool, lighted tennis courts, and a complete golf practice facility.

Charleston has become a hotspot for offshore fishing enthusiasts. We are lucky enough to have the opportunty for Marlin, Sailfish, Dolphin, Wahoo, and Tuna.  And if you like to bottom fish- be ready! When your rig hits the bottom, it could be anything from a Grouper, Amberjack, Seabass, to a Snapper.

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Crowfield Golf & Country Club is much more than just a great round of golf. We offer our members the full tennis, swimming, and dining facilities you would expect to find at a private club. With so many activities and amenities to enjoy, it’s no wonder so many people are exploring the membership options at Crowfield. Call today to schedule a tee time or make a dinner reservation. We look forward to seeing you!  

A fishing license is not necessary and all the gear you need can be rented from the bridge store. For $8.00 per day you can try your hand at some deep river fishing. Walking, biking, relaxing and people watching are free to all and the children’s park , shaded by the bridge, has lots of fun playground equipment and has already become an attraction for young families.

The 6,200 sq. ft. Visitors Center has an office for tourist to stop in and get the low down on things to do in Mt. Pleasant and Charleston. The large reception room  is decorated by original murals by local artists and is available for private parties and receptions for up to 175 people.

The Sweetgrass Cultural Arts pavilion provides the history of one of our areas cultural highlights. Mt. Pleasant is one, if not the only, area in our country where sweetgrass grows. You will see sweetgrass stands, belonging to individual families, along both sides of Hwy. 17  in Mt. Pleasant. These time-consuming creations can be purchased directly from the weavers on site at the pavilion or at one of the stands as they demonstrate their skills handed down from generations of artisans.

The centerpiece of the park is the War Memorial with an 8-foot bronze statue, by the renowned sculptor Raymond Kaskey, honoring the fallen war heroes originally from the Mt. Pleasant area.

It’s exciting to see our tax dollars being spent on something that will be enjoyed by the community for years to come.

Tanger Outlets

Click here for a full-screen slideshow of the pre-race activity!

Click here for a full-screen slideshow of the race!

Click here for a full-screen slideshow of the post-race awards ceremony!

The waters wreathing this semi-tropical panorama team with redfish (spottail bass) the year round. April and May bring higher (spring) tides which carry feasts to redfish feeding in the flooding spartina grass flats. These tides provide access into these green realms by boat, or my favorite way, wading to the fish that seemingly beckon with waving tails.  This continues on into the early part of November depending on the weather, always. The hard-fighting Jack Crevalle abounds through the late summer months in Charleston Harbor, and speckled trout, flounder, bluefish, ladyfish, sheepshead, black drum, spanish mackerel, tarpon and numerous varieties of shark lurk as well.

Into September and continuing with the cooler water as the weather turns colder, the water clears, and the redfish get into enormous schools.  This makes it an ideal time from October to March, to come and sight fish these reds, at the best time.  

Come spend a day with one of Charleston’s hardest working guides and experience the scenic beauty of the Lowcountry.

We also provide the most educational and fun water tours of the historic Charleston Harbor. Captain Rich narrates for all the sight-seeing tours, guaranteeing a laugh or two. The boat is outfitted with cushions and backrests to ensure the most comfortable ride possible. On ecological trips Captain Rich will narrate while you sightsee and marvel over the abundant wildlife with historic Charleston in the background.

Crabbing is another way for the entire family to spend some quality time together. Custom charters are available for birthdays, anniversaries or that special occasion that needs to be remembered. A digital camera is always on board to ensure your memories are captured forever; and are e-mailed to you as our gift. Our goal is to provide our customers the best service in Charleston S.C., with the best rates and maintain the highest standards of customer service.

This is a highly specialized service geared toward an upscale clientèle. We offer everything from the basic to the all inclusive. Our luxuriously appointed yachts have all the comforts you desire with many relaxing places to catch the sun or view the landscape. Let us customize a yachting package that will be truly memorable. From a surprise sunset cruise for that special someone, to a once in a lifetime wedding event, we look forward to helping you create your unique yachting experience!

Offshore and near shore charters are available for up to six people in our 52′ Viking to fish in style and comfort.

We want your fishing experience to be fun and memorable!

Year round Angling is available in the Charleston Area and can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Our ecosystem provides us with the opportunity to fish many different methods to target the species at hand and is one of the great attributes that makes Charleston such a successful, fun, and unique place to fish. Whether you are poling the flats in less than a foot of water, fishing the bays and creeks, anchored up fishing a submerged deep water structure, or fishing the rocks of the Charleston Jetties, all different types of species can be fished in various methods depending on the season. Among the fishery of Charleston, many different species can be targeted. Among these are Red Drum, Speckled Trout, Flounder, Sheepshead, Black Drum, Ladyfish, Bluefish, Spanish Mackerel, Jack-Crevalle, Tarpon, and many different types of sharks.

During the warmer weather, beginning in early May when the water temperature is high, many species make themselves prevalent throughout our waters. During this time, poling the shallow flats offers great opportunity for Lady Fish, Bonnet-Head Sharks, Redfish, and Flounder. The flats can come alive as these fish visibly crash the surface of the water feeding on bait fish. This gives the Angler the opportunity to sight cast to the fish as he watches them feed in very skinny water. Spanish Mackerel, Trout, and Blue Fish are also prevalent during this time of year in the harbor and rivers as well as Sheepshead and Black Drum, which can be targeted around structures such as rock jetties and pilings. During this time large migratory fish such as the potential IGFA world record Jack-Crevalle, a tremendous fighting fish that averages about 20 lbs. and range all the way up to 60 lbs in mixed schools can be found in our waters. Jack-Crevalle can be fished by sighting the school when they are finning or crashing bait or can be fished by taking out and waiting for them to come as they follow these large schools of Menhaden. These fish are usually found in the harbor or surrounding inlets. Tarpon, whose presence has steadily risen each year increasing our odds of a catch, also enter our waters and remain in local waters until September.

Affinity Charters  is Charleston’s finest inshore and flats fishing charter service.  All guided trips are private and custom, so they cater to each client’s goals, wants, and skill level.  Capt. John Ward is a dedicated professional fishing guide with a History and Biology degree form College of Charleston.  Charleston’s waters are full of life, and by special request: private eco tours, bird watching, harbor cruises, shelling, crabbing, historic, and corporate trips are available.  Fishing in Charleston is world class, whether you are sight casting a fly at schooling redfish, or battling acrobatic Black Tip Sharks or Tarpon on light spin tackle.

The Charleston Area Golf Guide booklet provides complete information about Charleston, SC area golf courses as well as things to see and do off the course.

Let us create a custom golf vacation package for you! To learn more about available golf packages, browse through our courses, accommodations, or go directly to Golf Packages.

The Charleston Area
Charleston offers exceptional golf in one of the world’s most highly acclaimed vacation destinations. Discover world-class golf courses situated on breathtaking coastal terrain, ranging from true links style courses to tight wooded lowcountry layouts.

Golfers and non-golfers alike will enjoy our unmatched selection of specialty shops, restaurants, lively nightlife, sun-drenched beaches and historic sites. Condé Nast Traveler recently ranked us as the No. 2 destination in the US to visit. The Charleston area offers as many good times off the golf course as on it!

Nestled within the picturesque Snee Farm Community in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, Snee Farm Country Club offers one of the most picturesque private Golf, Tennis and Swimming facilities in the Low Country. A wide variety of social activities and events are continually offered providing fun for the entire family.

Since the Club’s inception in 1970, we have prided ourselves in providing our Members the highest personal attention and relaxed atmosphere that the whole family can enjoy. As the tradition continues, Snee Farm Country Club continues to emerge as the premier private club in Mt. Pleasant. Our entire staff  continually strives to not only meet, but to exceed the expectations of our Members.

Accessed via Highway 17 North, Snee Farm is 5 miles north of the Cooper River Bridge, close to Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island and Downtown Charleston.

The scenery…breath-taking.  The atmosphere…charming.  The mood…uplifting.
These very emotions are what define Stono Ferry, and ultimately what puts the club in a class by itself.  Whether you are enjoying a leisurely stroll around our famous links or laughing with friends under the live oaks overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway, your time spent with us at Stono Ferry is well deserved.  Our club of friends makes everyone feel welcome, and the memories made here last a lifetime.  With so much to offer, we feel the choice is simple.

Beyond our great course, club members and guests enjoy a completely remodeled clubhouse complete with an exquisite dining area and bar, and an outdoor deck under the live oaks accented by a cabana bar.

And so it began in 1682…
The Links at Stono Ferry is truly a unique golf experience with eighteen challenging holes played on historic and beautiful grounds.  The first owner of record of the plantation property was James Beamer in 1682.  A ship’s carpenter from Barbados, he was lost at sea in 1687 on a voyage to visit his homeland.  His son Jacob Beamer continued to plant and farm the plantation after his father’s tragic death.

Almost a century later the Battle At Stono Ferry took place on June 20, 1779.  This famous American Revolutionary battle was fought along the Stono River.  A part of the battle took place where the 12th, 13th, and 14th holes are presently located.  One of the military fortifications (redoubt) from the battle was relocated during the construction of the course to the right side of the 12th fairway.  The commanding officer for the British and Hessian forces was General Maitland, while General Moultrie led the American Patriots.  The British and Hessian forces suffered 129 casualties, while the Americans suffered 153 dead or wounded.  One of the American casualties was Hugh Jackson, the older brother of President Andrew Jackson.  He died from heat exhaustion he suffered during the battle.  Many historians believe Hugh Jackson’s death contributed to the disdain President Jackson felt toward the British.  His ill feelings toward England played a big part in his presidency’s foreign policy. 

Stono Ferry also played a part in the Civil War.  An original 1863 map shows a Confederate battery known as Battery Wilkes located atop the middle fortification or redoubt used one hundred years earlier in The Battle at Stono Ferry.  The location of the redoubt is thought to be close to the 14th tee box.  This fortification consisted of eight privates, one corporal, and two cannons.  The original Confederate commander of the Lowcountry’s coastal defenses was General Robert E. Lee.  He established his command in the tiny hamlet of Coosawatchie.  He frequently traveled up and down the coastline to inspect defensive positions including Battery Wilkes.

A railroad line known as the Charleston and Savannah Railroad formerly occupied the land where the cart path for the 13th hole now exists.  The line was established in the late 1850’s and was the main lifeline between these Southern cities.  The rail line was finally abandoned in the late 1960’s. 

Between famous battles and historical events, Stono Ferry was used as a plantation raising various crops.  The Ferry Crossing (14th tee box) served area plantations in need of transporting goods and crops.

The City Course is a very golfer-friendly course. Most days, 18-holers play in less than 4 hours. The design is a traditional early 20th century golf course with modern upgrades of the new millenium. One of the few walkable golf courses in Charleston, The City Course boasts 6 sets of tees to accomodate all playing levels. Yardages start at 3628 yards and lengthen to 6411 yards. With open green fronts and no forced carries except for the championship tees, it is a wonderful course for beginners, women, and seniors.

The design, layed out by Johnny Adams with many Seth Raynor characteristics, is also a challenge. The small greens and the surrounding bunkers test even the best player’s skill. It is no wonder that over 60,000 rounds are played annually.

Charleston’s reputation as a golf vacation destination is growing. First-timers may find it hard to believe, but The City Course is a favorite with the tourists as well. Many a day The City Course Grill is abuzz with accents from around the world comparing stories about their golf travels. With multiple-day golf vacations, a day to play “The Muni” is often set aside. The Monday Night Blitz (Summer Mondays) draws 4 person teams regularly from Kiawah Island.

We specialize in memorable vacations, and offer many accommodation styles, abundant activities for all ages, great dining, award winning golf and tennis. And if lying on the beach is the extent of your trip, we have plenty of that as well. Plan to stay for a few days – or the rest of your life. Flying into Charleston, SC just got more affordable!

Experience One of South Carolina’s Top Rated Golf Resorts!

Surround yourself with marsh vistas, glistening dunes and crashing waves. That’s golf at Wild Dunes Resort. Guaranteed to test you every day. Here, we celebrate the great old game in style with 36-holes of the Harbor Course and Links Course. Challenging enough for players of every skill level. Golf Digest says they’re among the “Best in the State.” Tom Fazio designed our courses early in his career, and says they’re still among his favorites. Be sure to ask about our special Isle of Palms golf packages. To book a golf group of 8 or more players

Wild Dunes Resort is proud to welcome back the famed oceanfront 18th hole of the Links Course, our signature course that has drawn golfers to the Isle of Palms for decades. After a 20-month cycle of natural beach erosion, the coastline along Wild Dunes Resort has been revitalized through a comprehensive beach restoration project. Working with golf architect Tom Fazio, the course’s original designer, the 18th hole was transformed in 2008 from a par-5 to a par-3 after a portion of the original green was washed away by the erosion. The Links Course continues to play as a full 18-hole course during the 18th hole’s reconstruction.

The newly restored hole is scheduled to open for play in late spring 2009. We appreciate our guests’ patience throughout the erosion and restoration project. To celebrate, we’re offering special rates on golf packages throughout 2009! Click here to learn more about our More Green for Less Green package or call 888.778.1876.

Joe Talbot will expertly guide you through the boat buying or selling process. His experience, ability, and honesty are beyond compare. He has spent his lifetime in the boat business from Maine to Hawaii.

Montie Froehlich is the head of our training program. His experience as an Instructor has earned him the American Sailing Associations highest award of “Outstanding Instructor” for the past two years.

Hunter Sailboats have earned the distinction of being “The World’s premier builder of recreational sailboats from nine to forty-nine feet. The Company is employee owned.

Founded in 1972 as an educational institution, the Sailing Museum of Charleston is dedicated to being one of the foremost maritime museums in the world.

Through the leadership of its trustees and staff, The Sailing Museum manifests this commitment by discovering, preserving, and documenting visiting collections of the highest order which reflect the history, science and stories of naval adventure, travel and warfare throughout the ages; by presenting exhibitions and educational programs of unparalleled significance; by sustaining a library, archives, and conservation laboratory that are recognized as international centers of research; and by supporting scholarship and publications of preeminent intellectual merit.

Central to the Sailing Museum’s mission is the encouragement of an ever deeper understanding and enjoyment of maritime history by the diverse local, national, and international audiences that it serves.

The Museum seeks broaden the world’s understanding of naval history through its acclaimed lecture series, which feature experts and scholars from around the world. The lecture series is now in its 17th year of presenting outstanding featured speakers.

In sum, the Sailing Museum seeks to create a dialogue between the established and the experimental, the past and the present, in an environment that is responsive to the issues of modern and historical seafaring, while being accessible to a public that ranges from scholars to young children. The Museum also acknowledges and pursues a broader educational purpose: to present collections which are more than an assemblage of rare artifacts, which provide uniquely comprehensive insight into the course of seafaring history and the evolution of its future.

Museum Hours:

Monday – Thursday 10 AM – 6 PM
Friday – Saturday 10 AM – 8 PM
Closed Sundays and Christmas Day, open all other holidays
Some galleries may close prior to 6 PM Monday – Thursday (8 PM Friday – Saturday)

Adventure on Charleston’s Historic Maritime

You design a cruise, we will make it happen – Local Charleston,  Coastal Cruises,  Bahamas – You name it!

The College of Charleston Sailing Team has been recognized as a champion for many years. The team was formed in 1964 and was a founding member of the South Atlantic Intercollegiate Sailing Association (SAISA) in that same year.

In both 1986 and 2007 the College of Charleston Sailing Team won both the Intercollegiate Dinghy National Championship and the Leonard B. Fowle Trophy, awarded annually to the best overall sailing team in the nation. Only three other teams have ever won both honors in the same year. The team was also the Fowle Trophy winner in 1988 and in 1998, and has been second in that competition three times.

Since 1978, the team has qualified seventeen times for all annual national collegiate sailing championships, winning thirteen of those events. During that time the team produced more than sixty All-Americans, three College Sailors of the Year, one Quantum Female Sailor of the Year, and one Sportsman of the Year. Many team alumni have found success at various national class championships and in international and Olympic competition.

In the world of college sailing, the College of Charleston has developed a very special winning tradition.

Join Capt. D with up to 5 of your companions for an afternoon of fun, sun and sailing.  You can choose a two hour, a four hour charter or a six hour charter.  You’ll enjoy the sights of the historic Charleston Harbor.  Keep your eyes open for sightings of our resident dolphins! Make sure you pack a camera, sunscreen, a towel and a cooler.

Pricing for up to 6 passenger:

3 hours- $300
4 hours- $400
6 hours- $600

Capt. Larry DiCenzo-Capt. Larry DiCenzo is a USCG licensed captain who has spent his entire life on the water. He has an extensive background in education and administration. Having attained a BS in Physical Education and an MA in Administration, his administrative and education career began in 1973 and continue to this day.  

He also owned and operated a successful construction company for several years while living in New Hampshire in addition to his administrative duties with that state’s school system. He is an extremely motivated individual who is able to operate various ventures simultaneously and with great efficiency and success. 

In addition to owning and operating Capt. D’s sailing adventures, he is the co-founder of the South Atlantic Institute of Leadership. Additionally he is currently the principal of one of the most successful elementary schools in South Carolina.  Quite a full plate, but Capt. D can handle it.

Capt. Greg Handal began his life on the water sailing with his father in 1974 when he was only five years old. He’s been plying the waters of SC ever since. He is a public educator with the Charleston County School District, as well as being USCG licensed charter captain. He opened Water Music Charters of Folly Beach in 2000. He started doing corporate team-building and leadership training the same year. His greatest joy is his son, James Elliott, who was born to him and his lovely wife, Judy Lynn, on February 16, 2006. He is a devoted conservationist and thoroughly enjoys showing people a good time. Give the captain a call to make the very most of your vacation.

Folly Beach is a short drive from Charleston, SC, yet a world away, providing an ideal beachfront location to relax and enjoy yourself. Although there is much to be said for sitting in the sun and reading a good book, Folly has much more to offer. E-mail or call Capt. Greg and experience the excitement of small-boat offshore fishing. He also offers sailing the nearshore waters of the Atlantic Ocean, as well as the Folly Beach Estuary. Capt. Greg offers custom packages if your desires are not covered in the offered packages.

Charleston’s ultimate sailing catamaran and set sail to see all the historic sites from the water!  PALMETTO BREEZE is both fast and spacious.

Relax and spread out on 1700 square feet of deck space and covered cockpit seating.  Enjoy a beverage from the bar, and experience spectacular views of Forts Moultrie and Sumter, Castle Pinckney, the USS Yorktown, the Charleston skyline, and all the breathtaking wildlife of the low country!
 
PALMETTO BREEZE is available for private charters days and evenings.  She sails from Charleston Harbor Marina at Patriot’s Point.
 
Legally U.S. Coast Guard Inspected and Insured for a maximum of 100 guests plus crew.    She is the largest capacity sailing vessel in the area!

Boarding at other marinas also available.
 
Private charters available 7 days a week and 12 months a year.
 
Public Sails Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
March-September.  Please call or e-mail for current schedule and rates.

PALMETTO BREEZE features ample seating and deck space, shade from the sun, flat easy to navigate deck, two restrooms, and comfortable flat sailing.

Sailing in the Charleston harbor is a year round adventure. Why not enjoy this opportunity on Charleston’s finest private air conditioned luxury yacht.  Enjoy the sights of this beautiful city from historical landmarks to a wide variety of wildlife as you relax and feel the ocean breeze.

All of our luxury tours are private.  A set limit of 6 passengers not including crew, guarantees a great experience without crowds.

A typical harbor cruise will pass by Charleston landmarks such as The Battery, Waterfront Park, Historic Castle Pinckney, under the Arthur Ravanel JR Bridge, and out to Fort Sumter where the Civil War began. You will usually see dolphins playing in the bow wake or feeding in the shallows. If you are an avid bird watcher feel free to bring along a pair of binoculars as there are many species to be seen.

Complimentary soda and bottled water are provided.  Feel free to bring any special beverages that you wish to take pleasure in while you watch the amazing sunsets Charleston has to offer.

Extended trips are available which include open ocean sailing with great views of the Morris Island lighthouse and Folly Beach. Contact us for with your ideas and we can make it happen. Longer Range Sailing Trips to: Kiawah, Seabrook, Beaufort, Hilton Head, Savannah are available by request.

Our story has two beginnings …

…which blended two years ago when Ned Goss (Five-time National Champion in the Fireball Class, Two-time North American Champion in the Fireball Class, and Two-time U.S. Sailing Team Member in the Olympic 49er) purchased OSA, an already successful sailing school. Until that time the school had focused primarily on ’serious sailors’.

Ned’s vision expanded the offerings to include the wider community of recreational sailors. It now embraces the local community, assists local fundraising efforts, contributes to the green movement, and engages families and visitors in one of the finest low-impact forms of transportation and engagement with the outdoors available. The playground we train on begins in Charleston and extends to Massachusetts, Europe and the Caribbean.

Our motto: Sail Confident, Sail Calm, Sail for Fun.

Our mission is to share our knowledge and passion for sailing in a calm, confident and fun environment.

Goals:

• To instill in our students an appreciation for safety, forethought and reasonable expectations of sailing so that they can get the most from their own sailing adventures.
• To transmit the skills and knowledge that will set our students in the direction of a lifelong love affair with wind and water.
• To offer our perspective of sailing as a great social pastime, a platform for boosting self confidence, and a portal to wonderful adventures all over the world.

Methods:

• To provide excellent, personalized, friendly instruction in a small group setting.
• To utilize a variety of teaching methods to accommodate all learning styles.

Our office hours are:
Monday – Friday
9:00 am – 5:00 pm

In short order, they drew up a Charter, filed with the IRS for 501 C3 not-for-profit status and began acquiring assets for their venture; six 420’s donated by the Carolina Yacht Club, another 420 from James Island Yacht Club, a floating dock from the College of Charleston Sailing Foundation, and dock space supplied by The City Marina. It was 1999. CCSI was up and running, focused on high school sailors 16 and up.

The first high school team, formed at Pinewood Prep in Summerville, was quickly followed by seven others. Encouraged by the enthusiasm, CCSI reached deeper into the community, bringing the joy of sailing to members of the Boys and Girls Club of the Trident area with “Buddy Sail” a program that paired a child from the Club with a high school volunteer for an afternoon on the water. The concept furthered the Boys and Girls Club’s mission; to instill young people with a sense of accomplishment, usefulness, and belonging – in this instance, through bonding with CCSI sailors. The partnership was perfect!

In late 2003, the badly worn CCSI fleet was replaced with a dozen new 420s and the group faced a bright future. Board members soon recognized that the organization’s activities warranted full-time guidance. In February 2004, Sarah Schaill became CCSI’s first Director of Operations. Under her leadership, existing programs would be enhanced and new programs initiated.
Chief among these, in 2005, was CCSI’s involvement with the Special Olympics of South Carolina as James Island Yacht Club launched the first South Carolina Special Olympics Sailing team. Athletes were to be partnered for competition in regional events throughout the southeastern United States and, hopefully, nationwide. The community responded to the program’s impressive growth with a grant from the Exchange Club of Charleston, donations from local businesses, and enthusiastic participation from volunteers. In 2006, Sam Hazeltine, sailing for Special Olympics Sailing “Team Charleston”, was named Special Olympic spokesperson by the Metro Sports Council.

Also in 2005, CCSI joined the County Parks and Recreation Department to include sailing in the parks’ summer day camps, providing many low country youths with their first exposure to the sport of sailing. Due to continued interest and demand, the program will continue through 2008.

CCSI’s growing role as host to other sailing organizations and competitions is a particular source of pride. In collaboration with the College of Charleston Sailing Foundation under the leadership of George Wood, CCSI has hosted numerous high school events at the local and district levels, including the High School National competitions. When US Sailing comes to town, CCSI lends willing hands to events such as the Bemis quarterfinals and the U.S. Sailing Level One Instructor Courses.

When it comes to sailing instruction, CCSI knows the ropes. In partnership with Carolina Yacht Club, CCSI prepares young sailors to compete in U.S. Sailing ladder events. CCSI sailors have advanced to sail on top-ranked college teams including College of Charleston, St. Mary’s, Tufts University, Davidson and UNC/Chapel Hill. Some have returned to CCSI as high school team coaches. Alana O’Reilly graduated CCSI instructional programs to become Collegiate Female Sailor of the Year and join the coaching staff at Georgetown University. CCSI’s Jenny Gervais represented St. Mary’s University as a team member for the US Sailing 2005 World University Games in Turkey.

Despite non-stop activity, CCSI keeps fleet maintenance costs in control with creative approaches to problem solving and shrewd business sense. Faced with refurbishing outboard motors at once, CCSI negotiated with the local Hanckel Marine dealership and Yamaha Motors to acquire new equipment at a special factory discount.

Jessica Koenig succeeded Sarah Schaill as CCSI Executive Director in 2007, bringing extensive racing experience, management skills and abiding affection for the sport of sailing to the position. With an impressive history and growing support, CCSI is prepared to face new opportunities, establish initiatives and expand services and outreach efforts in the low country community.

• Over 6 miles of trails with trailside exhibits
• Elevated boardwalks through wetlands (1,435 ft.)
• Environmental and social studies education programs from pre-school through college level
• Interpretive exhibits, displays, and programs
• Former 18th and 19th century rice fields and on one of the important sites of the Stono Rebellion
• Thousands of naturalized tea plants from a 20th century tea farm
• Areas managed for wildlife including waterfowl, songbirds, otters, deer, and more
• Favored habitats for rare wildlife:  American Alligators, Swallow-tailed Kites, Bald Eagles, and others

You now have the opportunity to be among the first visitors to submit your writing or business profile for featured placement, or to replace an existing profile, or to review existing business profiles to establish their ranking! To post your profile or writing, simply click Submit Here and fill in the blanks once you get there. It’s that easy! To review an existing profile, simply scroll to the bottom of that page and you’ll be able to click up to five stars! While registering as a user is not required for you to make your submission or write reviews, it will give you greater privileges, and it’s absolutely free, so we encourage you to register soon. For security reasons, we cannot give instant publishing or other site priveleges unless we can contact you and verify who you are, so you can trust registration is purely for the integrity and protection of the family-friendly content of GreaterCharleston.com, and nothing more. Registered users also have instant review/rating priveleges that automatically insert your screen name, so it can also make for a more enjoyable business reviewing effort. The Register link is on the right side of every page, or you can click here to register now. Likewise, you’ll want to register at the Gallery and at GreaterCharleston.tv for similar reasons. You can use the same username and password, or create new ones for each registration, but for security reasons we keep the databases separate so you will need to register for each that you intend to use for submissions. Once we know who you are, we give you increasing freedom and power to move around, and will eventually offer you contributing editor status, which is loaded with even more power and privileges… both in the site and around town! If you have any questions, feel free to email us at Submissions@GreaterCharleston.com anytime.

While we have our own team of writers and multi-media production folks who will be publishing articles, stories, and gallery albums in magazine format, we are also a publicly-driven publishing site. You may have heard the terms Wiki, open-source, and Web 2.0… well all of those aptly describe the organic strengths of this site. But few terms better describe GreaterCharleston.com than “totally free,” always and forever, with no limits to your publishing opportunities. Surf the menu again… we’re sure you’ll see categories where you’d like to be found.

Even now, all of your submissions will be searchable on Google, Yahoo, and all the other major search engines, and you’ll be able to start inviting your friends, your fans, and/or your clients to join others who will be commenting and/or reviewing your submissions. We will publish all business profiles, both those submitted by the public and those produced by our own staff, so if you represent a business be sure you submit as soon as possible so that your competition doesn’t gain all the early traffic. Cheers!