Most Recent Paddles / Events
To access photos of kayak trips/events from previous years, use the dropdown menu under Photo Gallery in the Main Menu.
Ebenezer Creek Paddle (12/8/23)
For a while it looked like it might be a little cool for a comfortable paddle, but the sun came out and warmed things up just enough for really pleasant paddling conditions. Since the water level was as low as we've seen, narrowing the navigable area of the creek, the 24 paddlers were split into two groups, connected by walkie-talkies provided by the Kilbergs. Although the water level was low, not allowing us to kayak through the trees like we did in June of this year, it naturally exposed the interesting shapes of the cypress tree roots. Jim, our resident professional photographer, proclaimed it far better, photographically, than the last time he kayaked there during high water.
For a while it looked like it might be a little cool for a comfortable paddle, but the sun came out and warmed things up just enough for really pleasant paddling conditions. Since the water level was as low as we've seen, narrowing the navigable area of the creek, the 24 paddlers were split into two groups, connected by walkie-talkies provided by the Kilbergs. Although the water level was low, not allowing us to kayak through the trees like we did in June of this year, it naturally exposed the interesting shapes of the cypress tree roots. Jim, our resident professional photographer, proclaimed it far better, photographically, than the last time he kayaked there during high water.
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Park Creek Paddle (11/17/23)
The weather cooperated on the scheduled rain date for the paddle, and the 8 intrepid paddlers that showed up were treated to an awesome paddle through Park Creek, all the way to the Spring Lake area of Hilton Head Plantation. We launched into the marsh from Karen Mazzei's back yard and paddled deep into the marshes of Park Creek, spotting numerous birds and generally enjoying the amazing weather that popped up unexpectedly after a couple of days of pretty crummy weather. Thanks, Karen, for organizing the paddle, and a thank you to everyone for the really great pictures.
The weather cooperated on the scheduled rain date for the paddle, and the 8 intrepid paddlers that showed up were treated to an awesome paddle through Park Creek, all the way to the Spring Lake area of Hilton Head Plantation. We launched into the marsh from Karen Mazzei's back yard and paddled deep into the marshes of Park Creek, spotting numerous birds and generally enjoying the amazing weather that popped up unexpectedly after a couple of days of pretty crummy weather. Thanks, Karen, for organizing the paddle, and a thank you to everyone for the really great pictures.
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Lemon Island Paddle (11/8/23)
Well, we finally had beautiful weather for the Lemon Island paddle, and the paddle turned out to be a terrific trip for the 15 paddlers that attended. Due to the tides, the excursion turned out to be another awesome sunset paddle. The only negative of the day was a bad traffic accident on Rt. 170 that tied up traffic for a long time and derailed dinner plans for a few unfortunate souls that didn't make it to Mangiamo's in time to join those who did make it to the restaurant.
Well, we finally had beautiful weather for the Lemon Island paddle, and the paddle turned out to be a terrific trip for the 15 paddlers that attended. Due to the tides, the excursion turned out to be another awesome sunset paddle. The only negative of the day was a bad traffic accident on Rt. 170 that tied up traffic for a long time and derailed dinner plans for a few unfortunate souls that didn't make it to Mangiamo's in time to join those who did make it to the restaurant.
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Paddle Day (11/5/23)
This day was organized for our members who are looking to purchase a first kayak or upgrade their existing one. Members who have kayaks offered to bring their kayaks to the Rowing and Sailing Center for others to try. We had a reasonable selection of kayaks for people to try and a fair turnout of folks wishing to "test drive" several different types of kayaks, so they could make an informed decision when purchasing. Everyone seemed to enjoy the experience and we would like to offer a big "THANK YOU" to those of you who provided kayaks and helped out.
This day was organized for our members who are looking to purchase a first kayak or upgrade their existing one. Members who have kayaks offered to bring their kayaks to the Rowing and Sailing Center for others to try. We had a reasonable selection of kayaks for people to try and a fair turnout of folks wishing to "test drive" several different types of kayaks, so they could make an informed decision when purchasing. Everyone seemed to enjoy the experience and we would like to offer a big "THANK YOU" to those of you who provided kayaks and helped out.
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May River Paddle (10/18/23)
The paddle went off for the 13 participants without any major issues. The weather was picture perfect, the tides cooperated. and so did the wildlife. We left the Oyster Factory boat ramp and paddled up river for about an hour, seeing birds of several varieties and the occasional dolphin, but on the way back to the launch site, we were treated to a real show when about 8-10 dolphins of all ages were found feeding in the marshes. We were able to watch them rolling and diving for about 10 minutes to cap off the trip. Once we got back and loaded up our kayaks, we enjoyed a terrific lunch at The Old Town Dispensary, in Old Town Bluffton.
The paddle went off for the 13 participants without any major issues. The weather was picture perfect, the tides cooperated. and so did the wildlife. We left the Oyster Factory boat ramp and paddled up river for about an hour, seeing birds of several varieties and the occasional dolphin, but on the way back to the launch site, we were treated to a real show when about 8-10 dolphins of all ages were found feeding in the marshes. We were able to watch them rolling and diving for about 10 minutes to cap off the trip. Once we got back and loaded up our kayaks, we enjoyed a terrific lunch at The Old Town Dispensary, in Old Town Bluffton.
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Skull Creek Sunset Paddle (10/15/23)
Didi and Sebastian led a crowded, but very successful sunset paddle on Skull Creek. A total of 26 people launched from The Rowing and Sailing Center on Squire Pope Rd. and paddled North on Skull Creek to Marker 9A. The weather was absolutely perfect and we had an awesome time. We returned to The Rowing and Sailing Center just after sunset and met up at The Skull Creek Boathouse at 7:30 tor a lovely dinner Thanks to Janis previously arranging with Adam (one of the restaurant managers), all 24 of us who chose to eat dinner with the group were seated within about 15 minutes of arrival on a very busy evening and dinner went off without a hitch.
Didi and Sebastian led a crowded, but very successful sunset paddle on Skull Creek. A total of 26 people launched from The Rowing and Sailing Center on Squire Pope Rd. and paddled North on Skull Creek to Marker 9A. The weather was absolutely perfect and we had an awesome time. We returned to The Rowing and Sailing Center just after sunset and met up at The Skull Creek Boathouse at 7:30 tor a lovely dinner Thanks to Janis previously arranging with Adam (one of the restaurant managers), all 24 of us who chose to eat dinner with the group were seated within about 15 minutes of arrival on a very busy evening and dinner went off without a hitch.
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Fish Haul Creek Paddle (8/18/23)
A total of 10 people launched from Mitchelville Beach and paddled the length of Fish Haul Creek. The weather cooperated and we had a great time except for an unexpected portage, due to an unforeseen rearrangement of the sandbar near the creek entrance. After that, it was clear sailing (paddling) into the marsh, where we saw a lot of wildlife, mostly different kinds of birds and fish that kept trying to jump into out kayaks (the fish, not the birds). On the way back, we paddled through the sound, avoiding another portage, where we had fun on the rolling waves as we made our way back to the beach. We followed up with a nice lunch at the Club Seats Grille on Main Street.
A total of 10 people launched from Mitchelville Beach and paddled the length of Fish Haul Creek. The weather cooperated and we had a great time except for an unexpected portage, due to an unforeseen rearrangement of the sandbar near the creek entrance. After that, it was clear sailing (paddling) into the marsh, where we saw a lot of wildlife, mostly different kinds of birds and fish that kept trying to jump into out kayaks (the fish, not the birds). On the way back, we paddled through the sound, avoiding another portage, where we had fun on the rolling waves as we made our way back to the beach. We followed up with a nice lunch at the Club Seats Grille on Main Street.
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Ebenezer Creek Paddle (6/6/23)
A total of 7 people launched from the Tommy Long Boat Landing, near Rincon, GA, on a warm, beautiful day. Thank you, Pete, for leading the paddle and for ordering the great weather. The scenery, as always, was spectacular, and the water level was high enough to allow us to paddle through the cypress trees. After the paddle, we broke out the chairs and had a wonderful picnic lunch under the shade trees.
A total of 7 people launched from the Tommy Long Boat Landing, near Rincon, GA, on a warm, beautiful day. Thank you, Pete, for leading the paddle and for ordering the great weather. The scenery, as always, was spectacular, and the water level was high enough to allow us to paddle through the cypress trees. After the paddle, we broke out the chairs and had a wonderful picnic lunch under the shade trees.
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Hunting Island Paddle (5/15/23)
A total of 18 people (15 club members and 3 guides from the Island Rec center) launched from a lagoon in Hunting Island State Park and paddled to the ocean, where we walked the beach, explored a dead tree forest (dubbed The Boneyard), and then paddled back to the launch site. Before the paddle began, we had a BYO picnic lunch while waiting for the "perfect" tide, so we could ride with it both directions. Returning with the incoming tide certainly helped offset the not insignificant headwind we faced. Thank you, Ellen, for organizing this trip.
A total of 18 people (15 club members and 3 guides from the Island Rec center) launched from a lagoon in Hunting Island State Park and paddled to the ocean, where we walked the beach, explored a dead tree forest (dubbed The Boneyard), and then paddled back to the launch site. Before the paddle began, we had a BYO picnic lunch while waiting for the "perfect" tide, so we could ride with it both directions. Returning with the incoming tide certainly helped offset the not insignificant headwind we faced. Thank you, Ellen, for organizing this trip.
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Palmetto Bluff Paddle (5/6/23)
Well, this time, the weather held off and we had a nice sunny day to launch from Palmetto Bluff and paddle in the May River. Thank you, Sebastian, for organizing the paddle and, Didi, for the pictures of the outing.
Well, this time, the weather held off and we had a nice sunny day to launch from Palmetto Bluff and paddle in the May River. Thank you, Sebastian, for organizing the paddle and, Didi, for the pictures of the outing.
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Lemon Island Paddle (4/26/23)
Everyone showed up ready to paddle and have a good time, but, unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate. Just as we were ready to launch, a dark cloud band appeared in the sky and everyone decided that it would not be in the best interest of the group to tempt fate. The idea of paddling was abandoned and we started "Happy Hour" a little early at Kelly's in Bluffton. Nobody got much exercise, but everyone still seemed to have a pretty good time. Many stayed for dinner and that's the only picture taken of the outing.
Everyone showed up ready to paddle and have a good time, but, unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate. Just as we were ready to launch, a dark cloud band appeared in the sky and everyone decided that it would not be in the best interest of the group to tempt fate. The idea of paddling was abandoned and we started "Happy Hour" a little early at Kelly's in Bluffton. Nobody got much exercise, but everyone still seemed to have a pretty good time. Many stayed for dinner and that's the only picture taken of the outing.
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Skull Creek Paddle (3/14/23)
The first paddle of 2023 was on Skull Creek with a launch from the Rowing & Sailing Center. It was coordinated by Ellen Kilberg and planned and guided by Nate Skager, Outdoor Recreation Director of the Hilton Recreation Association. While the temperature might not have been optimal, it was still a great trip that was followed by a catered Low Country Boil lunch from Hudsons.
The first paddle of 2023 was on Skull Creek with a launch from the Rowing & Sailing Center. It was coordinated by Ellen Kilberg and planned and guided by Nate Skager, Outdoor Recreation Director of the Hilton Recreation Association. While the temperature might not have been optimal, it was still a great trip that was followed by a catered Low Country Boil lunch from Hudsons.
Click on an image to view a larger version.