Boats and boaters: On the water
Sailing Program, docks may be headed for Shem Creek
Abi Nicholas
The Post and Courier
Mount Pleasant gives initial OK for park planned for late 2009.
After several tacks in the past two years, the plan for a recreational sailing program in Mount Pleasant may be finding its course.
Mount Pleasant Town Council approved on July 8 to submit to contractors a plan for a town sailing program and facility to be included in the master plan of the Shem Creek Bailey Docks.
The recommendation came from an expert sailing advisory team of the Recreation Committee. The team suggested that a community sailing center be located at the Bailey Docks instead of the previously suggested Memorial Waterfront Park, a $14 million, 22-acre project scheduled to open next year on Memorial Day weekend.
This does not mean that the sailing program has final approval to be a part of the Bailey Docks Project, said R.L. Jones Center Office Manager Cathy Guerry, who attended the July 8 meeting. “It’s just another step forward.”
Local lawyer William J. Hamilton III started a grass-roots campaign more than two years ago, pushing for a sailing center at the park below the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. He calls the effort “Against the Wind — Save Our Sailing Center.” But concerns about the safety of sailing near the Ravenel Bridge and the shipping channel caused Town Council to nix the location in March.
Following that decision, the Recreation Committee proposed a dock at Alhambra Hall. Committee Chairman Gary Santos said the site would be safer than sailing from the pier at Memorial Waterfront Park because of Crab Bank, a protected bird rookery at the mouth of Shem Creek between Alhambra Hall and the shipping channel.
After neighborhood opposition sunk that proposal, Mayor Harry Hallman appointed an expert sailing advisory committee to research existing facilities east of the Cooper that could potentially house a community sailing program. The committee members include a harbor pilot, a former captain of the port and a former head of U.S. Sailing, with Miles Martschink, a board member of
Charleston Community Sailing and an avid local sailor, serving as chairman.
At the July 2 Recreation Committee meeting, Martschink said that, of all the areas in Mount Pleasant for teaching beginning sailing, the area behind Crab Bank, the Old Village and the east side of Patriots Point is the best area — it has a good breeze, is safe and does not have current compared to other areas of the harbor, he said. The Bailey Docks, located a couple hundred yards away, give great access to that area.
The town acquired the Bailey Docks in January as part of a $6 million deal that included 43.5 acres of marshland on Shem Creek and 1.5 acres of highland, most of it known as the OK Tire property.
The committee reported the Bailey Docks as the best site for a community sailing program because it is a no wake zone, the primary vessels being recreational 15- to 25-footers. Commercial boats are also unlikely to enter and exit during the times that sailing instruction would take place.
Plans for the site suggest a floating dock with a small storage building and a marine toilet. Town Administrator Mac Burdette estimated that it would take six to eight months to create the master plan. Construction drawing aspects of the plan could begin by spring of next year, he said, and the site could be under construction by the fall of next year.
The committee said that the site may be usable in the interim with a floating dock and an access route.
The sailing committee researched several other locations and explained at the July 2 meeting why they were not as suitable as the Bailey Docks:
• Pitt Street Bridge: The site is too expensive and not logistically plausible.
• Patriots Point: Substantial funds would be needed to build a dock or pier that would cross wide areas of marsh and mud.
• USS Yorktown: The existing floating dock is a possibility but would need to be expanded significantly.
• Charleston Harbor Marina: The town could rent space to establish a program, but there are rules and regulations preventing staff from interacting with youth sailors. (The College of Charleston sailing program operates out of this location, however, so it has proven to be a successful site for a sailing program.)
Ski champs carve Trophy Lakes
Provided by Matt Dubon
The South Carolina Waterski State Championships returned to Trophy Lakes on Johns Island July 12-13.
Some of the best slalom skiers, jumpers and trick skiers from across the state competed in the tournament, including defending Mens 1 (age 18-25) Overall State Champion Matt Du-Bon, manager at Trophy Lakes. The competition was open to all USA Waterski members of all ages and abilities.
Trophy Lakes, one the world’s premier waterski sites and home to four world records, also will host a pro event Aug. 30-31. The festival-like event will feature the top slalom jumpers in the world and will include slalom and jumping after dark, food vendors, boat dealers, kids activities, live music and special sales on water-sports equipment.
State championships results
BOYS 9 AND UNDER: Will Lyon, trick.
BOYS 13 AND UNDER: Colin Robinson, overall champion.
BOYS 17 AND UNDER: Kyle Shirley, slalom; Will Harrison, trick; Brandon Cordina, jump; Kyle Shirley, overall.
GIRLS 13 AND UNDER: Victoria Hills, slalom.
GIRLS 17 AND UNDER: Kelsea Shirley, slalom; Kelsea Shirley, trick; Summer McNairy, jump; Summer McNairy, overall.
MENS 18-24: Tom Henderson, slalom; Matt DuBon and Austin Abel, trick; Matt DuBon, jump; Matt DuBon, overall.
MENS 25-34: Graham Fizer, slalom;
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