McKevlin’s Surf Shop on Folly Beach rents hundreds of surf boards each day during the busy summer season. Some people take surfing lessons while others just paddle around in the waves. Either way, shop manager Brian Eichelman said interest in more adventurous activities is growing.
“The amount of interest in (surfing) has grown in the last five years,” he said. “It’s in the mainstream media now. Even in the Midwest, they are featuring surfing and now everyone wants to try it. The image is more popular.”
Visitors coming to Charleston with outdoor activities on their minds have come to the right place.
The Lowcountry has all the makings for an adventurous vacation – water, nature and an unparalleled ecosystem ripe for exploration.
Last year Outside magazine ranked Charleston No. 6 on its “Best Town Ever” list. Charleston also made it on the magazine’s list of best towns for surfing (East Coast) in 2010, noting “the Charleston area, especially Folly Beach, is home to one of the East Coast’s most vibrant surf scenes.”
But surfing the Washout at Folly is just one of many local adventures visitors are soaking up; others are trying their hand at parasailing, fishing, running, kayaking or one of the many adventure or nature tours.
Kathie Livingston, an ecologist and master naturalist, owns Nature Adventures Outfitters, offering kayak and canoe tours and instruction. With equipment for all ages and experience levels, Livingston can take families kayaking in Shem Creek for some quality time with the dolphins that frequent the creek and the manatees that visit during warm weather.
Read more about Charleston’s outdoor scene in the full article from our spring 2012 issue.
