A Kayak Expedition for the Everyman

Ralph Earhart Passing Fort Sumter

The expedition took a break to eat, the wind blowing so hard that we had to strapped on our hats. Fortunately, the wind and tide were in the same direction, unfortunately, they were both against us.. If they had been in opposite directions with the velocity both had, the waves would have been large, steep, and breaking, not appropriate for 35-mile recreational paddling expedition.. There was only ½ mile from the lunch break to the turn on to the Stono River.

The group struggled to the Stono River, expecting a smooth fast ride as we turned on to the river. We found, unfortunately, that the wind was coming from the side, creating large waves with whitecaps coming from that direction. Those of us who had not rigged skirts on our cockpits had to “crab” down the river, keeping kayak bows pointed into the waves and moving slightly sideways with the current up the river. A few waves did manage to get into our boats. We wanted to use our pumps, but could not take the time to operate them. We were almost “desperately” sponging out the water with one hand whenever there was a slight break.

The further the we paddled from the open mouth of the river, the more the waves diminished. Because of the land configuration, we entered sections of the river where large waves were confused and whitecaps came from every direction.

Just as the expedition started getting into calmer waters on the Stono River, a big thunderstorm line bore down. With lightning flashes in the distance, and the roll of thunder coming closer, the paddlers got their speed up to 5.5 mph (this is very fast in a kayak!) as we headed for the security of Sol Legare Landing. We landed shortly before the storm hit.

As the storm got closer, the wind picked up and motor boaters who had stayed out too long were coming to the landing and trying to load on their trailers. The rain began to pour, lightning flashed, and waves were crashing as the boaters tried to recover their boats. Some were in danger of swamping and the expedition members walked waist deep into the water and to help them direct their boats on to their trailers. We later learned that the squall line had generated a few tornadoes as it passed through the area.

The lightning passed, the wind and rain subsided, and the paddlers began the final leg of the trip. The tide was with us, pushing us up the river. The wind picked up from behind. There was a continual slight drizzle and thunder rumbled continuously from the east.

Ralph Earhart completing the 35 mile trip

The expedition arrived at Elliotts Cut about 6 PM, one hour after high tide in Charleston. If it had not been for the line of thunderstorms and the continuing drizzle that came after it, we would have arrived at Elliotts Cut earlier and faced the current going against us. There would have been many motor boaters kicking up huge standing waves. The thunderstorm saved the group from that. We rode the current and tide back to Wappoo Cut landing , arriving 12 hours and 10 minutes after beginning.

The tired group pulled their boats out of the water, loaded them on their cars, and went home for a good nights sleep. Would they do it again? Answers have not been forthcoming.

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