Journal | Charleston Ocean Athletes

Mac

Sep 222 min read

Sullivan's Island Sandbars Update

Well, it's that time of year again. It's been six months since I last documented the sandbars off Sullivan's Island. Par for the course, we've had some interesting weather in that time. And of course, the sandbars have indeed shifted around.

Why is this relevant to Charleston Ocean Athletes? Because Sullivan's Island is a major playground for many of us. Those sandbars dictate where we have flat water, bump and jump, and wave conditions.

I last took drone photos and video of the Sullivan's Island sandbars on March 14, 2024 at dead low tide. It was a negative low tide of -0.5'.

I flew the drone again this past week during this recent king tides period, on September 18th at dead low tide, again with a negative low tide of -0.5'. So the comparisons should be apt.

Its a challenge to get the exact same angle and altitude each time I fly the drone. Notice some of the angles and altitude are a little different in the comparison photos below, so take that into account.

I'm way overdue on doing a time lapse photo comparison of the south Folly Beach sandbars. I intend to get down there as soon as possible for some new photos and video. Stay tuned for that.

Here's looking north at Breach Inlet. The sandbar mass to the right has split up into sections. The area around Station 29 and Station 30 seems to have lost some sand. It slopes to the water differently. Even walking in that area, you can tell sand has been lost compared to earlier this year.

Another comparison view of the Breach Inlet sandbars

A closer view of Station 30

Station 28.5 - the pond is bigger, and it's interesting to see how that little canal to the ocean has straightened out

Outside of Station 28.5, looking south towards the lighthouse. Sand has been lost along this stretch. Notice there's more of a slope of the beach towards the water along that long stretch of the beach.

Another view towards the lighthouse, just from further out. The altitude (and bad lighting) in the March 2024 photo is definitely higher than the September 2024 photo, so this comparison may a little skewed.

Now...check out these quad comparison photos dating back a year and a half to April 2023...

Breach Inlet

Breach Inlet sandbars

Station 30

Station 28.5

Looking south towards the lighthouse and harbor entrance

360 degree video view from outside Station 28.5 - September 18th, 2024 - negative low tide -0.5'

More photos from September 18, 2024...

Outside Station 28.5 looking north towards Breach Inlet

Station 28.5 and slight view to the south

Station 28.5 and slight view to the north

Breach Inlet sandbars

Breach Inlet sandbars looking towards Isle of Palms

Another view of the Breach Inlet sandbars looking towards Isle of Palms

Further outside Station 28.5 looking towards Breach Inlet

Longer view of the sandbars outside Breach Inlet

Station 28.5 close-up

Station 28.5 and looking south towards the lighthouse

Looking south towards the lighthouse and harbor entrance

Further outside looking south towards the lighthouse and the harbor entrance

Mac

Jun 82 min read

Ocean Athletes Night

Updated: Jun 20

Mex1 on Sullivan's Island recently hosted Ocean Athletes Night on Thursday, May 30th. It was co-sponsored by Charleston Ocean Athletes, Force Kite & Wake, Cabrinha, and Pacifico. It was a fun evening with a big turnout of the local surf, wind, paddle, and foil community. We enjoyed Mex1's food and drink, watched local & global action films, talked story, and reveled in the camaraderie.

The community - that's what it's all about. We may have differences amongst us in terms of opinions, belief systems, and life experiences but one thing we share in common is our love of being out on the water. Charleston Ocean Athletes celebrates you. Ride everything. Ride anything.

I heard some great comments and feedback on the event such as "It was great seeing everyone", "It was awesome to have the community together like that", and "I am inspired to get out in the water after watching the films." That's why we put on this event.

Speaking of films, the local films that premiered at this event were a big hit. Here they are...

This new one from yours truly, Charleston Ocean Athletes:

Guiding Light Drones (Syd Meyer) premiered an exciting new kiteboarding short film:

In addition, we showed this little teaser of a new project that Charleston Ocean Athletes and Guiding Light Drones are working on together. Syd of Guiding Light Drones did a great job of filming and editing this teaser clip for a local womens' specific kiteboarding short film we're working on. Stay tuned for the premiere date announcement!

Force Kite & Wake also premiered a new short film of local kiteboarding and prone surf foiling:

And...we also showed this Charleston Ocean Athletes short film that premiered last year:

What a great evening! A big thank you to Mex1 and the other sponsors!

Follow Charleston Ocean Athletes and Mex1 on Instagram for future Ocean Athletes Night events.

Mac

Mar 162 min read

How Did The December 17th Nor'easter Affect The Breach Inlet Sandbars?

I last documented the Sullivan's Island and Breach Inlet sandbars on November 29th, 2023. Right after that on December 17th, a fierce nor'easter storm walloped our coast. Isle of Palms famously (or perhaps, infamously) lost a ton of sand from the south side. Approximately 20 ocean front homes' swimming pools were washed out and damaged beyond repair. Many wooden walkways and stairs were washed away into Breach Inlet. There were more minor storms since then that took even more sand away. You've probably seen the excavators and bulldozers working overtime from the Breach Inlet parking lot on Isle of Palms.

All that lost sand? Not surprisingly, it's in Breach Inlet and off Sullivan's Island. Many of our local Charleston Ocean Athletes play in these waters, so hopefully the following documented changes help give everyone an idea of where the sandbars are. This affects where and how we launch and where to play given the tide conditions. Boaters will also find this information helpful.

I wanted to document the sandbar changes but wanted to wait a bit closer to spring. I finally went back out with my drone on Thursday, March 14th at dead low tide.

Following are the results. The comparison photos are at dead low tide November 29th, 2023 and March 14th, 2024. As always, the changes are fascinating.