FD Outdoors

Ready to get you self rescue on? Join us May 31 from 9-1pm Lakes on Johns Island for H20 Rescue: The right combination.

https://www.meetup.com/Low-Country-Paddlesports/events/270439412/

H20 Rescue : The right combination! Sun, May 31, 2020, 9:00 AM: Note: With Covid-19 we are taking all training opportunities as fluid entities. Go-No decisions will be made on the most recent information available and always in accordan

PSA......Join us Friday evening at 8pm our first "Let's talk kayaking" live event!

Let's talk kayaking! Open forum to discuss all things kayaking and a chance to ask questions (and hopefully get answers)

Now is a great time to tackle basic boat maintenance tasks. FDOutdoors.com has been busy putting together videos to help you out. New ones are dropping each week on our channel, so be sure to get on the subscriber list!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7_QNtu-dH0&t=27s

FDOutdoors Boat Maintenance Series : 4 things to think about 46 mins of sea kayak maintenance goodness!

ERCK Trail pics from Jan 17 -19

Dec 29th Pool Session Trip Report: With 3 lanes to ourselves, it was a beautiful thing for sure. Right out to the gate I hit my first (2) cartwheels and from there on it was stupid fun. I have not been in my Project X for an entire year. Lean Cleans to vertical stern stalls. Rock-a-byes to cartwheels and power blunts to front stalls. All good and felt great. Meanwhile at the other end of the pool my man Philip was dialing in his forward finish roll. Even busted out the hand paddles for Philip to try out. Two solid hours of growth in 80 agree water. Come join us every Sunday from now until May 2020 and get your pool session on! See you next Sunday! Beer and pizza afterwards.

https://www.meetup.com/Low-Country-Paddlesports/events/mzkkmrybccbhb/

Winter Pool Sessions : The Lab returns for it's 3rd season! Sun, Jan 5, 2020, 1:00 PM: Cold weather cramping your paddling style? No worries! Join the LCP in keeping your skills sharp through the winter with (18) scheduled pool sessions! You can work on your s

Interested in exploring the Edisto River trail? Check out this upcoming trip via FD Outdoors from Jan 17 -19. Space is limited to 6.

https://www.meetup.com/Low-Country-Paddlesports/events/266104351/

2nd Annual 20 Mile State Park Hop! : Main Stem of the Edisto River Expedition Fri, Jan 17, 2020, 7:00 AM: The Skinny:What we will do and when we will do it:Our group in two days will paddle 20 miles of the 300 mile Edisto River from Green Pond Church Landing down to Gihvans Fer

For Immediate Release: Super stoked to announce FD Outdoors new partnership with The Palmetto Experience in Columbia SC. There is going to be some awesome programming coming out in 2020. Stay tuned for details!

https://www.thepalmettoexperience.com/

THE PALMETTO EXPERIENCE

"Are you ok?" So I will get back to that in a minute but wanted to set the stage first. Nice cool Sunday afternoon. A perfect day to go and practice some cold water self rescues. Drove over to Paradise Island boat landing and got kitted up and hit the water. About 10 rolls into the paddle I notice that small John boat puttering by and the guy driving it ask me "Are you ok"? My response was simple, "Yes I am practicing thank you" As he continued on by with his wife / girlfriend I got to thinking. In my response I should have said yes are you? In the brief minute of our exchange I noticed a great deal about this boat and its occupants.

1) Neither was wearing a PFD. In fact none were visible at all
2) Both were wearing clothing not suitable for possible immersion
3) Both were drinking.

Let those sink in for a minute as I add some more color to the backstory. The air temp was 61 with a wind out of the north at about 8 knots. The current water temp is 57 and the tide was coming in pushing away from the landing. I personally was wearing an NRS Crux drysuit with H2Core base and cool being in the water but comfortable enough to adequately perform my rescues.

As my day of paddle float rescue, rolls and cowboys continued, I noticed more of the same; power boats with no PFDs and cotton clothes. There was also a guy fishing from a kayak (looked like a Tarpon) and he was in the same boat so to speak minus the beer. Amazing and he was standing up.

Think about the following:

In water < 60° F

-Reflex gasp – may aspirate water resulting in laryngospasm
-Hyperventilation for several minutes, flushes CO2
-Confusion and dizziness
-Possible muscle tetany
-Reduces breath-holding time to 1/3 of normal ability.
-may not be able to swim for more than 15 minutes

It truly amazes me the disrespect and blatant carelessness that I see on the water this time of year.

Please don't get me wrong. I do try to educate folks, not talk down to them. Some seem interested and some clearly don't care.

So back to that boater's "are you ok? question. Yeah, I am just fine.... you might want to check yourself.

PSA: FD Outdoors is now offering the following course : Opioid Overdose and Bystander Use of Naloxone. This lay rescuer / professional (1) hour course focuses on identifying potential opioid overdoses and management with transfer to definitive care. As a trained lay rescuer in South Carolina, you are allowed to carry and administer Naloxone (Narcan).

No fun at all today! Well actually my homies Larry and Lee did great! Eddy catching yes! Swimming yes! Ferrying yes! These guys are growing so fast and it’s super rewarding! . Also great to give John Derrick a big hug and see Dan Turner and Kris Orton.

Wednesday Working (and retired) Person's Evening Paddle Post Trip Report: (6) in attendance and we had a great time paddling out from Shem Creek into Mount Pleasant channel, up to Crab Bank. From there wee paralleled Crab Banks smaller islands heading down towards Sullivans Island before breaking left and heading towards Pitt Street Bridge. From there it was a smooth ride home on the incoming tide with a dolphin es**rt. What better way could you want to end a Wednesday? Great job Tony, Tina, Ryan, Phillip and Don! As always drinks and fellowship followed.

It's back! Come join FD Outdoors for our second annual Main Stem of the Edisto State Park Hop. This 30 mile (2) day paddle takes us down the upper part of the Edisto River Trail. Glamping will be at Colleton and Gihvans state parks. Get all the deets here and reserve your spot now as space is limited.

https://www.meetup.com/Low-Country-Paddlesports/events/266104351/?isFirstPublish=true

2nd Annual 20 Mile State Park Hop! : Main Stem of the Edisto River Expedition Fri, Jan 17, 2020, 7:00 AM: The Skinny:What we will do and when we will do it:Our group in two days will paddle 20 miles of the 300 mile Edisto River from Green Pond Church Landing down to Gihvans Fer

Winter 2019 Pool Sessions are HERE! The lab is open for business for it's 3rd season starting Dec 29th.

https://www.meetup.com/Low-Country-Paddlesports/events/xdpdkryzqbmc/

Winter Pool Sessions : The Lab returns for it's 3rd season! Sun, Dec 29, 2019, 1:00 PM: Cold weather cramping your paddling style? No worries! Join the LCP in keeping your skills sharp through the winter with (18) scheduled pool sessions! You can work on your

Come join FD Outdoors for a FREE Environmental Emergencies management clinic Sat Dec, 07 1pm -4pm at Wando Mount Pleasant Library!

https://www.meetup.com/Low-Country-Paddlesports/events/266072229/?rv=co1&_xtd=gatlbWFpbF9jbGlja9oAJDRkMDgzZjk4LTc1YTgtNGU0Yi04OTYxLTMwN2Q1YjA2NmVhMg

Managing Environmental Emergencies : A common sense approach : FREE Sat, Dec 7, 2019, 1:00 PM: This free clinic is designed to spread awareness and preparedness for those that spend time engaged in outdoor activities all year round. Kayakers, hikers, bicyclists or cam

How bout' them PFDs? See them anywhere in this video......?

https://www.cnn.com/videos/travel/2019/08/16/glacier-collapse-kayakers-alaska-ya-orig.cnn

Watch a giant glacier collapse in front of two kayakers - CNN Video Andrew Hooper and Josh Bastyr were kayaking near Spencer Glacier in Alaska when they heard cracking noises. Moments later, the massive glacier collapsed right in front of them.

Getting geared up for Swiftwater Rescue basics Day 1! Always be learning!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Kayakers, swimmers, anglers, water sports enthusiasts, divers and pet owners. Please review the following important information from the CDC regarding toxic Algae.

https://www.cdc.gov/habs/?fbclid=IwAR0nXsa1YZQJ39fsdMEgtnljlJEshm5uC8hhJFxTuBD3WxtSQcTvXGYlP0M

Harmful Algal Bloom-Associated Illnesses | CDC

So what is on the other side? Why the Ashley River of course. Come join me on the original working person's paddle this coming Friday for a paddle across the harbor. We will circumnavigate Castle Pickey along the way!

https://www.meetup.com/Low-Country-Paddlesports/events/mzvmtqyzlbvb/

So who got 3 unassisted rolls today? This guy! Larry Spell 72 years young ! Way to get it Larry ! Always be learning and never quit!

Trophy Lakes and FDOutdoors....a great combo!

Getting ready for another great morning of whitewater instruction in the low country!

PSA: Don't forget that each week (Wednesday and Fridays : alternating) we offer our 100% Working Person's Paddle from 6pm to 8pm. The venue cycles and it is a great opportunity for you to meet local paddlers, practice some new skills, unwind and smile. Low skills? Mad skills? No problem. Everyone is welcome. Need gear? Full rental packages are available at request. What is your why? Come on out and enjoy the original weekday evening paddle!

Join Low Country Paddlesports Meetup to get all the deets and stay in the know!

https://www.meetup.com/Low-Country-Paddlesports/events/

Upcoming events | Low Country Paddlesports (Mount Pleasant, SC) Upcoming events for Low Country Paddlesports in Mount Pleasant, SC. A Meetup group with over 1021 LCP Kayakers.

So I am always looking for neat gear. I wanted to to share with everyone a really great option for folks looking for a "wing" style kayak transport system. Oak Orchard Kayak and Canoe Experts of Rochester NY make the Gullwing brand saddle. I previewed a set about 6 months ago for my Malone trailer rig and really was impressed. So much so the I purchased another set and talked them into letting be me be an unofficial spokesman for their brand her in SC. If you are looking for a new support system for your sea kayak, check out the all ABS made to order Gullwings from Oak Orchard. They DON'T RUST and more importantly the won't oil can your LDPE whip. Get the deets at : https://www.oakorchardcanoe.com

What an amazing weekend of instruction and student growth! Basic safety and rescue with KS Kayaks Sat and a private Strokes and Concepts session on Sunday. Head over to FDOutdoors.com and pick up your own fabulous 4 pack ( 4 blocks of 2 hours = 8 hrs) and let's design your ultimate personal paddle program. Applicable to Sea Kayaking, Whitewater and SOTs.

Got SOTs?

Got SOTs? @ FDO we are now offering SOT (Sit On Top) kayak instruction geared towards self rescue and efficient paddle stroke technique. We make training easy with our "have it your way fabulous 4 -pack". Head over to FDOutdoors.com com and get your's today!

Got SOTs? @ FDO we are now offering SOT (Sit On Top) kayak instruction geared towards self rescue and efficient paddle stroke technique. We make training easy with our "have it your way fabulous 4 -pack". Head over to FDOutdoors.com com and get your's today!

Looking for something to do?

2019 Kayak Instruction schedule| Charleston SC | FD Outdoors Looking for the best kayak instruction in Charleston SC? You have come to the right place. Be it Sea Kayaking, recreational kayaking or whitewater kayaking, FDO has you covered. Let Souteast Regional Ambassador for Wilderness Systems Kayaks Greg Winch show you world class instruction!

Looking for something to do? Checking out the FDO 2019 Schedule of events. There is something for everyone!

https://www.fdoutdoors.com/2019-schedule

2019 Kayak Instruction schedule| Charleston SC | FD Outdoors Looking for the best kayak instruction in Charleston SC? You have come to the right place. Be it Sea Kayaking, recreational kayaking or whitewater kayaking, FDO has you covered. Let Souteast Regional Ambassador for Wilderness Systems Kayaks Greg Winch show you world class instruction!