The 7th Annual Barrier Island ECOthon presented by Barrier Island Eco Tours is this Sunday, October 23 and is a unique charitable fundraiser for the Charleston Tibetan Society. The ECOthon focuses on appreciating nature & outdoor experiences along this epic journey. Much thanks to our sponsors including:
Here's some IMPORTANT INFO on the ECOthon weekend schedule, gear & safety.
SCHEDULE
~ Sat, 10/22 from 5 to 7 pm ~ Packet pickup at Try Sports (Ste 102, 1903 U.S. 17, Mount Pleasant, SC, 843-849-9292 ) in Mt Pleasant's Town Centre. They'll have any last minute gear you might need.
~ USA Triathlon is sanctioning the ECOthon and requires your photo ID, and one of the following: a current USAT membership card, a $10 one day license or an annual membership of $39. I'll have forms available for USAT membership. USAT requires a photo ID for ALL participants including ALL relays teams, so don't forget your drivers license! NO PICTURE ID, NO RACE.
~ 7:30 - 8:30 am CHECK-IN & SET-UP BIKE & PADDLING DEVICE beginning at sunrise. EVERYONE must check-in so we know how many souls will be enjoying the ECOthon experience. Then setup your bike on Morgan Creek Grill's lawn on racks provided by Holy City Coop. Finally, stage your kayak, SUP board or other self propelled floatation device near the boat ramp. For those renting from Coastal Expeditions,there will also be a kayak orientation meeting.
~ 8:30 am ~ PRErace meeting to review safety & course one more time as well as to answer any remaining questions, then start to LAUNCH kayaks, SUP boards, or other self propelled floatation device.
~ 9 am ~ START of the ECOthon at ~60 degrees & 10 mph winds.~ 11 am ~ Low tide at ~65 degrees.
~ 12:30 pm ~ fastest finishers with the majority finishing between 4.5 to 5.5 hours, so 1:30 to 2:30.
NATURAL ELEMENTS Sunday's NOAA forecast is calling for mostly sunny skies with highs ~70 degrees with a steady 10 mph wind so remember the sun screen. The ocean temp is still around 70 degrees, so quite comfortable. I highly recommend drinking sufficient amounts of water to achieve your adequate hydration level before getting to the Marina.
HYDRATION I highly recommend drinking sufficient amounts of water to achieve your proper hydration level before getting to the Marina on Sunday, and recommend bringing enough of your own favorite fluid on the paddle/kayak sections as well as for the final biking section. I'll provide water stations on the north end of Dewees Island as well as on Capers Island, and at the Marina.
GEAR & SAFETY:
~ KAYAK ~ If you are planning on renting a kayak from Coastal Expeditions & you haven't contacted them yet, please call them ASAP at 843-884-7684 . They'll have it ready for you at the start and will pick it up after, so quite convenient, in addition to providing PFD and whistle.
Everyone needs some unique method to identify your kayak with an effective marker to make it easier to distinguish from the many others that will be lined up on the south end of Dewees Island.
~ A Personal Floatation Device (Coast Guard Type III) are required to be worn during all paddle sections.
~ WHISTLE will be a necessity and verified by an ECOthon volunteer before entering the water for the kayak and swims, so make sure you've got one! Coastal Expeditions PFD's have one attached that can be removed and replaced... I highly recommend you getting a whistle of your own to carry with you of life's daily adventures because they could save your life or someone you know in an emergency.
~ SWIM ~ Make sure you have a whistle before entering the water and look to see where the currents are moving the swimmers to see where you should enter the water. Feel free to ask someone where to enter the water if you have any question. Also, you'll be responsible for keeping you shoes dry if you wish during the crossing. Fins are allowed, however they must be carried during the Dewees beach run and can be left on Capers Beach during the run on Boneyard Beach. Since safety is first, the Isle of Palms Fire Department & ECOthon volunteers will be in safety boats during the paddle and swim sections so if you need assistance, just whistle!! Of course, if you hear someone whistling and you can be of service, please take care of your fellow ECOthoner until more help can arrive.
~ BIKE ~ Helmets must be worn properly before leaving the transition area and on the entire bike course until crossing finish line. While biking you are required to follow ALL traffic laws and will be immediately DQ'd if found in violation. There are several stop signs and a traffic light; please follow traffic signals. The bike course is not closed, meaning open to traffic and only a couple volunteers on the course but it will be marked at turns with cones, small shark signs, OR even pink ribbon, SO STONGLY SUGGEST you study the course map and if needed, make small notes or a print out to take along with you on the bike.
~ CLOTHING ~ Highest recommendation is COMFORT! This varies between people, so also recommend light and moisture wicking tops & bottoms as well as supportive footware.
Looking forward to seeing ya'll soon.
