Hey, A good friend of mine has moved down there for work and I should visit for few days. I could take the next week off and head down...So, last couple of months I have been eye balling conditions there and using SI for general prediction only to find out that it seems to generally...suck. I at least compared to OCMD and south NJ. I'll still visit but should I even bother to bring my board there? This weekend we might have a bump coming out way but that does not even register there. I could just ride my bike down and not even have to drive if I am not taking the board(s). What am I to expect? I have never been there before and have never gotten out on east coast south of Frisco. Is there a good place for me to paddle out and get wet? Or will I need to rent a SUP and tool around wondering why am I not home in a warm water line up? Thanks guys.
Charleston is an awesome town filled with old homes and a lot of history (at least the oldtown is). It's a great place to visit with lots to do and see. If your only going for a few days I might skip the surfboard and just enjoy the area. You could always bring the board and swing over to the outer banks on the way back although that's many hours out of the way.
folly beach in particular the washout is the surf scene of charleston. i can tell you from living here the surf is usually small to non existent. unless there is a nice swell showing on the charts your best bet is just renting a longboard on folly. like zippy said charleston is an awesome town with tons of history and better yet a college town. i dont know how old you are but if theres no waves theres still plenty to do like checking out all the bars and trying your luck with the college girls. remember this is the real south so bring your manners ; )
Other than the mediocre surf Charleston and Savannah are my favorite cities in the United States. If you go don't miss the Confederate Museum. It might be small and they charge a fee but it is one of the best civil war museums in the country.
Folly was a lot of fun today. Like the rest of the east coast except Hatteras, it doesn't break every day.
The waves might be small but if your are desperate i would take a Kitesurfing lesson or rent a sup. Downtown is a blast on the weekends, as well as Center St. on Folly or the windjammer on IOP. Charleston has something for everyone, waves, women, history, beautiful people/places and smiling faces. Its the Friendliest and Most attractive city in America 3 or 4 years in a row. Dont be another toolbag from Jersey, as someone said bring your manners and you will have fun.
caught a hundred yard left at the pier today and my buddy got a couple little tubes up the beach--but nah the surf sucks here...don't bother
i know nothing about charleston (not even sure why i'm reading this thread, but that's swellinfo for ya) but i do know - unless it's a total hassle - that it's better to have a board and not use it than to want it and not have it...
charleston is a great town, the best antabellum southern town in the us, full of charm and history. great seafood. on the plus side the water will be warm, but the surf is fickle. good rental boards are hard to find, if the charts are showing swell bring a board...
I lived in Charleston for about a year and got some great waves at the Washout. It's a pretty chill scene over there, and the waves were really fun sometimes. As the other folks said, it's still the east coast, and it's a far cry from Hatty. I would also add that I found ZERO other spots with good waves, EVER...but again, I only lived there for one year, so take that for what it's worth...either way have fun! Be sure to hit the town, it's a blast.
Thanks! I am looking forward to it, so I'll toss my dual sport bike and a board in the truck and be on my way. I've heard before it's a great place, plus judging from my friend's rent it's not south style cheap either. Actually I do have the whole kiting set-up but used it last time a year ago in CA. Never got past beginner phase. I'll grab some good food and go for a cruise downtown...I'm probably still (still!) not too old for college chicks but I have no game or whatsoever, so I'll just stick to good food and warm water. Go and roll at Rigan Machado's place, too. And I'll gladly buy any of you a beer or coffee when I am killing time down there!
