Charleston, SC Locals...Question about Board Rental

[Manuel V]

Hi local kiters from Charleston,

I would be on vacation in Charleston SC staying on the St Johns Island area from July 2 to 9 2014.
I'm looking for some advice from the local kiters to know if there is a place to rent a kite surfboard and/or a Twin Tips. and to know if they rent equipment by days or by hours. I prefer to use a kite surfboard but if there is no waves I would prefer to rent a TT.

It would be a family vacations but I'm thinking to go kiting some days on the afternoons to Folly Beach area or any other kite spot. My idea is to travel only with one kite (9M kite is ok?) and rent a kite surfboard on the area if it possible.

Thanks

Manuel

[mz16]

You can rent a surfboard at a lot of surfshops right on folly (but i wouldnt tell them you were kiting). FOr a twintip youd have to go over to Mt. Pleasant, to Air. website for them is catchsomeair.us i think they rent

[Geechie Boy]

We have 2 surf shops here on folly that rent boards mostly soft tops or fish shapes not many high performance short boards certainly nothing with straps. Catch some air should have what you need but it is out of the way. If you can't find anything pm me and I'll set you up with something. I have some beaters layin around and a twin tip that never gets used. I'd bring a bigger kite than a 9 we often fly 12 s unless we get lucky.

Chuck

[t3rse]

Do you mean John's Island? There isn't a St. John's that I know of...

As stated above, there isn't anything in the Folly area that is going to be of use.

I don't know about Air & Earth as a rental, but if you are on John's Island you should expect a 45m + drive.

Bring a bigger kite. I fly a 12m, and the rare days I don't I'm on a 7m if that gives you any idea. I have a grunty 10m I play with sometimes but it doesn't depower as well as the 12m.

Expect to be riding in swells and chop. If you want flat water head to IOP (which will be more crowded).

[Manuel V]

T3rse

Sorry you're correct is Johns Island......

The owner of the house I exchange for my apartment says:
Folly is only about 15 mins away and Isle of Palms is about 30 (both depending on traffic).

If it really choppy I would prefer a board with straps!
So the waves on Folly beach are more wind waves than swell waves?

Geechie Boy,

Thanks for your offer I would send you a PM if I decide to don't travel with one of my kitesurfboards!

I love my new REO 9M but I also have a RPM 11M 2014 that I have used like 3 times only but that probably would be the kite for this trip. I'm not to heavy (160 lbs) so in 15 to 17 knots I can ride a 9M, I always prefer to ride the smaller kite. I would check the forecast two days before departure to decide which kite I would bring. Maybe I can bring the 11M RPM and a Rally 9M in a bag with one bar only.

It would be a pleassure and a honor to meet and ride with some local riders....
if sometime you decide to travel to Puerto Rico you're welcome!

[t3rse]

When you get past the break the swells are all wind and can crest pretty far offshore in good winds. The actual shore break is tiny and mushy usually. I ride a skimboard at times without too many issues unless the current is stupid strong and then it's a pain when you wash out the board flies down wind.

I think you will be good the entire time with your 11m.

I would add quite a bit of travel time. That time of the year there will be significant traffic.

[Manuel V]

Thanks for the advice....... I dont have a skimboard the only small board I have is a
5'4" firewire Vanguard and the other option is my TT Shinn Monk forever.

[adamj2281]

Yeah, you will be fine on a 11m, I'm 185 lbs. and ride a 10m a lot of the time, especially when we hit that 15-17 knot range, which most of the days that are rideable are in that range.

If you want some flat water, Folly Beach County Park actually has some nice spots, just have to buy daily pass, but good place to ride, plenty of setup space, etc.

PM me for any other information.

[t3rse]

Yeah, you will be fine on a 11m, I'm 185 lbs. and ride a 10m a lot of the time, especially when we hit that 15-17 knot range, which most of the days that are rideable are in that range.

If you want some flat water, Folly Beach County Park actually has some nice spots, just have to buy daily pass, but good place to ride, plenty of setup space, etc.

PM me for any other information.

The park is where I go almost exclusively. There is a pond (that has shrunken to a tiny pool) and if you ride into the river mouths or behind the island there are some flat areas but even at the southern tip it's generally choppy.

If you park outside the park you can make the 1/4 mile walk to the end and it's free. Remember when parking on Folly roads that in many areas (especially on the south end) you can't park on the inland side of the road (on the main road that runs parallel to the beach) and your vehicle must be pointing the direction of traffic (NE) and your tires must not touch the road (and don't park on corners) or you will get a ticket. Even if there is room to park mutiple vehicles if they pull in at an angle, don't. That said, road tickets are cheaper than leaving-your-car-in-a-paid-beach-access-spot-for-too-long tickets.

This might come in handy: http://www.tidesfollybeach.com/surfcam/

During heavy traffic periods, get on the road early, or the last two miles to Folly will take an hour.

[Manuel V]

adamj2281 and t3rse,

Thanks for the information.
I would go to the Folly Beach County Park spots looks interesting..............

I would send you PM a few days of my trip to see if I can meet you guys on this trip.

I'm thinking on send my TT a week before the trip thru priority mail ($55 aprox).
Because I'm flying thru Delta and they charge $150 for kiteboards each way, that is ridiculous.

I have a "golf bag" but maybe that would be a lottery if the counter guy decide to open it.

Thanks

Manuel