A Weekend for Outdoor Enthusiasts at Charleston Outdoor Festival
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This year’s Charleston Outdoor Festival took place at James Island County Park from April 21-23 and saw over 1,500 participants throughout the 3-day event. The weekend featured opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts of all levels interested in canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, rock climbing, slacklining, mountain biking, archery, and even disc golf. The nationally-sanctioned Palmetto Pump & USA Climbing Competition drew over 50 climbers to the Climbing Wall on Saturday, while the King of the Hill Mountain Bike Race offered a short-track race with various divisions and heats on Sunday.
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Participants from all over the country converged on Charleston to also partake in the 27th annual East Coast Paddlesports Symposium, spending three days in classroom lectures and on-water basics and master classes led by some of the top instructors in the field. Werner Paddle awarded participant Duane Orr “Most Improved Paddler,” and Kokatat PFD awarded Anne Wessman “Most Improved Paddler.”
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Throughout the weekend, 1,202 “Try It” participants of all ages came out to the festival to demo boats from CCPRC and the exhibitors in the Vendor Village, as well as try out all the other activities offered. The Cardboard Canoe Race on Sunday saw 11 boats made completely of cardboard racing on the lake. Beautiful weather made for a great weekend for all to enjoy the many offerings in the world of outdoor adventure and paddlesports.