Living the Sports Lifestyle in the Lowcountry

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Welcome to the best sports, recreation and fitness mecca in the United States! The Greater
Charleston area has the most active and competitive recreational enthusiasts, per capita, than
anywhere else in the states. Noble bragging yes, but the locals know it to be true. And until another sports-driven, metropolitan area challenges us – we will hold on to our banner in pride! We challenge another area to prove they can as well, provide A-Z in sports action! Sports activities for the visitor and local resident – it is all here for you! – compiled by the Charleston Metro Sports Council

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ARENA SPORTS – SOCCER AND DODGEBALL
Arena City Soccer and Sports is a year-round facility with recreational arena soccer and dodgeball leagues. GO! PH#: 843-763-6080

ADULT TEAM SPORTS
Each local recreational department offers a number of league play for all skill levels. The Charleston Sports and Social Club offers adult recreation team sports for softball, football, kickball, soccer, beach and indoor volleyball, frisbee golf, and more. GO! www.charlestonssc.com

AUTOCROSS
The South Carolina Charleston Chapter of the Sports Car Club of America conducts an annual autocross school. www.scsportscar.com

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BADMINTON
Charleston has a local club of badminton enthusiasts. Open play at the College of Charleston’s Johnson Center gym. GO! www.badmintoncharleston.com

BASEBALL
A number of elite teams and clubs are available for the aspiring young baseball player.

Check out Diamond Devils Baseball, GO! www.diamonddevils.org, and Mt. Pleasant’s Diamond Warriors, GO! www.diamondwarriors.org.

The local chapter of the national Men’s Adult Baseball League (MABL) was formed in 1992 and the season runs from May to August. GO! www.cmabl.com. Also, refer to separate listing of “Charleston Area Recreation Departments.”

BASKETBALL
Refer to separate listing of “Charleston Area Recreation Departments.”

BEACH SPORTS
Charleston County’s coastline has ample open public beach front access for swimming, surfing, paddelball, bocce and even non-traditional sports. The primary beaches are Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, Folly Beach, Edisto Beach, Seabrook and Kiawah Islands. GO! www.ccprc.com

BEACH TENNIS
First U.S. exhibition of this hybrid sport was held in May 2005 at the Charleston Maritime Festival. Now, the area is home to a Beach Tennis USA licensee group, Carolina Beach Tennis. Local competitors have been featured on The Tennis Channel. GO! www.cptltennis.com and www.beachtennisusa.net

BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Daniel Island has been a stop on the AVP Crocs Tour – The Charleston Open. In addition, the EVP Tour makes a stop at Isle of Palms' Windjammer once a year. GO! www.evptour.com.
And for recreational fun, the Charleston Beach Volleyball & Social Club is available with league play in the fall. GO! www.charlestonvolleyball.net

BIKING
See Cycling & Outdoor Adventure Program.

BOATING
Some own, some lease and then some choose to have friends who have boats!

• Where to Buy
Charleston is host to a number of boat expos each year. The Charleston Area Convention Complex is the site for the Charleston Boat Show each January. Maritime Events/City Marina Co. host an in-water boat show each April. GO! www.charlestonspringboatshow.com

• Where to Launch
14 Chas County PRC public boat landings, GO! www.ccprc.com

• Where to Dock
More than 10 marinas along the inland waterway, including the Charleston Maritime Center, the host site for maritime activities. GO! www.ci.charleston.sc.us

• Where to Eat
Many restaurants at Shem Creek in Mt. Pleasant’s Old Village cater to diners by water. www.townofmountpleasant.com

BOCCE
Special Olympics of the Lowcountry hosts the region’s best corporate team challenge each year, the Bocce Bash, with close to 120 companies enjoying a day of competitive fun.
www.boccebash.com

BODYBUILDING
The NPC JR. USA Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure Championships are held at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center each May. GO! www.npcjrusa.com

BOXING
Many locals practice their skills at Hurricane Boxing, a full service, state of the art boxing venue and practice facility for the College of Charleston Boxing Club. Boxers and enthusiasts at all levels are welcome. www.boxinggyms.com/hurricane.htm

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CANOE
See Kayak and Canoe

CHEER
See Dance and Cheer.

CYCLING
Charleston is home to the Lowcountry VW Racing Team, an amateur-level racing organization, GO! www.lowcountryvwracing.com.

A number of short circuit and criterium races are held annually. FestiVELO includes five days of all size tours, including a century and metric century tour in Charleston. GO! www.festivelo.org. This event along with many other activities are presented by the local Coastal Cyclists organization. GO! www.coastalcyclists.org. Other local groups include, www.summervillecyclist.org and http://holycitybikecoop.org

CYCLING – TRAILS
No mountains at the coast, but the Francis Marion Park and Swamp Fox National Recreation Trail offer perfect terrain with a number of trails. GO! www.sctrails.net and www.dirtworld.com.

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DANCE AND CHEER
For young adults, there is a huge influx of national and regional youth dance and cheer competitions, with major events scheduled annually including the Hollywood Vibe Dance Competition, at the Charleston Area Convention Center Complex. For schedules, GO! www.charlestonconvention.com

DANCE – SHAGGING
Charleston is often recognized for the city where the popular dance of the ’20s was created, known as “The Charleston.” On the other hand, or foot, The Shag has been declared the state’s official dance. Since the early ’60s, The Shag has been the favorite adult dance. GO! www.charlestonshagclub.com and www.islandersshagclub.com

DISABLE SPORTS
Charleston has a number of proactive organizations to meet the needs of both youth and adults with disabilities, including physical and intellectual:

• Charleston Miracle League, a special field for disable children to play baseball, GO! www.charlestonmiracleleague.org

• Opening in April 2009, the Summerville Miracle League, GO!
www.summervillemiracleleague.org

• Special Olympics of the Lowcountry, More than 1,600 athletes,
170 unified partners and 650 coaches and volunteers. The Midwinter Games are often held in Charleston, GO! www.specialolympicsofthelowcountry.org

• Unified Sports, combine athletes with and without disabilities to enhance opportunities and achievements. All recreation departments offer programs, including the therapeutic programs at City of Charleston’s Recreation. GO! www.charlestoncity.info/recreation

• North Charleston Recreation Dept organizes a wheelchair basketball league and traveling team. GO! www.northcharleston.org

DISC GOLF
The Charleston area has 3 publicly accessible courses: Trophy Lakes on John’s Island, Park Circle in North Charleston, and Tidal Creek in West Ashley. These courses are host to several
Charleston Disc Golf Club events and provide challenge and entertainment to players of all skill levels. For all course information, www.charlestondgc.com.

DODGEBALL
Charleston Sports & Social Club organizes leagues for recreational enthusiasts. GO! www.charlestonssc.com. Also, Arena City Sports offer league play at an outdoor, walled and lighted, artificial turf field.

DOG SPORTS
The Low Country Dog Agility Club is dedicated to pursuing the sport of dog agility either competitively or just for fun. Each Spring, Mt. Pleasant's Palmetto County Park hosts a USDAA sanctioned tournament event and agility test. http://lcda.bravepages.com.
Also, fans of the Dockdogs® can see competition during the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, held annually in February. www.sewe.com

DRAGON BOAT CREW
Dragon Boat Charleston is an active and competitive crew promoting wellness among cancer survivors and community through dragon boating at Bristol Marina. Anyone can become a crew member and a new community team, Charleston Surge, has formed. GO!
www.dragonboatcharleston.org. The 2nd Annual Dragon Boat Festival will be staged at Brittlebank Park on May 2, 2009. All skill levels compete and corporations are encouraged.

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EQUESTRIAN
Johns Island’s Mullet Hall Equestrian Center serves as a 738-acre host site for competitive horse shows, festivals, events, exhibitions, and trail riding. GO! www.ccprc.com

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FENCING
The Dueling Society of Charleston provide fencing form, tactics, and psychology. GO! www.fencing.net for information about all fencing groups in the area.

FIELD HOCKEY
Local women’s field hockey information @ Ph#: 843-475-2442.

FIGURE SKATING
Carolina Ice Palace is home to the Figure Skating Club of Charleston and hosts a number of events & programs, GO! www.carolinaicepalace.com and www.fsofcharleston.com

FISHING, FRESH-WATER
Just outside the area, man-made lakes, Marion and Moultrie, are host to many competitive contests.

FISHING, IN-SHORE
A reputation for trout, snapper, bass, whiting and king mackerel which can be found in rivers, creeks and sounds indigenous to the Lowcountry. Shrimp and oysters are favorite choices among the dining enthusiasts.

FISHING, DEEP-SEA
Charters are available to take deep-sea enthusiasts to the world famous blackfish banks off Charleston Harbor. The Gulf Stream is 60 miles off the coast where dolphin and sailfish are plentiful.

• GO-fish Web sites:
www.dnr.sc.gov
www.lowcountryfishscales.com
www.carolinaladyanglers.org
www.charlestonfishing.com

FITNESS
Charleston Moves is a non-profit organization promoting bicycling, walking, running and public transportation for a healthy community and healthy lifestyle. A number of initiatives are on the “move” including working on the East Coast Greenway through Charleston.
www.charlestonmoves.org.

A Parcourse FitCircuit Course is located at Hampton Park in Charleston and offers a method for gradual conditioning and all around fitness training. The equipment consists of eight separate fitness stations, with a total of 15 different exercise events. The loop road around the park is approximately one-mile long, offering a great area for walking, running, cycling and even rollerblading. For street closure times, go to www.ci.charleston.sc.us

FLAG FOOTBALL
Refer to “Charleston Area Recreation Departments.”

FOOTBALL
Refer to listing on the side of “Charleston Area Recreation Departments.”

FOX HUNTING
Middleton Place Hounds is a hunt club with several fox hunts & casual rides throughout the season. Spectators are encouraged. Middleton Place also hosts the Blessing of the Hounds to mark the opening of fox hunting season each year in November. www.middletonplace.org • www.middletonplacehounds.com

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GYMNASTICS
James Island Recreation Complex is home of the Charleston Gymnastics Training Center. Talented and hard working athletes participate in competitions at the local, state, regional, national and international levels and the competitive teams are recognized as one of the finest in the southeast. www.charleston-gymnastics.com

GOLF
Charleston is the site of the first golf club, dating back to 1786. Now 223 years later, the area has some 30 private and public golf courses to call its own. A complete guide of all Charleston area courses. GO! www.charlestongolfguide.com.

City of Charleston and North Charleston both own municipal golf courses. Charleston Municipal is located in James Island, www.charlestoncity.info, and Wescott Plantation in North Charleston/Summerville area, www.northcharleston.org.

H -

HALF-RUBBER
A cross between baseball and stick ball, many claim the sport began on the Charleston’s beaches. Each year, Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, and Mt. Pleasant stage competitions, bringing new visitors from other states. Tournament info at www.halfrubber.com.

HIKING
The Charleston Hiking Club, GO! www.angelfire.com/extreme3/chc

HOCKEY (See Ice Hockey)

HORSEBACK RIDING
Many opportunities for riding lessons and trail rides. The Inn at Middleton Place has its own equestrian Center, GO! www.theinnatmiddletonplace.com

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ICE HOCKEY
Carolina Ice Palace is the practice facility for the local professional hockey team, the South Carolina Stingrays, and offers practice facilities for all age groups. GO! www.carolinaicepalace.com.
Including: senior leagues, high school and the Wolverines Youth Travel Hockey program.

ICE SKATING
Carolina Ice Palace is a state-of-the-art facility for all ages and skill levels. Great for parties and group outings. GO! www.carolinaicepalace.com

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JET SKIING
The intercoastal waterway is a perfect venue for jet skiing and many rental establishments are available for the novice to the avid skier.

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KAYAK/CANOE
Five public landings and the Atlantic Ocean offer easy access to water. GO! www.ccprc.com
The Lowcountry Paddlers is a fun, diverse group of enthusiasts. GO! www.lowcountrypaddlers.net

KICKBALL
The City of Charleston Recreation Department has added this new sports craze to their program list. GO! www.charlestoncity.info Charleston Sports and Social Club offers league play as well. GO! www.charlestonssc.com

KITEBOARDING
Charleston’s coastal area is a premier USA Kiteboarding spot, with incredible “air” GO! www.catchsomeair.us for information on all the barrier islands.

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LACROSSE
The sport of lacrosse has finally made the Charleston scene and is fastly growing at all levels. The Charleston Men’s Lacrosse Club organizes adult lacrosse teams. GO! http://charlestonlacrosse.ialax.com. The Wando Lacrosse Club is for girls and boys. GO! www.wandolacrosse.org. And the Lowcountry Lacrosse Youth League (LLYL) has recently been established.

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MARTIAL ARTS
A number of facilities for martial arts including Aikido, Karate, Judo, Ju-jitsu, and Taekwondo. Charleston Krav Maga is the only certified mixed martial arts studio in the area and home of the Charleston Combat Team. www.charlestonkravmaga.com

MARATHON RUNNING
Kiawah Island just celebrated their 31st anniversary staging the area’s only marathon and 1/2 marathon. Kiawah Island Marathon is sanctioned by the USATF and listed as a qualifier for the Boston Marathon. www.kiawahresort.com/recreation/marathon
Folly Beach is the site for another 1/2 marathon (includes 5K) with over 700 participants. www.savethelight.org

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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

NEUROMUSCULAR INTEGRATIVE ACTION, NIA
NIA is a holistic wellness fusion fitness program incorporating elements of Yoga, martial arts, dance and the healing arts. www.musc.edu/hsc

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OCEAN RACING
The Charleston Ocean Racing Association is a local sailing club, which hosts races and social events year-round.GO! www.charlestonoceanracing.org

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE PROGRAM
Charleston County PRC provides a wide range of outdoor adventure recreation including hiking, backpacking, biking, kayaking, canoeing, a climbing wall and challenge course. The first of its kind to be accredited by the Association for Experiential Education. www.ccprc.com

Middleton Place also has a great outdoor program including, kayaking, nature trails, horseback riding and a challenge course. GO! www.middletonplace.org

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PAINTBALL
An established club sport at The Citadel, where many cadet teams have competed on a national basis. Mt. Pleasant’s Park West Recreation Complex is now offering “Paintball days.” GO!
www.mtpleasantrec.com

POLO
Charleston has a rich history of polo being played on plantations such as Boone Hall and Stono Ferry Plantations. The sport has made an official comeback to the Lowcountry with the newly formed Charleston Polo Club. The club hosts events at the Longwood Plantation near Huger SC. GO! www.charlestonpolo.com. Or learn to play with lessons offered at Carolina Polo & Carriage Company. GO! www.cpcc.com

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RACQUETBALL
Charleston has a number of facilities with courts, including St. Andrews Family Fitness Center and the MUSC Harper Center. For local tournament schedules, GO! www.scracquetball.org

ROCK CLIMBING
Charleston County PRC has a 50-foot-tall climbing wall with up to 14 top ropes. Combined with the Bouldering Cave, they offer 6,000 square feet of climbing surfaces. Host site for annual competitions. CLIMB! www.ccprc.com

ROLLER DERBY
The Lowcountry Highrollers are Charleston’s first and only women’s derby team. http://lowcountryhighrollers.wordpress.com/

ROWING
GO! www.lowcountrypaddlers.net and GO! www.charlestonrowing.com
But don’t forget the Dragon Boat rowing opportunities at www.dragonboatcharleston.org

RUGBY
Charleston Outlaws Rugby Football Club for 35 years strong! The local club hosts a number of local tournaments and travel throughout the state and region for competitions. GO! www.charlestonrugby.com. The Hurricanes WRFC is for experienced and non-experienced
women rugby players. www.charlestonwomensrugby.org

RUNNING AND ROAD RACES
Charleston is home to a number of local running clubs including; Charleston Running Club, GO! www.charlestonrunningclub.com and Mt. Pleasant Track Club at www.mtpleasantrec.com.

PrimeTime Fitness is affiliated with City Running Tours, and provides guided customized running tours in and around the Charleston area.  Whether you are a recreational runner continuing your daily routine or training for a marathon and need to get your miles in, City Running Tours can accommodate your needs as a runner and a tourist. Choose your distance and the sights you want to see, then have them accompany you on your run through history, urban myths and the unofficial landmarks that make Charleston so unique.

The international club, Hash House Harriers has its own Charleston club, the Happy Heretics. GO! www.happyhereticsh3.us/home.html for the next run in the Holy City and other local areas. **ALL ROAD RACES are listed separately... click here***

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SAILING
Five Yacht Clubs provide sailing instruction for the beginner and racing opportunities for the challenger. Many regattas held each year, including the oldest, Rockville Regatta. The Charleston Ocean Racing Association promotes all local activities on the water. GO! www.charlestonoceanracing.org

The SC Maritime Heritage Foundation provides a number of educational opportunities aboard the Spirit of South Carolina, a boat built to offer a unique opportunity for children to experience life in a new setting, fostering self discovery and prompting a new appreciation for responsibility, teamwork and leadership. GO! www.scmaritime.org

And the Charleston Community Sailing organization also promotes
the sport of sailing by providing access, facilities, and sailing instruction to people of all socioeconomic backgrounds, skill levels, and physical abilities. GO!
www.charlestoncommunitysailing.org

SCUBA DIVING
Plenty of opportunities and clubs in the area, GO! www.charlestondiving.com

SCOTTISH GAMES
Charleston Scottish Games and Highland Gathering is held at Boone Hall Plantation each fall. GO! www.charlestonscots.org/joomla

SKATEBOARDING
Refer to separate listing of “Charleston Area Recreation Departments” for specific facilities, which promote safe skateboarding.

SKIING/SNOWBOARDING
No resorts in Charleston, but the Greater Charleston Ski Club organizes great trips for locals! GO! www.charlestonskiclub.org

SOCCER
A number of soccer clubs are organized for the advancement of youth in this sport.
– Bridge Football Alliance, www.bridgefa.com,
– Charleston United Soccer, www.charlestonunitedsoccer.net
– Mount Pleasant Soccer, www.mpsoccer.com
– James Island Youth Soccer Club, www.jiysc.com
– Summerville Soccer Club, www.summervillesoccerclub.com

Go to Lowcountry Soccer, www.lowcountrysoccer.net for schedules as well as the separate listing of “Charleston Area Recreation Departments.”

SOFTBALL
The North Charleston Recreation Department hosts girl’s fast pitch softball tournaments annually. All are sanctioned by the National Softball Association for girls 10U-16U. GO!
www.northcharleston.org and www.playnsa.com

The North Charleston Recreation Department is affiliated with the Lowcountry Senior Softball Association and have men 50+ participate in both recreational and competitive softball programs. GO! www.northcharleston.org

SQUASH
Charleston has a squash club, contact the Charleston Squash Club PH#: 843-577-1099.

SURFING
Folly Beach Washout has the best surf and a series of local and regional tournaments. Southern South Carolina/Eastern Surfing Association, GO! http://ssc.surfesa.org

SWIMMING
There are many swimming opportunities available in the Charleston Area, including clubs, pools and beaches. Charleston Area Beaches (with lifeguards on duty seasonally) include:
• Folly Beach County Park. 600-foot beach front designated swimming area. www.beachparks.com/follybeach.htm
• Beachwalker County Park, Kiawah Island. 450-foot designated swimming area. www.beachparks.com/beachwalker.htm
• Isle of Palms County Park. 600 feet of ocean frontage. www.beachparks.com/isleofpalms.htm

From youth to seniors, Charleston offers a number of recreational swim clubs. The Palmetto Masters Swimming Program (18+) and the Marlin’s Southern Racing Team (the only Silver Medal Club, awarded by USA Swimming, in SC) Go! www.swimsmrt.com

Swimming – Open Water Rehabilitation Centers of Charleston hosts an annual 2.4 open
water harbor swim, the Lowcountry Splash. GO! www.rcctherapy.com.

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TEAM SPORTS
Each recreational department offers a unique blend of team sports for youth and adults, including Football, Flag-Football, Baseball, Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball and Softball. Refer to separate listing of “Charleston Area Recreation Departments.”

TENNIS
Charleston has the 2nd highest number of league tennis players in the South, with 3,240 adults in the local USTA league.

Lowcountry Tennis Association is the premier local USTA league association, GO! www.lowcountry.usta.com

For juniors, the Lowcountry Junior Tennis Association has formed,
GO! www.lowcountryjuniortennis.org

Let’s Play Tennis is a free, non-commercial Web site for tennis players of all levels looking for tennis partners and friends. www.letsplaytennis.org/charleston

For women players, CALTA has over 700 members. www.caltatennis.net.

To join an elite group or watch local professional tennis players compete each fall, GO! www.cptltennis.com

TRIATHLONS
The region currently has six events to call its own, including the Kiawah Triathlon, Charleston Sprint Triathlon Series (4) and the newest, East Cooper Coastal Triathlon. The local association is the Charleston Triathlon Club, GO! www.charlestontriathlonclub.com **ALL TRIATHLONS are listed separately...click here**

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ULTIMATE FRISBEE
The Charleston Ultimate Players Association, GO! www.charlestonultimate.net

UNDERWATER HOCKEY
The Charleston Blockade Runners practice and hold competitions at St. Andrews Family Fitness Plus. GO! www.geocities.com/thetropics/4434

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VOLLEYBALL
A local organization for juniors has formed. GO! www.charlestonjuniorsvolleyball.com
Refer to separate listing, “Charleston Area Recreation Departments.”

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WALKING
Pedestrian Lane, Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. The three-mile bridge, which connects the City of Charleston and the Town of Mount Pleasant, has a 12-foot bicycle and pedestrian path along the entire south edge of the bridge overlooking the Harbor. Easy access and parking from both sides of the river.

The Westwalk I’On community walking trail in Mt. Pleasant has a series of three walks totaling 10 miles. The entire trail is in electronic form for use in GPS navigation systems, GPX format. GO! www.ioncommunity.com

WATERSKIING & WAKEBOARDING
Trophy Lakes on Johns Island is the host site for many recreational activities and competitive events. GO! www.trophylakes.com

WIFFLEBALL
Refer to separate recreation listings, “Charleston Area Recreation Departments.”

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X GAMES SPORTS
Charleston has many skateboarding facilities for X Games sports enthusiasts. (See Skateboarding.) Freestyle Motocross is showcased periodically at the North Charleston Coliseum.

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YACHTING
The area is home to a number of yacht clubs and regattas all year round. The SC Maritime Heritage Foundation and Charleston Ocean Racing Associations assist with a few major yachting events. GO! www.charlestonoceanracing.org and www.scmaritime.org

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ZUMBA
Zumba is the newest aerobic dance craze, and incorporates Latin and International music and dance movements which create a dynamic, exciting and effective fitness system. Classes are available at MUSC Wellness Center, www.musc.edu/hsc and James Island Recreation Complex. Ph#: 843-795-5678.