Introducing Beaufort’s First Sports Council

story by WENDY NILSEN POLLITZER          photo by SK SIGNS, DESIGNS & MARKETING

Beaufort is always home to hospitality. In fact, we may have invented the front porch. We welcome visitors to celebrate our culture, history, and landscape. We host writers, fishermen, and wedding guests. We also host hundreds of families weekly congratulating their young Marine Corps graduates.

Now we have another way of bringing folks here and welcoming them to our beloved little town. Sports. That’s right, fans, sports. And we have a special group making that happen.
The Beaufort Area Sports Council was established to develop sport-related events that impact our community. By working with local, regional, and national organizations, the Sports Council supports a wide range of events that offer diverse opportunities to athletes of all ages and all sports. The mission is to enrich the quality of life and economic well-being of Northern Beaufort County by supporting existing events, and attracting new sporting events and activities.

“One thing we can say about sports tourism is that we see it as an opportunity to diversify our tourism economy,” says Sports Council Chair Christian Kata, “while also contributing to our existing area’s sports-related events.”

Members of the Board include Christian Kata, Tim Waz, Denice Davis, Jeff Pinckney, Jonathan Sullivan, Matt Watts, and Beaufort-Port Royal CVB President and CEO Rob Wells.
Tim Waz, Vice Chair, says, “We are excited to bring this great event which showcases our amazing waterways and our beautiful roads in this multi-sport race. We look forward to growing Beaufort as a sports destination in the future.

First on the list of new events? The Sports Council is resurrecting Sea Island Rotary’s beloved Biathlon, a paddle (kayak or paddleboard)/4mile running race.

Once held on Hunting Island, the new event will now be held in Port Royal, taking advantage of the scenic waterways and paddling into the Battery Creek. The paddle portion of the race will be about five miles, and then the participants or their relay teammates will compete in a 4.2-mile run with fun athletic challenges throughout the Old Village of Port Royal. “Having done the Hunting Island Adventure Biathlon many times myself, our goal is to maintain the original integrity of that event and create an athletic experience for all participants that keep them coming back year after year,” says event chair Denice Davis.

Its new name will either be the LoCo Paddle Dash or the LoCo Paddle Skedaddle. What do you think?

Port Royal is Cool, Coastal, and Far from Ordinary, as the slogan implies, so why not make the race a little fun and funky as well? Competitors should expect this race to be a little more on the EXTRAordinary side, with quirky additions to make it fun. Mark your calendars now!

If you are interested in joining the Sports Council, please contact Rob Wells at robbw@beaufortsc.org.