Rockville

This past weekend was the Rockville Regatta. Here's a description that I found on SailNet.com:

"The once-a-year epicenter of racing in Charleston—the Sea Island Yacht Club. For eons, the murky waters of Bohicket Creek have swirled past the high banks and ancient live oaks that host the sleepy village of Rockville, just southwest of Charleston, SC. It's a town of some 20 houses, two churches, and a modest community hall that serves as home to the Sea Island Yacht Club. For three days each summer, the hall becomes the epicenter of sailboat racing in South Carolina's Lowcountry—the coastal region that stretches from the Georgia border nearly all the way up the shore to North Carolina.

The Rockville Regatta holds a special significance and appeal for everyone who attends. Much of this stems from the fact that it's always been somewhat of a family affair, with its ranks populated by the descendants of plantation owners who annually sought refuge from the August heat in their summer homes here. In part it's the regatta's esteemed heritage—dating back to a race between two cousins who allegedly sought to settle a matter of family pride out on the water aboard their scow-like work boats over 11 decades ago. And it's partially the fact that this series of races is the season-capping event for Charleston sailors. But it also has to do with the 400-plus spectator craft that anchor or raft up on the far side of the river, giving the proceedings a raucous, yet festive, atmosphere—sort of like NASCAR meets Wimbledon."

Make no mistake, this is nothing but a party. It is identicle to the Carolina Cup, except there are boats & bathing suits rather than horses & hats. Here are some pictures from the day...

Here we are leaving from Sullivan's Island, bright & early at 8:30am

This was taken on the way to Rockville. There were tons of boats in front of us and behind us, all going to the same place.

This was the scene in front of and behing the boat I was on. This was still very early. There were twice as many boats in these same spaces by noon.

I would post more pictures, but I'm pretty sure my friends would get mad at seeing pictures of themselves, in Rockville, in bathing suits, on the internet. The funniest part of the day was that a girl none of us knew ended up on our boat. She didn't know where she was, or who she came with, or where her boat was. Mandy kept saying that she looked familiar, but coulnd't place how she knew her. After about an hour of some very frustrating conversations with her (it's hard to talk with someone who can't even tell you her name) , Mandy finally placed her. She's the daughter of the people who tailgate next to us at Clemson. She probably won't remember us, but it will be funny to see her at the first Clemson game. She did finally make it off of our boat thanks to a very nice guy on a jet ski who came & took her off our hands.

While it was fun, I realized about 3pm (in the middle of the chaos), that I am no longer cut out for that scene. That may be my first & last trip to Rockville.