Coastal Carolina Kayaking Expedition

All adult survivors 18 and older are invited to join TAPS on the 2019 Coastal Carolina Kayaking Expedition as we find new purpose, gain radical perspective, and remember what it feels like to live with determination.

TAPS Expeditions are outdoor skills-based events that require dedication, preparation and a real sense of adventure. Professional guides will lead us through some of the country’s most spectacular ecosystems as we paddle from forested swamplands to South Carolina’s barrier islands, taking in the area’s rich history and natural wildlife. As guests of the low country, we’ll be led to consider what we really can control as we learn to trust our guides, our gear, our team and ourselves.

OVERVIEW

Join us as we paddle South Carolina’s unique ecosystems along the Barrier Islands that are teeming with diverse wildlife and untouched shorelines. Capers Island Heritage Preserve serves as our oceanfront basecamp that exposes the beauty of the Atlantic Ocean. While we paddle these coastlines, we can expect to see playful Atlantic bottlenose dolphins dip in and out of view, all while exploring the vast stretches of beach, inland hiking trails and ponds of the most protected stretch of contiguous coastline along the Eastern seaboard.

Leading up to the expedition, we'll form a team bond and gain familiarity with each other through a team meeting to discuss training regimens, gear lists and more. Your team will be a source of encouragement as you train for this kayaking adventure and an ongoing support network long after the expedition is complete. 

Entry forms will be open from February 15 to 22, 2019. Entry forms will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so you can expect a call within two weeks of submitting your entry from. If more entry forms are received than we have slots available, we will do a random selection from qualified entries.

While each expedition is unique and rewarding, they can also be physically, mentally and emotionally challenging. Each offers an opportunity to experience for the first time or hone in on a valuable outdoor experience. We hope you’ll apply to join us after you’ve taken some time to consider your current physical and emotional strength and resilience.

View photos from the 2018 TAPS Coastal Carolina Expedition to see what this experience looks like.

This expedition is being put together through a partnership with REI Adventures.

SCHEDULE

PRE-TRIP

There will be one team meeting via conference call or video chat that that is mandatory for participants in order to form a team bond and gain familiarity with each other. You will have access to our Facebook group, which will include participants from this expedition, as well as those who participated in previous expeditions so you can ask questions and learn from their experience.

THE TRIP

This schedule is provided by REI Adventures and subject to change. Visit the Coastal Carolina Sea Kayaking Itinerary for more details.

Day 1: The expedition begins at 9 a.m. in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina at Coastal Expeditions with introductions, a gear check and lunch. Next we shuttle to our launch point and begin our paddle through a salt marsh estuary on our way to the barrier island chain. We’ll experience a wide variety of wildlife en route to our oceanfront campsite on Capers Island, where we’ll create homebase for the next three nights. Kayaking: 7 miles

Day 2: Rising early with sunrise yoga, we’ll begin our day embracing the breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean along with a delicious breakfast. Our paddle today will lead us to Boneyard Beach on Bulls Island, and along the way we’ll experience the rich history encapsulated in this region of the Carolina coastline. We’ll end the day back at camp over a locally harvested dinner. Kayaking: 12 miles

Day 3: We’ll rise again with sunrise yoga today, followed by a hearty breakfast. While we are paddling around the Barrier Islands today, we'll explore the intimate relationship between island, estuary and ocean. Surrounded by a diverse array of birdlife, playful dolphins, and untouched shoreline, it is easy to picture what early life was like in this warm subtropical waterway. Today will be more relaxed and we’ll return to camp for lunch, dinner and closing. Kayaking: 5 miles

Day 4: Our final day will begin with sunrise yoga and our last camp breakfast. Our paddle will begin to develop a more rounded concept of the connections we have with the inner working of the coastal environment. Arriving at the mainland, we'll shuttle back to our starting point and bid a fond farewell to our fellow adventurers. Kayaking: 7 miles

Note: Please be aware that this itinerary is subject to change due to a number of reasons, including weather and participant skill level.

POST-TRIP

We fully expect your team members to become your family and an ongoing support network long after the TAPS Expedition is complete. You'll be provided with a directory following the expedition to keep in touch with each other.

TRIP FEES

A $50 deposit will be collected at the time of registration. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and sponsors, TAPS will cover the rest of the trip costs, with the exception of your transportation to and from South Carolina, your first night's lodging expenses and some meals.

LODGING AND TRANSPORTATION

You will need to cover the cost of your transportation to and from South Carolina. The closest airport is the Charleston International Airport. Your first night's lodging will be on your own, but we will be available to recommend lodging options that fit within your budget. Plan to arrive in Charleston, South Carolina, on Wednesday, March 27. TAPS will cover the costs for all subsequent lodging and meals beginning Thursday, March 28.

SKILL LEVEL

This expedition requires no kayaking experience but does necessitate that you be physically fit and healthy. This physically demanding expedition that will include kayaking between five and sixteen miles a day and some one- to two-mile hikes. Even if you don't have kayaking experience, if this adventure excites you then we encourage you to submit an entry form by Wednesday, February 22nd!

The TAPS Expeditions team will make sure you are prepared and well informed of the nature of this trip.

To maximize your enjoyment of the trip and to avoid sore muscles, we suggest you engage in a regular exercise regimen leading up to the trip. Prior to the trip, we'll have a conference call and/or an online video meeting to go over training regimens, gear lists and more.

Entry Form Details

Entry forms will be open from February 15 to 22, 2019. Entry forms will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so you can expect a call within two weeks of submitting your entry from. If more entry forms are received than we have slots available, we will do a random selection from qualified entries.

If you have any questions, please contact Rachel Hunsell at expeditions@taps.org or call 800-959-TAPS (8277).