Boating news: Kayak, canoe poker run July 25 on Catawba River
Kayak, canoe poker run July 25
Carolina Dive & Rescue Emergency Response Team will host the Ca-Ta-Wa-Ba Poke Float kayak and canoe poker run on July 25.
The poker run goes from the dam access in Fort Mill to the River Walk access in Rock Hill. The winning hand is $200.
There will be food, prizes and music.
Early registration costs $25, T-shirt included. Registration at the event is $30.
CDAR helps with water-related rescue on Lake Wylie and the Catawba River.
For more information, visit carolinadiverescue.com, call 803-372-7593 or email cdavis@carolinadiverescue.com.
Marine group meeting July 27
Lake Wylie Marine Commission will meet at 7 p.m. July 27 at Belmont City Hall, 115 N. Main St., Belmont.
The Lake Wylie Marine Commission is a federally established body of residents appointed by the governments of the three counties that border Lake Wylie. Its role is to represent residents and Lake Wylie stakeholders to establish public policy and regulations to protect and preserve Lake Wylie and its shoreline, to encourage its safe use and enjoyment, and to protect Lake Wylie as a high quality resource and asset for the region.
The public is invited to meetings. For more information,visit lakewyliemarinecommission.com.
Wildlife projects application deadline July 31
Qualifying government agencies and nonprofit organizations wanting to enhance, create and protect fish and wildlife habitats along the Catawba-Wateree River and its tributaries are encouraged to submit applications for grants provided by Duke Energy’s Catawba-Wateree Habitat Enhancement Program.
CWHEP is a cooperative effort by Duke Energy, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. The program is funded annually from a fee charged to individuals and residential marina developers seeking permits to build piers on the Catawba-Wateree lakes. The Foundation for the Carolinas administers the funds.
Projects eligible include planting native shoreline vegetation, constructing osprey platforms and wood duck boxes, and installing fish attractors, to purchasing property and conservation easements along the Catawba-Wateree River that permanently preserve rare and unique habitats.
Applications are at duke-energy.com/lakes/hep-how-to-apply.asp. Deadline is July 31.
Class held monthly at Lake Wylie
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary holds a boating safety course 9 a.m.-5 p.m. the third Saturday of every month at River Hills Marina conference center.
The class covers all aspects of boating. A safe boating course is required for boat operators born after Jan. 1, 1988, and is recommended for everyone.
For more information or to register, call 704-588-1678 or email info@CGAlakewylie.org.
Meetings about S.C. boating law changes set
The S.C. Department of Natural Resources will hold meetings in preparation about boating regulation changes on South Carolina waterways. Meetings begin at 7 p.m.
▪ July 28 - FE Dubose Center - Auditorium - 3351 Sumter Highway, Manning
▪ Aug. 6 - Horry Georgetown Technical College - Auditorium - 2050 E. Highway 501, Conway
▪ Aug. 11 - Fort Johnson Marine Center - Auditorium - 217 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston
▪ Aug. 13 - Crowders Creek Elementary School - Auditorium - 5515 Charlotte Highway, Clover
▪ Aug. 25 - DNR Clemson Office - Auditorium - 311 Natural Resources Drive, Clemson
▪ Sept. 8 - Center for Advance Technical Studies - Auditorium - 916 Mount Vernon Church Road, Chapin
The state of South Carolina has an abundance of water resources with 8,000 miles of rivers, 460,000 acres of lakes and 3,000 miles of coastline. As of 2014, there were approximately 485,000 registered boats in South Carolina with thousands more registered each year. The Palmetto State consistently ranks in the top ten of all states for registered boats.
For more information, call 800-277-4301.
DNR offers boating virtual trainer
The next time you’re at an outdoor event, keep an eye out for the new Boating Skills Virtual Trainer. The trainer is a partnership between the S.C. Department of Natural Resources and Pioneer Boats.
With the assistance of Pioneer Boats, DNR was able to place three 32-inch screens on a center console boat, mounted inside a trailer, for a virtual boating experience. Steering, throttle and other controls are like those found on a real boat.
The instructor has the ability to tailor the student’s experience by adjusting wind and current strength to day/night scenarios. The simulator offers learning platforms through which students they can learn about docking, mooring, pivot turns and more on a virtual waterway free from the hazards that can occur on the water.
Marine commission seeks Eagle hopeful
The Lake Wylie Marine Commission is looking for a Scout seeking Eagle rank or other honors for a lake service project.
The commission would like for a local Scout to set up containers for collecting used fishing wire to keep it out of the water.
For more information, call 704-825-3189 or 704-688-6507.
This story was originally published July 17, 2015 at 1:13 PM with the headline "Boating news: Kayak, canoe poker run July 25 on Catawba River."