A CP guide on how to soak safely in the sun

Summer in the sun

Nothing hits the spot like lounging on the sandy shores of a Charleston area beach with a good book and the soothing sound of crashing waves. While we love a day on the sand or at a pool as much as the next person, this year, we’re highlighting some lesser-known ways to soak in the sun (or hide in the air-conditioning, if that’s more your style). Here are some suggestions for how to spend your summer months — from exploring the Lowcountry landscape to enjoying live music.

Dive in

Women and girls of all ages will take to the waves during Folly Beach’s all-female surf competition the Wahine Classic July 29-30. | Bill Wolpert file photo/Surf and Turd Photo

Folly Beach is home to one of the few all-female surf competitions in the Southeast, the Wahine Classic. This year, the annual event takes place July 29 and 30. Enter to compete or cheer on the competitors from the shore of the Washout as nearly 250 surfers of all ages take to the waves. If you’re feeling inspired after the competition, sign up for surf lessons from experienced instructors at local places such as Isla Surf School, Carolina Salt, Shaka Surf School or Sol Surfers. Maybe you’ll be hanging 10 at next year’s competition.

At Trophy Lakes, beginners can learn to water ski — and experienced skiers can drop in by the hour. But the two lakes have something for everyone — stand-up paddleboarding, cable wakeboarding, a disc golf course, a water ropes course and the Charleston Aqua Park, a floating activity course located at Trophy Lakes.

Kids and adults can enjoy the Charleston Aqua Park obstacle course. | Courtesy Charleston Aqua Park

“We’re in the middle of nature. I think that’s a really nice aspect,” said Jessica Neumann, manager and co-owner of Charleston Aqua Park. “The kids can be free. They can run, jump, climb, swim. You can come out and just have a good time. … All activities here are also perfect for adults … even the Aqua Park is fun for adults.”

Check out Trophy Lakes special events such as the obstacle course inspired by American Ninja Warrior set for July 7 and 8. Or head to the lakes for date night from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. July 13 and Aug. 10. Weekly specials include a family happy hour on Wednesdays and Fridays, kids wakeboard school every Saturday morning and wake happy hour for adults every Friday night.

Neumann said anyone who wishes to participate in lake activities must be a proficient swimmer as the lake is very deep in certain areas.

Outdoor adventure

Get outside this summer and explore the Lowcountry’s unique natural landscape. For the avid hiker, plan a day trip along the Palmetto Trail, which extends from Awendaw along the Intracoastal Waterway to Walhalla in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Or break out your binoculars for some of the best birdwatching in the area along six miles of trails at the Caw Caw Interpretive Center near Ravenel. This site also offers educational programs and interpretive exhibits. The Center for Birds of Prey in Awendaw offers even more up-close looks at bird species with flight demonstrations and guided tours Thursdays through Saturdays.

At Mepkin Abbey in Moncks Corner, find relaxation and mindfulness in nature as you explore the gardens of this Trappist monastery. Visitors can walk the grounds for free, but checking in at the reception center is required. For those interested in touring the Abbey church, tours take place at 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays and Saturdays for $5. Children get in free.

Summer sips

Summer is the season of cold, refreshing beers and fruity cocktails. There are dozens of places to grab a drink and enjoy the sunshine, but if you’re looking to explore the downtown breweries, hop aboard the Charleston Brewery District trolley (find a map in HOPS). This free shuttle runs from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Saturday and stops at 10 breweries in the district, including BrewLab, Edmund’s Oast Brewing Company, Revelry Brewing Co. and more.

The Mills House recently renovated its pool, adding the new Terrace Bar ahead of its 170-year anniversary. | Photo by Andrew Cebulka

Sweet frozen drinks are synonymous with summer, but few popular drinks have dominated Instagram like frosé — frozen rosé wine. Sullivan’s Island cafe The Co-Op, which now has local locations on Isle of Palms, downtown and Kiawah Island, is the go-to place for many flavors of frosé. Pick up a whole bottle or stay and test a couple flavors in the frosé flight. If you want to really kick your summer plans up a notch, you can book The Co-Op’s boat charter, but be sure to request food and frosé at least 24 hours in advance.

If that doesn’t satisfy your frosé fix, head to the Island Cabana bar at the Seabreeze Marina downtown (50 Immigration St.). You can access the “ship store” by land or sea, and enjoy a cool drink and some seafood on the dock which stretches into the Cooper River and provides a unique view of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge.

Though outdoor patios and bars abound in Charleston, if you’re feeling bougie and looking for a way to sip poolside, book a cabana at The Ryder’s Little Palm bar or The Mills House. Both hotels grant access to locals to the pool and serve creative cocktails from the bar that will have you saying “another round, please,” all summer long.

Rock out(side)

Local venues and musicians entertain crowds during several summer music series:

Mosquito Beach Sunset Jamz is a family-friendly concert at the end of Mosquito Beach Road from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Tuesday featuring local artists, vendors and more.

Firefly Distillery in Park Circle welcomes a lineup of summer performers including The Dirty Heads, Shakey Graves and Trampled by Turtles and Ryan Adams and The Cardinals. On Saturdays, kick back with a cocktail and enjoy weekly live music from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the porch.

The Refinery offers a unique way to enjoy music outdoors with its amphitheater next to beer collective The Whale and the Sweetgrass Vodka lounge. This summer, catch performances by Stephen Marley, The Infamous Stringdusters, Susto and more. The Refinery also hosts themed events such as the coming July 22 Barbie Party.

Farmers markets and U-Pick farms

Get a taste of the Lowcountry’s fresh produce at a farmers market or pick-your-own-produce farm. The Charleston Farmers Market in downtown’s Marion Square runs from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. every Saturday and highlights offerings from local farmers, tasty bites from food trucks, artisan items, live music and kids activities such as an inflatable bounce house.

Peruse locally made goods, indulge in tasty bites from food trucks and enjoy live music during the Sunday Brunch Farmers Market at the Pour House. | Provided

The Charleston Pour House opens its backyard and back deck to the public for the Sunday Brunch Farmers Market. Visitors can peruse the many goods for sale while sipping a cold drink from the bar and grooving along to the band on the deck. Other markets take place on varying days throughout the area including West Ashley Farmers Market, Holy City Farmers Market, the Folly Art Village Market and more.

For an even fresher experience, pick your own produce at area farms including Boone Hall Farms in Mount Pleasant, Bugby Plantation U-Pick on Wadmalaw Island and Champney’s Blueberry Farm in Ravenel. This is an excellent activity for the whole family, just be sure to plan your trip according to the weather and temperature as a summer afternoon in the field can get very hot.

Sporting events

The RiverDogs offer weekly special events including Dog Day, Thirsty Thursdays and fireworks on Fridays. | Provided

Summertime sports are perfect for families, groups of friends and couples date night. Minor league baseball team the RiverDogs face off against regional teams all summer long with special game nights including Tuesday Dog Days, Thirsty Thursdays with $1 beers and post-game fireworks on Fridays.

The Charleston Battery, local professional soccer team, also takes to the field several times this summer with special Summer Nights games featuring fireworks and $3 beers. The next game is June 30 followed by home games on July 12, 15, 22 and 29. Four home games are scheduled for August.

And this year, Charleston welcomes the Pirates, the area’s new football team. This professional spring team will play three more games in July at Summerville’s John McKissick Field.

Summer safety tips

In the middle of summer fun, experts say it is important to keep in mind summer safety tips to avoid sunburns, bruises and worse.

Keep a close eye on children near the water. Summer vacation is a popular time to surf, water ski and spend time near the ocean. Drowning is a major concern when close to the water and one of the most common preventable deaths. A child can drown in the time it takes to reply to a text, according to the American Red Cross.

Suggestion: It is best to have a designated adult “water watcher” to focus on children and weak swimmers in the water. The Red Cross advises that children take swimming lessons and always wear lifejackets.

Be mindful of firework laws and dangers. If you are inclined to shoot off fireworks, the Red Cross recommends you set off fireworks away from buildings or trees. Always wear eye protection and store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets. Buying or shooting fireworks is illegal inside the city of Charleston and many other cities year-round. It is best to check local fireworks laws before you celebrate July 4 with a bang. Pro tip: Pets really don’t like fireworks. Consider their welfare when you’re firing off popping rockets.

Apply sunscreen properly. The American Academy of Dermatology advises people of all ages to use water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher that offers broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays.

Watch out for heat stroke. Charleston’s extreme summer heat can cause your body temperature to rise past the point of being able to cool itself. If you experience dizziness, confusion or muscle cramping, immediately go inside or into shade and drink water.

Respect shorebirds’ nesting sites. The South Carolina Audubon Society says to keep local wildlife safe this summer by staying a safe distance from nesting sites. Pro tip: Pick up trash. —Alex Nettles