Page 26 - Sea Level 2019

tour. From shore birds to shelling, our King George I in 1718, the 16,000 acres of
“The kids we taught originally tours are an outdoor experience up close Hobcaw Barony are now solely in trust of the
are sending their kids now, and personal.” Belle Baruch Foundation.
Benston said. “It’s pretty cool.” On the ocean side, Surf the Earth offers Belle Baruch, the oldest daughter of
various traditional surfing and stand-up South Carolina native and Wall Street
paddleboarding options. Surfing summer mogul Bernard Baruch, wintered in Hobcaw
camps and private lessons have been Barony for most of her life, hunting and
SURF THE EARTH popular since starting up nearly two decades experiencing the untethered outdoors. Upon
her death in 1964, a trust was established to
Founded as a surfing apparel brand in ago. More recently, a three-day camp
preserve the land in perpetuity and open its
1990, Benston and his wife Deanna opened designed specifically for girls, called Camp
doors for educational purposes.
the Pawleys Island outfitter in 2000. Since Sea Gypsy, has brought together surfing,
The property now includes a Discovery
then, Surf the Earth has become a mainstay paddleboarding, and yoga.
Center for K-12 education along with
for both locals and seasonal tourists, For more information on Surf the Earth’s
scientific research facilities for both
specializing in surf gear and offering a wide shop, rentals, camps, and excursions call
Clemson University and the University of
array of recreational rentals and eco-tours. 843.235.3500 or visit surf-the-earth.com. South Carolina. A bus tour with limited
Besides being a one-stop shop for all walking allows visitors to experience each
the beach-goer basics, Surf the Earth has HOBCAW BARONY of the property’s ecosystems, many of the
skim boards, surf boards, paddleboards, Hobcaw Barony is a place where buildings, and more than 300 years of
and kayaks for a range of abilities and the area’s distinct coastal ecosystem has history. Additionally, seasonal programs fill
experience. “You can rent, buy or remained largely untouched for hundreds the calendar, ranging on topics from arts and
demo everything we have on the racks,” of years. Originally issued as a land grant by outdoors to history and science.
Benston said.
“I’m the ‘expediter of programs’ in The business is renowned for eco-
the shop,” Benston said of his role at the tourism and is recognized by the State of
outfitter, which sends about 150 people South Carolina with recreational signage
per week through various surf camps and along Ocean Highway. While some eco-tours
eco-tours in peak tourism months. “But I try are ocean based, the majority are bayside
to take one or two eco-tours a week. Just to excursions with participants outfitted with
slow down and enjoy our ecosystem.” kayaks or stand-up paddleboards.
Benston echoes the sentiments of visitors “Our main thing we try to do on eco-
and locals alike, who dive feet (or head) first tours is educate people on our unique
into the activities, lifestyle, and laid-back ecosystem. We want them to understand
attitude afforded by the coastal environment our environment and learn how fragile it
of Pawleys and the rest of Georgetown County. actually is,” Benston said, noting that the
There are numerous ways to experience Winyah Bay estuary is one of the largest and
Pawleys and the surrounding areas. From cleanest in the U.S. “It’s easy because we can
deep rooted history to the Winyah Bay do it first-hand.”
breeze, from finding the perfect wave to “All our guides are self-taught
achieving inner peace, the possibilities naturalists,” he added. “We can identify
seem limitless. nearly everything we’re going to see on a
24 | SEA LEVEL The Lachicotte Company
Hobcaw Barony