Get Under It!

About

The Facts

Where: Charleston, South Carolina.

When: Annually in May or June. (Based upon the tides).

Distance: 2.4 Mile Open Water Swim along the Mount Pleasant shoreline or 5 Mile Open Water Swim starting at Daniel Island Pier, crossing the Wando River and proceeding down the 2.4 Mile course.

Participants: 500+ Age range from 9 years old to 89.

Start & Finish: Wet start at Hobcaw Yacht Club for the 2.4 mile Splash and wet start at Daniel Island Pier for the 5 mile Splash & wet finish at the Charleston Harbor Marina in front of the USS Yorktown for both Splashes.

Tides: Swimming with an outgoing tide.

Water Temp: 72-78 depending on the weather.

The Lowcountry Splash is South Carolina's premier open water swim. The Splash began as an idea of creating a unique open water swimming event in the Charleston area. The original goal was to have the swim go across the Charleston Harbor from Patriots Point to the Charleston Peninsula. With too many logistical nightmares, the race founders decided to make a go of the race at Trophy Lakes, a ski lake on Johns Island. After four successful years at Trophy Lakes, there was still a long for something more challenging. The Splash moved to the Charleston harbor in 2001. 

Until 2012, the event was only a 2.4 Mile open water swim along the Mount Pleasant shoreline, swimming under the Cooper River Bridge and finishing at the Charleston Harbor Marina and Resorts in front of the USS Yorktown at Patriots Point. In 2002, the event was recognized as a winner of the Charleston Metro Sports Council sporting achievements. In 2013, we added a 5 mile Splash that starts at the Daniel Island Pier and proceeds across the Wando and then follows the 2.4 mile course.

We are continuously looking for volunteers who want to help out with the event.  We need people at the start and finish and everywhere in between.  If you are a kayaker, paddle boarder or boater, you can be especially helpful.  If you are interested, please contact us here - Volunteer Opportunities.

The Splash continues to grow in popularity attracting swimmers from 30 of the 50 states and 3 countries. The 2005 Splash was cancelled race day morning due to inclement weather. Since 2005 race has grown in numbers by 20-25% ever year but one.

Proceeds from the Splash benefit the Logan Rutledge Children's Foundation, a local not for profit organization promoting the health and welfare of children in the Lowcountry. The foundation was established in May of 2002 in memory of Logan Jennings Rutledge (7/30/01-08/26/01). Since its beginning the foundation has supported the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Medical University of South Carolina and has made numerous contributions to assist individual children in need in the Lowcountry.

The Splash has raised close to $137,000 for the Logan foundation through the Splash over the past 10 years. While the foundation continues to be committed to children’s charities, a new swimming initiative is a focus as well. The last two years the foundation has appropriated $60,000 to Charleston County School District for their swimming initiative to support swimming lessons for local schools. “We just felt that it was something we should be involved in given the nature of our event. We live on the coast, it is imperative everyone know basic swimming skills,” said Mark Rutledge, Logan Rutledge Foundation and Splash Director.