Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

It’s Shark Week in Charleston and Jacksonville

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As you know, it’s Shark Week this week on Discovery Channel.  This summer favorite first aired in 1987 and it has been a cable TV hit ever since with a cult-like following. Shark Week features documentaries and educational programs about sharks for seven days straight.  This year Shark week is hosted by Late Late Show’s own Craig Ferguson, I’m not sure what knowledge about the big fish the Scotsman can bring to the table – but I’m sure Craig will boost ratings.

Here at Coastal Companion we decided to make our own version of Shark Week. After all, who want’s to spend a whole week watching TV in the summer?

Take a look at our ides for what to do during Shark Week.


Jacksonville Sharks
Guys like to watch hard hits and lots of action, isn’t that how Shark Week got popular in the first place? But when we talk about Sharks in Jacksonville, were not talking about fish with big teeth, we’re talking lots of arena football action with the city’s home team – The Jacksonville Sharks.  It’s the first year for the team, and they are the South Division Champions of the Arena Football League. Take a look at the incredible action in our video from the last game Jacksonville Sharks vs. Spokane Shock!

Fans are have created their own Shark Dance, the dance team is the Shark Attack team – and it’s just a lot of “fin-tastic fun”! (Click here to watch our video and see for yourself) The Jacksonville Sharks are what Discovery Channel commentators would put it “nature’s perfect killing machine”! The team is  in the playoffs and are facing the Orlando Predators at the Veterans Memorial Arena on Friday August 6. The question is are the Predators  going to become shark bait? Yeah, it is definitely Shark Week in Jacksonville.

Love at First Bite in Charleston
In South Carolina the aquarium celebrates Shark Week with a week long celebration of all things Shark.  Catch one of the shark-themed dive shows, participate in new special interactive activities such as ‘Sharkeology’ and ‘Shark Shapes,’ venture through Shark Alley to see the real size of some of these silent giants and of course, marvel at live sharks swimming in the Aquarium’s largest exhibit, the Great Ocean Tank.

For those who swim with the big fish,  on Thursday, August 5, there’s a a FREE showing of the classic shark movie, ‘Jaws’ at the Aquarium’s Movie on the Lawn! See ‘Jaws’ on the big screen with the sound of the ocean just beyond your seat. Lawn opens at 7 p.m. with the movie beginning at dark. Before the movie starts, interact with Aquarium educators rovering the lawn and watch an Aquarium-made short film on shark myths. This is a free showing, although donations will be accepted at the door to benefit the conservation efforts at the Aquarium. Bring your own chair or blanket.

The South Carolina Aquarium will celebrate Shark Week July 30 – August 8, 2010. For more information, visit scaquarium.org/sharkweek or call (843) 577-FISH (3474).

Sandbar Shark, courtesy of: South Carolina Aquarium

Interview with Jacksonville Shark’s Head Coach Les Moss

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Earlier this week I got a chance to speak to the head coach of the Jacksonville Sharks during a practice session. The team was getting prepared for the big game tonight, Friday July 30th, against the Spokane Shock. (Click here to watch the video from the game Sharks vs. Spokane Shock)

Coach Moss talked to me about the game against the Battlewings and also about how much the team appreciates their fans.

Tonight is the last game of the regular season before the playoffs, it’s also fan appreciation night.

As usual, I’m going to be at the arena filming. You’ll probably see me and my trusty camera woman outside during Shark Fest. Come up and talk to us about what you think about Jacksonville’s awesome arena football team.

Click here to buy your tickets to the game now!

BRIDGE OF LIONS 5K RUN 2010

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The Bridge of Lions reopened this year after long renovation, and this weekend it’s time for the popular 5K in St. Augustine.

The race will begin at the southern end of the Castillo de San Marcos on Avenida Menendez, then south on Avenida Menendez, east over the Bridge of Lions, and through Davis Shores for the finish. The race starts at 7:30 a.m. and finishes by 10:30 a.m.

For more information, call 904.815.1004.


Lifeguard Competition – Folly Beach, SC

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Baywatch in Real Life

Come watch when Folly Beach turn into a real competition for real lifeguards. David Hasselhoff would probably not qualify for a spot in this tough contest – and I don’t think Pamela Anderson is coming either – but that doesn’t mean it won’t be fun to watch.

Local and regional lifeguards will come together to compete in a challenge that showcases and tests lifesaving skills, the 13th Annual SCRPA Lifeguard Competition, on Friday, June 25.

Organized by Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) and the Mount Pleasant Recreation Department, the day-long event brings together beach, pool and waterpark lifeguards from across South Carolina. The competition is held on behalf of the SCRPA Aquatics Branch with the goal of encouraging guards to improve their lifesaving skills and training.

“The lifeguard competition continues to be a motivating tool for lifeguards throughout South Carolina, giving them the chance to perfect and test their skills against fellow lifeguards,” said Michael Bradley, CCPRC’s Assistant Ocean Access Manager.

Bradley adds that lifeguard teams from across the state are encouraged to sign up. “Participants get the opportunity to have fun and compete in a variety of events in both the pool and ocean settings,” he says.

The competition kicks off at 8:30 a.m. with pool events at the Mount Pleasant Recreation Department’s R.L. Jones Center pool, then moves to Folly Beach County Park around 1 p.m.

Pool events at the R.L. Jones Center feature team competition in both speed races and lifesaving techniques, including Spinal Injury Management, Brick Tow Relay, 50-Yard Sprint, Submerged Deep Water Rescue with CPR, 500-Yard Swim and 100-Yard Relay events. The action-packed beach events on Folly will have teams running in and out of the water as they simulate rescues and compete in fitness tests, including the Run-Swim-Run, One-Mile Run, Beach Flags and Active Rescue events.

An awards ceremony will immediately follow the competition, with awards given to first, second and third-placing teams.

To qualify to compete, all participants must be certified through an accredited agency. Teams must be composed of 3 to 4 members, with at least one male and one female on each team. Entry fees are $50 per team and proof of certification must be furnished with registration.

Competitions are open to the public. For more information call (843) 795-PARK or email mbradley@ccprc.com.

Things To Do for Father’s Day in Jacksonville, Florida

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Museum of Science & History Jacksonville

THINGS TO DO FOR FATHER’S DAY IN THE JACKSONVILLE ARE

This weekend it’s Father’s Day.  For Mother’s Day many of us like to take our parent out for breakfast, lunch or dinner – and fathers will enjoy a nice meal to.  I have found a few interesting things you can do in the Jacksonville area with your Dad.


Father’s Day at MOSH
Sons of the Desert Laurel & Hardy Film Screening – June 20, 2010
Witness Jacksonville film history as you watch films starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, many of which were filmed right here in Jacksonville. Admittance is free to MOSH members, “Any Old Port Tent” members or with paid museum admission. Films will play immediately following the Sons of the Desert’s monthly meeting held at 2 p.m.

Free Admission for Fathers
In celebration of Father’s Day, fathers receive free admission to MOSH when accompanied by their child(ren) on June 20, 2010.

Father’s Day at the Jacksonville Zoo

On Sunday June 20th, 2010, the Zoo has a special “Buy One – Get One Free”, so for Dads who want to take a child to the Zoo, or vice versa – Father’s Day could be the day to visit the zoo.  Please note, for the special price on admission you need to print out the coupon from their website. Click here to get to the coupon now!

Love Unbreakable

Love Unbreakable
Another idea is to take Dad to the Florida Theater to watch a comedy about love and relationships. Love Unbreakable is an amusing, remarkable, and fresh stage play that reveals how devotion, strength, and hard work are must have features to maintain the “I Do” in these damaged marriages.

Sunday, June 20, 2010
Event Time: 7 PM
Click here for more information!

World Golf Hall of Fame on Father’s Day

If you’re Dad is a golf enthusiast, why not take a road trip to the World Golf of Village for Father’s Day. Actually, it’s the Eighth Annual Community Day taking place on  Sunday, June 20, 2010  from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This is a perfect event — not only for Dad — but also for the rest of the family.

The World Golf Hall of Fame offers free admission for everyone for its annual Community Day which takes place on June 20th. The first 500 Dads who walk through the doors will also receive a goody bag filled with gifts, coupons and certificates. All dads receive a complimentary round on the Hall of Fame’s 18-hole, natural-grass putting course and half-price admission to one film at the World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX® Theater.

Activities will include:

> Father/Child Putting Contest on Hall of Fame’s outdoor putting course
> Long-drive contest on Hall of Fame’s indoor, state-of-the-art simulator
> U.S. Open self-guided tour
> Photo opportunity with U.S. Open trophy
> Mini-aircraft display by the Florida Air National Guard
> Rock-climbing wall
> Florida Air National Guard Starbase Science tent
> Jacksonville Jaguars ROAR cheerleaders

World Golf Hall of Fame at World Golf Village I-95, Exit 323, St. Augustine, Fla.

For more information, call 904-940-4123 or visit www.worldgolfhalloffame.org .