GET OUT: Surfers to test the waters at Icebox Open

While this winter in Charleston, so far, has not been ice cold, a potentially new surfing tradition may be born this month with the appropriately titled contest the Icebox Open.

This will be a far cry from contests held in the summer and fall.

And while most local surf contest organizers pick a date and hope for good surf, the organizers of Icebox, the staff of Ocean Surf Shop on Folly Beach, are letting the surf help pick the contest date.

Based on the surf forecasts, the staff will pick one of the next three weekends (Feb. 11 or 12, or Feb. 17 or 18, or Feb. 24 or 25) for the one-day contest, to be held at The Washout on Folly Beach. An announcement will be made about four or five days before the contest via Ocean's website, Facebook page, email list and local media sources.

"Everyone in this part of the world seems to associate surf contests with warm, sunny days, bikinis and board shorts," Ocean Surf Shop owner Scott Quattlebaum said. "We wanted to create a contest that recognizes the hard-core South Carolina surfing community. The guys that charge it all year round.

"It's not easy or appealing to put on a hooded 4/3 wetsuit, and 5 millimeter gloves and booties to surf in the freezing cold water after a windy cold front passage in February, but it sure can be fun if you have the right attitude," he said.

In creating the Icebox Open, Quattlebaum and Ocean Surf Shop Manager Bates Hagood chose the month with the best chance for frigid temperatures. The average water temperature is in the 50s. Last Friday, the water temperature in Charleston Harbor was 56, practically polar for thin-blooded Southerners.

In an effort to lure some surfers out of hibernation, the contest is offering a grand prize of $1,000 for the men's open contest and $400 for the women's open contest.

More at www.oceansurfshop.com or 588-9175.

Sane winter tradition

Meanwhile, three local oyster roasts this weekend are particularly outdoorsy and very local (I can attest, I've been to all three over the past decade or so).

The biggest one of the three is the Sullivan's Island Fire and Rescue Squad Oyster Roast 5-8 p.m. Saturday at the Fish Fry Shack near Fort Moultrie on the island. The event is $25 in advance and $30 at the gate. Tickets are available today and Friday at the Sullivan's Island Fire Station, Town Hall, Piggly Wiggly at Sea Island Shopping Center, Simmons Seafood and Exit Realty.

Not into oysters? The event also offers fish stew, hot dogs and plenty of beer.

The Coastal Cyclists will hold its annual oyster roast and membership drive 1- 4 p.m. Saturday at the Stono Shelter at James Island County Park. Participants are urged to bring a dish to share. Oysters and beer will be provided. The cost is joining the club: $20 for singles and $30 for families.

More at www.coastalcyclists.org.

The Charleston Chapter of the Sierra Club, the Robert Lunz Group, will hold its annual oyster roast and auction 2-5 p.m. Sunday at Bowen's Island restaurant.

The cost is $20 for adults, $15 for students, and $5 for children ages 6-12. Children under 6 get in free.

Palmetto draft beer will be available for a $2 donation.

The event includes oysters, chili, hot dogs and Ben & Jerry's ice cream.

There also will be an auction, including restaurant gift certificates, sailing classes, kayak tours, gift baskets, books, theater tickets, hot-stone massage and more.

Attendees are asked to bring their own reusable cup, plate and eating utensils to cut down on waste.

More at southcarolina.sierraclub.org/lunz or 364-1976.

Go Red! Heart 5K

February is National Heart Health Awareness Month, and what better way to celebrate heart health than to run or walk? The second annual Go Red! Heart 5K Run & Walk in Memory of Robin Seay will be at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina Pavilion. The fee is $30. A registration and packet pick-up party will be 5-8 p.m. Friday at the resort. Race day registration is 7-8:15 p.m. Saturday.

More details at www.muschealth.com/goredrun.