from the editor

I love being in water. I love that clear, cool swishing feeling around my ears. In fact, on a warm, sunny day, I like to go outside and get as hot as possible and then dive into a cool pool. For me, it's refreshment at its finest.

This love of water is something that I've discovered in adulthood. I am definitely not a born swimmer. I remember attending YMCA day camp when I was 9 or 10 years old. The program included swimming lessons, and the class for my age group was "Trout." The teacher quickly decided that my dog-paddling skills did not make me a trout, and I was demoted to the tadpoles. Going from fish to frog when you are a prepubescent girl feels like the end of the world.

But I think my 3-year-old son Evan has a better start. He loves the water (but hates to have his hair washed). We'll spend much of this summer at the water parks (tip: Splash Island is perfect for young children). Evan will wear his water wings and jump into the water as many times as mom and dad can handle, and he'll get a great thrill from little water slides.

Summer may be hot in the Lowcountry, but it's also a great time to enjoy all that's wet and wild. Besides three water parks, there are numerous local pools and, of course, our beautiful ocean. Visit the renovated Folly Pier, travel to the picturesque port city of Wilmington, try some wreckfish, and take your golden retriever for a swim in the deep blue sea.

I should start thinking about swimming lessons for Evan. I hear that it's never too early to start, and I certainly don't want him to experience going from trout to tadpole. That's one lesson I hope he'll never have to learn.