Watersports near Sumter? (Charleston, Marion: homes, to live, activities)

[danheit]

Hey guys, just curious, are there any places for outdoor watersport activities near Sumter? Coming from the beach, I am used to being able to get on the water every weekend during the spring/summer/fall (and sometimes even winter!), but I don't see any bodies of water near Sumter that would allow a jetski, ski boat, or even a decent sized fishing boat in the water. For that matter, I would also like to live somewhat close to the water, and by that I don't mean one of the many storm drainage ditches that builders put homes around and call lakes. I know that Lake Marion isn't too terribly far away, but I was looking for something a bit closer. Anybody have any good info?

[rubber_factory]

No, not really. Portions of Lake Marion are within 20-30 minutes of Sumter, that's the only big water in the area. Lake Wateree is to the north, I guess 45 minutes or so away. Lake Murray oughta be about 1.5 hours away. You can take a go-devil through the Pocataligo swamp, you can take a little jon boat on Lake Ashwood, I think the max is a 9.9hp motor. But Lake Marion is what you're looking for, I think.

I saw on an earlier thread that you're looking for a water route to Charleston. You can put in on the Wateree River on US 378, or in Lake Marion (they lead the same place). Follow the channel markers (I repeat.. definitely follow the channel markers), and head to the southeast corner of Marion, and go through the locks. Once you're through the locks, follow the diversion canal into Moultrie. Cross Moultrie, head to the pinopolis locks at the south end of moultrie. That will spit you out into the tailrace canal, which is the Cooper River, and takes you south into Charleston. It is a day-long trip.

[CarolinaBredChicagoan]

Yeah, Marion's really your best bet. It doesn't take that long to get there, though. 45 min, tops.

I know of some mill ponds and such where folks engage in limited watersports, but those are pretty much private.

Maybe one of the rivers? The Wateree, perhaps? I've seen some boat traffic out there, but am not sure of the rules and regs on the river.