Hilton Head Sports

WORLD CHAMPION SURFER SHAUN TOMSON BRINGS MESSAGE TO TEDXHILTONHEAD

BY ELLEN LINNEMANN

Known as one of the greatest surfers of all time and one of the most influential surfers of the century, Shaun Tomson has been riding waves since 1965 when, as a 9-year-old boy in South Africa, he stood up on a surfboard for the first time.

TIPS FOR LOWCOUNTRY FISHING

SPECIAL TO HILTON HEAD MONTHLY 

Fishing is a year-round activity in the Lowcountry. For those that want to keep their feet on the land, lagoon and surf fishing are popular choices. For those looking for a bit more adventure, inshore and offshore fishing may be the ticket.

BY JUSTIN JARRETT | PHOTO SUPPLIED

VITTO ALSO HONED HIS SKILLS ON A SURFBOARD AS A RESULT OF HIS TIME WORKING AT THE SUNSET SURATT SURF ACADEMY

Alex Vitto was born on Hilton Head Island. Raised here. Rooted here. He did all the things a privileged kid growing up at the beach should do — he fished, he surfed, he worked food service.

But it wasn’t until Vitto left for another island — an archipelago, to be exact — that he found himself and the life he wanted to lead when he came back home.

MAKENNA MASON PROVIDES LEADERSHIP ON THE VOLLEYBALL COURT

BY JUSTIN JARRETT | PHOTO BY RITTERBECK PHOTOGRAPHY

Makenna Mason grew up on the volleyball court — or nearby — hanging around while her mom coached the middle school team at St. Francis Catholic School. She eagerly awaited her ascension to fifth grade, when she could join the team.

MARK RENNIX RELISHES TENURE AS LONGTIME OFFICIAL

BY JUSTIN JARRETT | PHOTOS BY ROB KAUFMANN

If you’ve been to a sporting event in Beaufort County in the past two decades, there’s a good chance you’ve seen Mark Rennix. If you’re the type who must let officials know every time they missed a call — or made a borderline call one way or the other — you’ve probably yelled at him.

SMITH STEARNS TENNIS ACADEMY CELEBRATES 20 YEARS

BY MARK E. LETT | PHOTOS BY ROB KAUFMAN

When the Smith Stearns Tennis Academy hosts junior athletes at The Sea Pines Resort, more is offered than a world-class training opportunity.

Much more.

Lowcountry teams have successful spring season

By Justin Jarrett

Around here there are some things you can set your clock by each spring — the azaleas blooming right on time, the weather being perfect for sundresses on Saturday at the RBC Heritage and Hilton Head Prep scooping up state titles on the tennis courts.

USCB GRAD CORY COTTRELL RETURNS TO COACH GOLF TEAMS

STORY BY JUSTIN JARRETT | PHOTO BY ROB KAUFMAN

When his collegiate golf career was over and Cory Cottrell began his graduate studies in sport psychology, he constantly found himself wishing he’d had the knowledge he was gaining while he was still playing competitively.

Now he’s committed to ensuring the golfers following in his footsteps are better prepared.

PARKER STEWART, 7 YEARS OLD, IS A RACE CAR NATURAL

BY JUSTIN JARRETT | PHOTOS BY ROB KAUFMAN

It was almost a given that Parker Stewart eventually would climb behind the wheel of a race car. It was in his blood.

But even his dad — a professional driver himself and the son of a race car driver — didn’t expect it to be at age 3.