Lake House Indoor Pool

On By SIPOAIn Lake House, Pools

As we head into a busy and exciting season at the Lake House Indoor Pool, we’d like to share a friendly reminder of our swimming guidelines to help ensure a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable experience for all.

INDOOR POOL LANE DESIGNATIONS | Seabrook Swim – to help accommodate all users, lanes are designated as follows during Seabrook Swim Hours:

  • Lane 1 (Stairs): Reserved for water therapy
  • Lane 2: Lap swimming
  • Lane 3: Lap swimming
  • Lane 4: Open swim
  • Lane 5: Open swim

INDOOR POOL LANE DESIGNATIONS | Group Exercise – group exercise classes are held in the Indoor Pool:

  • Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
  • Tuesday and Thursday from 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

During group exercise classes, lanes are designated as follows:

  • Lane 1 (Stairs): Group exercise
  • Lane 2: Group exercise
  • Lane 3: Group exercise
  • Lane 4: Group exercise
  • Lane 5: Lap swimming
    • Please note: Lane 5 is reserved for lap swimming only.

Amenities & Activities Committee Update 2026

On By SIPOAIn Activities

Dear Seabrook Island Property Owners,

As we move into Spring 2026, I’m pleased to provide this update on the Amenities and Activities Committee’s accomplishments from last year and our exciting goals for the year ahead. Our committee remains dedicated to enhancing the social, recreational, and wellness opportunities that make Seabrook Island such a vibrant place to live, aligning with SIPOA’s mission to preserve property values and improve quality of life for all Property Owners.

Accomplishments in 2025 – 2025 was a transformative year for the committee, building on our rebranding from the Activities Committee to the Amenities & Activities Committee in early 2025. This change expanded our scope to better focus on reviewing, promoting, and improving the island’s many amenities, over 20 in total, from facilities like the Lake House to natural spaces such as trails and waterways.

Key highlights include:

  • Trail Enhancements: We completed and rebranded the Lake House Fitness Trail, adding outdoor workout stations to promote fitness and wellness while enjoying the island’s natural beauty. Additionally, the Marsh to Breakers Trail was finished, providing a scenic path that connects key areas and encourages greater exploration of our conserved lands.
  • New Amenities Guide: The committee invested significant time in creating the “Island Life”, a comprehensive new SIPOA Amenities and Activities guide. This resource details our trails, observation areas, water access points, and more, helping Property Owners discover and utilize these assets to foster a stronger sense of community.
  • Events and Programming: We coordinated four successful all-island events, including the Memorial Day Luau on the Lake House lawn, which welcomed new Property Owners with a pig roast and live music. Our “Get the Scoop” series continued with sessions on topics like the Property Owner Portal and “Who Does What?” featuring TOSI, SIPOA, and SIC representatives.

These efforts only increased awareness and usage of existing amenities, but also strengthened community bonds through inclusive programming.

Welcomed Two New Lake House Staff Members – We are thrilled to welcome two new team members to the Lake House staff: Hannah Rice and Whitney Benson. Their energy and expertise will greatly support our events, facility operations, and community engagement efforts moving forward.

Goals for 2026 – Looking forward, our focus is on building upon these foundations through targeted work groups and strategic initiatives outlined in SIPOA’s 2026-27 Strategic Plan. We’ll continue prioritizing cost-effective improvements, expanded programing, and collaboration to enhance engagement and quality of life.

Work Group Priorities:

  • Trails & Observation Areas: Assess and prioritize enhancements for remaining trails. We will explore the possibility of incorporating additional paths into our trail system, as well as enhancing various nature viewing-observation areas. We’ll explore feasibility for an interconnected island trail system, potentially linking the Lake House to the beach.
  • Water Access: Partner with the General Operations and Maintenance Committee (GOMC) to improve the kayak launch, Crab Dock, and fishing areas across SIPOA-owned bridges, lakes, ponds, and marsh locations. We’ll look to identify additional sites to expand opportunities for fishing and kayaking.

Amenity Expansion & Programming – Continue evaluating underutilized assets, with a prioritized multi-year plan based on costs, benefits, and Property Owner feedback. This includes brainstorming sponsored activities to boost awareness and utilization, such as guided nature walks and wellness events.

Events & Collaboration – Coordinate our four annual all-island events (Oyster Roast, Luau, July 4th, and Thanksgiving Week) with the Lake House staff. We’ll also partner with other SIPOA committees for relevant “Get the Scoop” programs and assist with special interest groups with their requests. This year, we’re excited to collaborate with the Seabrook Island Green Space Conservancy and the Safety and Security Committee for an Earth Day-inspired event – the Tour de Greenspace on Sunday, April 26th. This family-friendly event highlights bike safety and the importance of protecting our conserved green spaces.

Master Plan Support – Collaborate with the SIPOA arm of the Master Plan Committee on concepts for the Lake House, Oyster Catcher Community Center, and other amenities ensuring phased improvements align with community needs.

Mark your calendars…

  • April 26 – Tour de Green Space hosted by the Seabrook Island Green Space Conservancy (SIGSC) with the Safety and Security Committee. Begin with a brief bike safety overview, then enjoy a self-guided, family-friendly ride through Seabrook Island’s conserved green spaces while brushing up on bike safety along the way.
  • May 11 – Get the Scoop: Meet the Executive Director plus a brief discussion on Master Plan projects at the Lake House, Live Oak Hall; 4:00pm.
  • May 23 – Luau to welcome new Property Owners and celebrate the beginning of Summer. This is an all-island event for Seabrook Island Property Owners. Event details – Location: Lake House Lawn; Time: 4:00 – 7:00pm; Pig roast; Live music.

Thank you for your support as we work to make Seabrook Island even more enjoyable. Let’s make 2026 a year of continued growth and connection!

Amenities & Activities members: Jean Daly, Bradford Hood, Heather Howard-Haffey, Paula McGill, Sarah Normandia, Joseph Ritchie, Beth Wright, Michelle Wiedemuth (Chair), Richie Bavasso (Vice Chair)

Submitted by Michelle Wiedemuth, Amenities & Activities Chair

Stormwater Projects Update 2026

On By SIPOAIn Engineering, GOMC

OLD FOREST PIPE REPLACEMENT

Construction is complete on Old Forest Drive.

The undersized pipe has been replaced with a 2ft by 4ft box culvert to increase the flow capacity between the two ponds within the finger lakes.

The road has been replaced and is open to vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

OYSTER CATCHER OUTFALL EXCAVATIONS

The stormwater outfall excavation into the marsh from Oyster Catcher Drive is nearly complete. As of this writing, the contractor has completed 450 out of 500 feet of new channel excavation.

The project should be completed by early April and will provide improved stormwater drainage after a rain event in this area.

FINGER LAKES OUTFALL STRUCTURE REPLACEMENT

Construction will begin in early April to replace the outfall structure that discharges stormwater from the finger lakes into the marsh.

New automated controls will be installed to more effectively control water levels in the lakes and prevent tidal flooding into the ponds.

This work is expected to take 3-4 months.

The Importance of Strength Training while taking a GLP-1 Medication

On By SIPOAIn Fitness, Lake House, Wellness

Strength training is especially important when taking a GLP-1 medication like Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro because these drugs often cause rapid weight loss, and without resistance exercise, a significant portion of that weight can come from muscle, not just fat.

  1. Preserve Muscle Mass: GLP-1 medications reduce appetite and calorie intake. When calories drop quickly, the body may break down muscle for energy. Strength training signals the body to maintain and build muscle, helping ensure more of the weight lost is fat rather than lean tissue.
  2. Protects Metabolism: Muscle is metabolically active tissue. Losing muscle lowers your resting metabolic rate, which can make long-term weight maintenance harder. Strength training helps keep metabolism higher during weight loss.
  3. Improves Body Composition: People on GLP-1s can lose a lot of scale weight but still end up “skinny-fat” (lower weight but higher body fat percentage). Resistance training shifts the result toward fat loss with muscle retention, improving how the body looks and functions.
  4. Maintains Strength & Function: Muscle loss can lead to fatigue, weakness, and reduced physical function. Training preserves mobility, balance, and everyday strength, which becomes increasingly important with age.
  5. Supports Blood Sugar Control: Strength training increases insulin sensitivity and helps muscles store glucose more effectively, complementing how GLP-1 medications regulate blood sugar.

GLP-1 drugs help you eat less, but strength training tells your body what weight to lose (fat instead of muscle)

For more information on Strength Training while taking a GLP-1 medication or to schedule a personal training appointment with Nancy Steen, please email nsteen@sipoa.org.

TST Funding & Our SBI Road Improvement Project

On By SIPOAIn Seabrook Island Club, SIPOA, Town of Seabrook Island

A joint letter from The Town, The Club, and SIPOA

Take the survey here!

An Open Letter to the Seabrook Island Community

Dear Residents, Property Owners, Employees, and Friends of Seabrook Island:

The leaders of the Town of Seabrook Island, the Seabrook Island Property Owners Association, and the Seabrook Island Club are united in asking for your help.

Charleston County Council is currently preparing a Transportation Sales Tax referendum that may appear on the ballot in 2026. The draft project list under consideration includes approximately $4.25 billion in funding for road, transit, bike/pedestrian, and greenbelt projects throughout the county.

Unfortunately, the draft project list does not include a single dollar for projects within the town limits of Seabrook Island.

This omission is particularly concerning given the importance—and vulnerability—of Seabrook Island Road, the only means of vehicular access to and from our community.

Low-lying segments of Seabrook Island Road regularly experience tidal flooding during high tides and storm events. When flooding occurs, access to the island can be significantly restricted or completely cut off. This creates serious risks for residents, employees, and visitors and can delay response times from police, fire and emergency medical services.

During a nor’easter in December 2023, first responders were forced to rescue occupants from vehicles stranded in floodwaters on Seabrook Island Road. The roadway became impassable, and our entire community was effectively cut off from the rest of the county until floodwaters receded.

Each day, approximately 7,700 vehicle trips travel along Seabrook Island Road. The corridor serves more than 2,100 full-time residents, 2,600 dwelling units, and thousands of visitors, while also supporting more than 2,400 businesses, contractors, and employees who rely on safe and reliable access to the island. It is also a vital gateway to destinations such as the MUSC Medical Pavilion, Bohicket Marina, Freshfields Village, St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center, and numerous local employers.

For years, improving Seabrook Island Road has been identified as the Town’s highest transportation priority. The proposed Seabrook Island Road Improvement Project would elevate flood-prone segments of the roadway and improve drainage to reduce tidal flooding and improve reliability.

Importantly, this project is already well advanced in design and permitting and is expected to be shovel-ready by the time sales tax collections begin in 2027.

Simply put, this project must move forward. Reliable access to Seabrook Island is not optional—it is essential for public safety, emergency response, evacuation, and the continued vitality of our community.

If the Seabrook Island Road Improvement Project is included in the countywide transportation sales tax program, it can be funded through a revenue source Seabrook Island residents and visitors are already paying. If it is not included, the Town will need to pursue other funding options, such as bonds repaid through property taxes or other local taxes.

That outcome would be fundamentally unfair. Seabrook residents, property owners, employees, and visitors already contribute millions of dollars to the county transportation sales tax—helping finance projects throughout Charleston County. It is only reasonable that our community receive an appropriate investment in return. The Town’s request amounts to roughly one penny for every $10 in transportation sales taxes collected.

Our shared message to Charleston County is simple: Seabrook Island deserves transportation funding that is Faster, Fairer, and Safer.

  • Faster because this project is ready to move forward as soon as funding is secured.
  • Fairer because Seabrook Island residents and visitors have contributed to the transportation sales tax for decades but have not received comparable investment within the Town.
  • Safer because reliable access to the island is essential for emergency response, evacuation, and everyday travel.

We Need Your Voice!

Charleston County is currently asking the public to provide input through an online survey that will help determine which projects are included in the referendum.

We encourage every resident, property owner, employee, and visitor who cares about the future of Seabrook Island to participate.

Please take a moment to complete the county’s survey and tell County Council that our community needs Seabrook Island Road Now!

Take the survey here!

Your voice can help ensure that Seabrook Island receives the transportation investment necessary to protect public safety, strengthen our resilience to coastal flooding, and support the economic vitality of our community.

Thank you for your support and your advocacy.

Sincerely,

Bruce Kleinman
Mayor
Town of Seabrook Island

John Lassiter
President
Seabrook Island Property Owners Association

John Carpenter
President
Seabrook Island Club

SJFD CPR Certification Class – 4/22/26

On By SIPOAIn Lake House

The St. Johns Fire Department offers 4 CPR/AED classes for SIPOA annually. These classes occur quarterly on Wednesdays from 9:00am – 12:00pm at the Lake House, Osprey 1.

This class is for SIPOA, TOSI, SIC Employees, Officers, Board and Committee members, and other residents to receive CPR certification.

Each class has a maximum participation number of 20. 

NEXT CPR CLASS OFFERING:

When: Wednesday, April 22
Where: Lake House, Osprey 1
Time: 9:00am – 12:00pm

REGISTER HERE

Spring on Seabrook Island: Living Safely with Alligators

On By SIPOAIn Engineering, Environmental

Spring has arrived on Seabrook Island, and with the warmer weather comes increased activity from our island wildlife – including alligators.

Seabrook Island is home to a healthy population of American alligators, a native and important South Carolina species. Seeing an alligator in or near freshwater ponds and wetlands is a normal part of living in a coastal environment. With awareness and simple precautions, residents and visitors can safely coexist with these remarkable animals.

SIPOA maintains an Alligator Program Policy that guides staff response to alligator-related calls and concerns. This policy includes information about alligator habitats and behavior, helping staff determine when an alligator is behaving naturally – and when it may meet the criteria of a “nuisance alligator” under the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) Nuisance Alligator Program.

UNDERSTANDING ALLIGATOR BEHAVIOR

Alligators are generally shy and prefer to avoid people. They do not naturally view humans as prey. However, when alligators are fed – intentionally or unintentionally – they can begin to associate people with food. This learned behavior can make them bold and potentially aggressive.

Feeding or harassing an alligator not only endangers people and pets, but also ultimately harms the alligator. In South Carolina, it is illegal to feed or harass alligators.

Even tossing objects or splashing near the water can attract unwanted attention, as movement in the water signals a possible food source.

FOR YOUR SAFETY

Please follow these important guidelines:

  • Never feed alligators. Feeding them puts everyone at risk.
  • Keep your distance. Alligators can move quickly on land and in water.
  • Keep pets on a leash and away from pond edges.
  • Supervise children closely near any freshwater pond or wetland.
  • Do not attempt to move an alligator, even if it is in the roadway.
  • Do not approach nests or small alligators. Mother alligators are very protective.
  • Do not corner, trap, or throw objects at an alligator.
  • Remain alert around the shoreline of ponds and wetlands, especially at dawn and dusk when wildlife is most active.

SIPOA ALLIGATOR PROGRAM POLICY HIGHLIGHTS

SIPOA follows SCDNR guidelines when responding to concerns:

  • Alligators less than four feet in length are generally not considered a threat to people or pets.
  • Alligators four feet or longer that pose a demonstrable threat to people, pets, or property may be classified as “nuisance alligators.”
  • If removal is warranted, a professional alligator trapper licensed by SCDNR will be contacted. Under state regulations, nuisance alligators must be euthanized.

If you observe an alligator behaving aggressively or in a manner that appears unsafe, please contact the Gatehouse at (843) 768-6641. SIPOA staff will assess the situation in accordance with established policy.

By respecting wildlife and following these simple precautions, we can continue to safely enjoy the natural beauty that makes Seabrook Island so special.

Alligator Program Policy
Wildlife Sightings Portal
Photo by Ralph Secoy

Leaf Collection 2026

On By SIPOAIn Engineering

As spring gets closer, our annual oak leaf shed is underway. In an effort to keep these leaves out of our stormwater pipes and ponds, SIPOA will be working to collect these leaves.

Beginning Monday, March 16th, SIPOA will temporarily discontinue leaf blowing activities. Instead, street sweepers will be utilized to collect leaves from the roadways.

A picture of the street sweeper is shown below. Leaf collection will be carried out for a period of 5 weeks and will end on April 17th.

Last year, we were able to collect approximately 250 cubic yards of leaf debris from our roadways! The street sweeper cannot remove any leaves that are more than 6″ deep, and piling leaves on the roadways is not encouraged.

Thank you for your patience with leaf debris on the road as we work to keep our stormwater system functioning at its best.