About Us

Sue Chapman and Linda Etchells, the tour-guiding pair known as the Swampgirls, paddled their way into the hearts of their friends and neighbors by blazing trails through the Cypress Swamp.  It seemed they had both been drawn to the area because of the lush water landscapes.  They arrived in Hilton Head in the early 90's and found kayaking like everyone else by taking a tour for the first time.  They saw quickly that the average kayak outing didn't begin to capture what they felt was so special about this sport.  They moved from Hilton Head to Hardeeville and it became their mission to expose people to the eerie, backwater cathedral inhabited by a congregation of creatures who are often misunderstood. 

Swamp Girls hung out their tiny wooden sign in front of their home, tucked into the woods above the bank on the Savannah River.  They didn't know who would be willing to take a chance on their idea of a fun kayak trip.  Quickly, people began to hear about their tours for beginners.  A host of people who caught the kayaking "bug" joined them and now they and their other Swamp Girl staff members, are the perfect choice for kayaking guides.  It's all about the beautiful colored, easy to use equipment they can provide on each trip with their delicious snacks included.  

Sue and Linda infused each tour with stories and enthusiasm about the history of the place you are seeing.  In an effort to keep things fresh and exciting they add new places to their schedule.  They also customize each excursion with frequent stops for swimming and snacks a great time for fun and laughter.  Safety and personal attention to small details is most important to Sue, who will often ask a staff member to take someone under their wing and paddle alongside this new comer to make their experience a comfortable one.

Linda, who is a navigation expert designs the routes and will access the weather conditions during a trip to reduce any risk factors.  The wilderness here will simply blow you away with photo opportunities and encounters with the bizarre beauty one sees in a swamp ecosystem.  You will enjoy the flowers that bloom in various seasons and birds that nest and then fledge right in front of your eyes as your quiet boats paddles on. A centerpiece of their salt water tour on the exciting May River, is of wild Atlantic bottle nose dolphin "mud feeding" which happens during low tide.  These secretive animals hurl themselves out of the water onto a sandbar to scoop fish into their gullet and you can witness this behavior up close. 

The most important thing to Sue and Linda is the fun and fellowship with friends who have  been paddling with them for years.  Kayaking is an experience needing to be shared and who better to share it than with the Swampgirls?

Last Updated April 19, 2008