The Lowcountry goes high: ZipLine Hilton Head opens April 17

Pam Freedman wants Hilton Head Island and the Lowcountry to get high.

Not Bob Marley and The Wailers, Cheech and Chong kind of high, but high enough you'll "wheee" yourself with pure adrenaline like the pig in the GEICO insurance commercial.

Starting next Tuesday you can fly down a zipline at Broad Creek Marina, owned by Freedman and her husband Roger, and "wheeee" yourself silly. Pinwheels are optional.

Zipline Hilton Head is launching its service Monday, April 16 and opens to the public the following day.

Hilton Head Mayor Drew Laughlin, town manager Steve Riley and Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce president Bill Miles will be on hand Monday to mark the launch of the "eco-tour park" and promote "green" tourism on the island.

U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-South Carolina, visited the property yesterday after the opening ceremony of the RBC Heritage to praise the Freedmans’ ingenuity, which they say has created 50 jobs.

VIDEO: Watch staff photographer Jay Karr's video as he zips through the island's trees.

A partnership between a nonprofit group and Beaufort County could bring a second zip line company to the area.

Direct Instructional Support Systems is negotiating to bring the zip line tour and walking and biking trails to the Okatie Regional Park, which the county purchased in two parcels between 2000 and 2004 through its Rural and Critical Lands Program.

The Ohio-based organization hopes to start construction soon and could complete it within months. Direct Instruction Support would offer a two-and-a-half hour guided tour that would lead groups through the tree canopies.

Read more here.

Here's a copy of the news release sent Monday:

April 9, 2012 – Flying over and thru the trees for about 2 hours of zipping thrills, overlooking the
water, marshes and boats, learning about local ecology and laughing with your zipline group and
guides...welcome to ZipLine hilton head, the Island’s new destination at Broad Creek Marina
Land and Water Adventures, opening April 17. The 2011 South Carolina Visitors’ Guide
noted that today’s modern family should “start with the zip…to tear tweeting, texting teens away
from their electronics and into family fun.”

ZipLine hilton head features 8 ziplines including a dual cable 900 ft. racing zipline finale (as
in the Geico piggy “wheeee” ad); 3 suspended sky bridges; and an aerial spiral staircase, all
connected to 8 tree platforms and 4 towers, with heights to 75 ft. It is the only zipline tour within
a 250 mile radius of HHI and is located on Broad Creek Marina’s 15-acre waterfront site.

Broad Creek Marina Adventures already features kayaking, parasailing, dolphin nature tours
and the popular Up the Creek Pub & Grill, chosen by “Southern Living Weekends” as 1 of 4
Island restaurants to visit. Additional outdoor eco-activities planned for summer 2012 include a
ropes course, a bungee trampoline, a rock climbing wall and a Lil’ Zipper for youngsters.

Designed and built by S.T.E.P.S, a company involved with 7 of the top 10 zipline tours
nationally (source: USA Today), ZipLine hilton head reflects the boom in both eco-tourism
and ziplining around the world. Two guides lead groups up to 8; ages 10 and older; weight
requirements from 80 lbs. to 250 lbs. Zipline tours run 365 days a year; initial price is $89 per
person; discounts for active military; gift certificates available.

The entire Broad Creek Marina Adventures complex is owned by Roger Freedman. He
bought Broad Creek Marina wet slips and dry storage 20 years ago, added Up the Creek Pub &
Grill in 2005, and is realizing his eco-tourism vision with Broad Creek Marina Adventures, all
located at 33 Broad Creek Marina Way,(off Marshland Rd. & Cross Island), Hilton Head Island,
South Carolina.

Reservations: ZipLinehiltonhead.com or call 843.682.6000