The Rotary eClub of the Carolinas raised $500 for the Catawba Riverkeeper on Saturday with its first Inner Tube Regatta, a leisurely float down the Catawba River between Tega Cay and Rock Hill.
Participants drifted the stretch under clear skies, according to the club.
Club President Dann Dunn said, “This project was the brainchild of our newest member and fundraising chair, Tom Hyslip, who was inspired by a similar event in his hometown in Western New York.” Dunn also thanked Candace Wyman, Franca Meloncelli and Lance & Lenna Young for their help putting the regatta together.
The club plans a second regatta in early summer 2027 and expects it to run larger.
Sign up for our Sunday Spectator. Delivered to your inbox every Sunday, with all the news from the week.
Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place in column writing, education beat reporting and best podcast.
