About The Club
Palmetto Rowing Club history
Bill Killhour, founder of the Palmetto Rowing Club
By Dr. Luther Strayer
Born in 1925, Bill was in business in Philadelphia when his son began rowing in a New England secondary school. Bill became fascinated with rowing, gave up squash and in 1975 joined a rowing club on Boathouse Row. Philadelphia was the capital of rowing in the USA at that time. He must have rowed with rowing legend Joe Burke, as he rowed here in classic Joe Burke style. He also must have been a quick study because in 1985 he went to Europe to his first of many FISA (the governing body of world rowing) World Masters Championships. He won a total of 39 Gold medals up though 1994. The last 4 were after a total hip replacement!
He and Josie, his wife, moved to Hilton Head in 1986 and started the Palmetto Rowing Club the next year. In 1989 he, along with Walt Graver, helped develop what at that time was South Carolina’s only high school rowing program. The Hilton Head High School crew became a varsity sport in 1997.
In addition he developed and promoted a fall regatta, The Head of The Broad, which was a staggered 3 mile race from Broad Creek Marina to the Old Oyster Factory. While successful, it couldn’t attain an annual status because one fixed date each year would not allow for tidal variation. He also put Hilton Head on the map as a low budget location for Spring break practice for the ice bound Eastern collegiate crews.
He was a great coach to the kids and almost the singular driving force behind the growth of the PRC as well as a force in the Town of Hilton Head Island and his Church where he sang in the choir. He died 4 December 2004 after a long hard fight with cancer.
Palmetto Rowing Club today
* Single membership, annual: $300
* Family membership, annual: $450
* Seasonal membership (for part-year residents only), 3 months: $75
We come from a diverse set of backgrounds; some are retired, some are still working. We have doctors, teachers, dentists, sales & marketing professionals, stay-at-home moms, contractors, entrepreneurs--in all shapes, sizes and ages. Once a year, usually in the Fall, we gather at someone’s home for a fun evening over cocktails and dinner. Please consider joining--it's a lot of fun!
Bill Killhour, founder of the Palmetto Rowing Club
By Dr. Luther Strayer
Born in 1925, Bill was in business in Philadelphia when his son began rowing in a New England secondary school. Bill became fascinated with rowing, gave up squash and in 1975 joined a rowing club on Boathouse Row. Philadelphia was the capital of rowing in the USA at that time. He must have rowed with rowing legend Joe Burke, as he rowed here in classic Joe Burke style. He also must have been a quick study because in 1985 he went to Europe to his first of many FISA (the governing body of world rowing) World Masters Championships. He won a total of 39 Gold medals up though 1994. The last 4 were after a total hip replacement!
He and Josie, his wife, moved to Hilton Head in 1986 and started the Palmetto Rowing Club the next year. In 1989 he, along with Walt Graver, helped develop what at that time was South Carolina’s only high school rowing program. The Hilton Head High School crew became a varsity sport in 1997.
In addition he developed and promoted a fall regatta, The Head of The Broad, which was a staggered 3 mile race from Broad Creek Marina to the Old Oyster Factory. While successful, it couldn’t attain an annual status because one fixed date each year would not allow for tidal variation. He also put Hilton Head on the map as a low budget location for Spring break practice for the ice bound Eastern collegiate crews.
He was a great coach to the kids and almost the singular driving force behind the growth of the PRC as well as a force in the Town of Hilton Head Island and his Church where he sang in the choir. He died 4 December 2004 after a long hard fight with cancer.
Palmetto Rowing Club today
- The Club currently has 39 active members, ranging in age from 16 to 75
- Our membership is equally split between men and women, 70% of whom learned to row right here on Hilton Head
- We have a good sized fleet of single, double, and quad sculls to interest rowers of all ages and skill levels
- We row on scenic Broad Creek and share its pristine beauty with dozens of dolphins, bald eagles, pelicans, ibises, and blue herons
- Many people sign up for introductory lessons at our annual Learn to Row Day held each year in early May. Although that is a convenient way to join the Club, one can do so at any time by contacting the Club by email at Palmetto_Rowing@yahoo.com
- Most people can “solo” after 2-3 lessons. Once the instructor feels that they are competent rowers, novices then must row 3-4 times with a designated mentor, and pass a swim test and “get back in the boat” drill before they are certified as full members. This is done to ensure their safety while out on the water.
- Dues plans are as follows:
* Single membership, annual: $300
* Family membership, annual: $450
* Seasonal membership (for part-year residents only), 3 months: $75
- Membership in the Club gives you access to any of the Club’s boats, oars, etc. By comparison, a new Intermediate single scull can cost $4,000-$5,000 and a set of oars $600. High performance sculls range from $5,000-$12,000.
- In addition to the dues, each member is required to pitch in when manpower is needed for boathouse and boat maintenance or to help with the planning of club activities like Learn to Row Day.
We come from a diverse set of backgrounds; some are retired, some are still working. We have doctors, teachers, dentists, sales & marketing professionals, stay-at-home moms, contractors, entrepreneurs--in all shapes, sizes and ages. Once a year, usually in the Fall, we gather at someone’s home for a fun evening over cocktails and dinner. Please consider joining--it's a lot of fun!
