The Summer of 2023 was one of a major milestone for my family. I’m not talking about passing the last test to obtain my six-pack captain’s license or my 18-year-old daughter’s freshman year as a University of South Carolina Gamecock. I’m not even referring to my 14-year-old son Fritz’s launch as a James Island Charter High School Trojan. No, as a boating parent, something more daunting—and arguably more significant—happened. For this was the summer that my wife and I stood on our dock and waved as both of our kids cast off and drove our 21-foot Hydra-Sports center console away with their friends—solo.
Parenthood is, by definition, a litany of milestones and firsts: crawls, words, steps, school days and hopefully, training-wheel-free bike rides. Ours have also included: plays, talent shows, dance recitals, fish landings, surf
