No jockeys required for upcoming race in Beaufort

Every so often something comes across my desk that is genuine and sparks a good bit of interest. Such is the case of the upcoming shrimp race.

For those of you belonging to a special interest group sparked by the concept that racing shrimp has to be cruel, you can get off your soapbox and put away the phone book. The shrimp in question are made of rubber.

The Sea Island Rotary Club has generated quite a stir with its Charity Shrimp Race scheduled for Oct. 3 during Beaufort's annual Shrimp Festival. My e-mail and has been crowded with questions from genuine to ridiculous, so to clarify things and save my hard drive, let me fill you in on the details.

The race begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. The Sea Island Rotary Club is seeking individuals and businesses to adopt shrimp for a minimum donation of $10 per shrimp. All proceeds will go to charity, including Beaufort Children's Charities, Community Service Projects, an International Water Project and Polio Plus, Rotary International's ongoing effort to end polio. Go to www.SeaIslandRotary.org for a detailed description of all beneficiaries of the event,

THE RACE

You don't need a fancy hat, reserved seating or a mint julep to enjoy the event. Your generosity, if you choose to sponsor a shrimp, is all that is required. This is the Lowcountry. We know how to have a good time without all the pomp and circumstance, especially when it's on the water.

The participants -- in the vicinity of 5,000 rubber shrimp -- will be given the same start with little if any handicap and water rules will apply. Once the little buggers are dropped into the Beaufort River, they are on their own. Currents, winds and the favor of better buoyancy by some will predict the front runners. There will be $5,000 in cash prizes to be shared by the top 10 finishers. Prize money and details of distribution are available by visiting the Shrimp Adoption Center of your choice. Join in on the fun: Adopt a few shrimp and run the ratio of odds to win $100,000. Visit the race Web site for more information, SeaIslandRotaryShrimpRace.com.

FISHING TRENDS

With higher-than-normal tides, heavy rains, winds and muddy water, little opportunity was available for fishing that amounted to any bragging rights.

The high volume of water, steady currents and swift waters did little to hamper the efforts of local shrimpers. Some very nice returns filled buckets and freezers, with better waters showing from Station Creek, Skull Creek, Coosaw, Morgan, Lands End and Story River.

GARLIC SHRIMP RECIPE

While on the subject of shrimp, allow me catch up with a promise I made a few weeks back. To Julian, Rachel, Terry, David, and Benny, here is the recipe promised. For those readers that have asked for the Shrimp Spread, I hope this keeps me on the guest list.

Ingredients

1/4 cup (2 fl oz/60 ml) pure virgin olive oil

4 large cloves garlic, finely minced

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (must be flakes)

1 lb medium shrimp peeled and de-veined

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (not concentrate)

2 tablespoons dry sherry (extra dry if available)

1 teaspoon paprika (no more, no less)

Salt and pepper to taste (Best if using sea salt and freshly ground black pepper)

Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Directions

In a shallow pan over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add garlic and red pepper flakes and sauté for 1 minute. Raise temp to high, add shrimp, lemon juice, sherry and paprika. Stir until evenly mixed, then sauté, and stir briskly until the shrimp turn pink and curl slightly, (usually about 3 minutes). Season to taste with salt and pepper, garnish with parsley and serve.

SHRIMP SPREAD/DIP

This is the shrimp dish I served in Charleston and Kiawah which you have been bugging me about for so long -- enjoy:

1 small can cocktail shrimp (cut up), 1/2 c chopped yellow onion, 1/2 c chopped celery, 2/3 c mayonnaise, 1 T fresh lemon juice (not concentrate), 8 oz. cream cheese (softened). Mix all ingredients well and refrigerate overnight. Excellent as a dip or serve as a spread for finger sandwiches, crackers or on your morning toast.