RIMINI — It’s not every day that a conservative Republican governor is joined in solidarity by throngs of die-hard environmentalists.

But on Sunday, Gov. Mark Sanford took about 120 nature lovers on a two-hour kayaking safari through the pristine Sparkleberry Swamp off Lake Marion.

The main purpose of the trip, according to Sanford’s office, was to promote the latest leg of his Family Fitness Challenge, which encourages better health.

The more pointed reason was to rock the boat on a controversial $110 million bridge project that would run through the 32-square-mile swamp near Rimini.

“It’s an interesting coalition,” said Sanford, who paddled along with 6-year-old son Blake. “We’re constantly looking for ways to promote fitness, and this trip can play into the two messages.”

Concern for the future of the swamp runs high with environmentalists, who say the bridge and road expansion could threaten the unique natural habitat.

“There’s probably not anything like this outside of the swamps in Florida,” said Anne Goold of Coastal Expeditions, one of several guides for the trip.

Experienced guides were a must on the kayak excursion because Sparkleberry Swamp is as dangerous as it is beautiful.

The cypress and tupelo gum trees that jut from the water start to obscure a boater’s sense of direction after only a few minutes in the water.

The waterways, which weave tightly in and out of the trees, are scantily marked by small plastic ribbons hanging from branches. Hidden underwater stumps can easily tip kayakers.

“It’s a lot easier to get lost out here than to know where you’re going,” guide Chris Corley said.

The alligators and snakes that call the swamp home stayed hidden from Sunday’s brightly colored flotilla of kayaks and canoes.

Many of those who made the trip included members of groups like the S.C. Coastal Conservation League and Friends of the Edisto River.

Sanford invited chief bridge proponent U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., and the seven members of the state Department of Transportation Commission, who will decide the project’s fate, along for the trip. None attended.

Clyburn has championed the project as a way to attract economic development to the depressed area. It would link the rural towns of Lone Star in Calhoun County and Rimini in Clarendon County.

The federal government recently earmarked $2.5 million for the nine-mile bridge and road expansion project. A total of $9.2 million in federal money has been spent on the project, mostly for feasibility and impact studies.

Critics such as Sanford contend the bridge’s environmental cost is too high and it would do little to decrease commute time between Orangeburg and Sumter, the main cities in the area.

Billy Revill, who came to the swamp Sunday to fish for bass, said he’s worried the project would ruin a semi-hidden gem.

“I’ve been coming here for 40-something years,” he said. “I can remember when there wasn’t a parking lot by the landing. It’s a quiet, peaceful place to go, and I’d hate to see that change.”

Whether Sanford changed any minds Sunday isn’t clear, but it was the latest example of his use of novel exploits to promote his agenda.

Last year, he brought pigs to the General Assembly to rail against pork-barrel projects. He took a horse and buggy to the State House in February to complain about outdated government.

Previous Family Fitness Challenges included the Cooper River Bridge run in Charleston and a bike ride across the state.

Sanford says it all fits in with his personal style of trying to connect with “regular people.”

“Nobody scores a 100 percent on these things,” he said. “There’s no magical formula to it, really. I like being with people, and you just do what you can to draw attention to issues.”

Reach Stensland at (803) 771-8358 or jstensland@thestate.com.