The Texas Water Safari is a boat race down waterways from San Marcos, Texas, to Seadrift, Texas. The total distance traveled is 262 miles. Racers must take all equipment needed with them, receiving only medical supplies, food, water, and ice along the way. The primary requirement is a boat powered only by human muscle. The event was first held in 1963, and is run annually. The race begins on the second Saturday of June of each year, barring bad weather.
In 1962 Frank Brown and Bill "Big Willie" George navigated from San Marcos to Corpus Christi without a motor. In 1963 they created the Texas Water Safari which would become an annual race.
Course The course includes natural rivers like the San Marcos, with rapids and dams. Most boats destroyed on the course are lost in the upper river. The San Marcos River converges with the Guadalupe River and becomes wider and slower. The main dangers in the middle river are sweepers, downed trees, logjams and dams. Near the end of the course there are lakes and swamps, and it ends with a crossing of the San Antonio Bay. Other challenges include alligators, sharks, water moccasin, fire ants, and mosquitos.
There are 11 checkpoints including the finish line. Their locations are published and they are staffed with officials. Each checkpoint has a cutoff time the racers must meet or be disqualified. The final cutoff time at the finish is 100 hours. The team captain of each team must be present at the checkpoint to sign off the team's time as the team leaves. Checkpoints: Staples Dam Luling 90 Palmetto State Park Gonzales Dam Hochheim Cuero 766 (Cheapside) Cuero 236 Victoria City Park Swinging Bridge (often referred to as Invista or Dupont) Calhoun Riverside RV Retreat Seadrift
Records Athletes compete in classes. The Unlimited class has no restriction, except that the watercraft is powered only by human muscle, and restricted since 2006 to crews no greater than six. Attempts have been made to race craft of unconventional form, but the best results have been achieved by well-trained teams in crewboats. RecordFastest time orYoungest ageYearachievedHolder(s)Overall Fastest Time / Unlimited 29:46 1997 Bryan & Fred Mynar, John Dunn, Jerry Cochran, Steve Landick, and Soloman CarriereTandem Unlimited 35:17 1987 John Bugge & Mike ShivelyMen's Solo Unlimited 36:03 2007 Carter JohnsonMaster's36:06 2004 John Maika, Vance Sherrod, Pete Binnion, Jim Pye, and Pat PetriskyUSCA C-236:27 1997 Allen Spelce and West HansenMen's USCA C-137:07 2007 Jerry RayburnMixed37:45 2007 Deborah Lane and Fred MynarStandard38:181992 Lynn Wilson and Ron Lightfoot of CanadaAluminum38:55 1997 Donald and Daniel BaumbachWomen's Unlimited41:392015Virginia Condie & Kaitlin JiralNovice 44:032004Allen Chellette & George MelderAdult-Child46:11 1997 Kyle & Joe MynarWomen's Solo Unlimited49:26 2004 Holly Nelson (now Holly Orr)Women's USCA C157:49 2014 Holly OrrYoungest USCA C-1 Finisher & Winner, Female 20Y 11M 28D2011Courtney WeberYoungest USCA C-1 Finisher & Winner, Male17Y 9M 1D2010Max FeasterYoungest Finisher9Y 5M 12D2003Jessica BuggeYoungest Woman Solo Finisher18Y 4M 28D2009Rebekah ZeekAll-Time Tandem 'Safari Spirit' Team 20022003Chris and Matthew "Matt" Baker
References
External links Texas Water Safari Home TPWD Texas River Guide Footage of the Texas Water Safari (1966), Texas Archive of the Moving Image