texas water safari route

Sat, Jun 10

Meadows Center

2023 Texas Water Safari

World's Toughest Canoe Race

Time & Location

Jun 10, 2023, 9:00 AM – Jun 14, 2023, 2:00 PM

Meadows Center, 201 San Marcos Springs Dr, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA

About the event

TWS 2023, June 10-14

From the TWS website: “Legend has it that in 1962, Frank Brown and Bill “Big Willie” George decided to take their V-bottom boat, without a motor, from San Marcos to Corpus Christi. They accomplished their mission in about thirty days and decided that other people should have the opportunity to experience the same journey. So, in 1963 they set up the first Texas Water Safari.

Today the Safari is a long, tough, non-stop marathon canoe-racing adventure, traversing 260 miles of challenging rivers and bay. Many participants enter the race with no intention of winning, but with the goal of joining the elite group of finishers and earning the coveted Texas Water Safari finisher’s patch.” http://www.texaswatersafari.org/

Larry Rice, in July 2009 Canoe & Kayak Magazine: “They don’t call the Texas Water Safari The World’s Toughest Canoe Race’ for nothing. In addition to the length, the challenges include whitewater rapids, multiple portages, and the relentless, soul-sapping Texas heat. Competitors have four days and four hours to paddle from San Marcos, in the center of the state, to the shy little town of Seadrift on the Gulf Coast. There is no prize money for the winners; just Texas-size bragging rights for the finishers.”

Entry Fee $175 (through March 31), $200 (through May 5), $250 (through May 19) per paddler. No entry fee for team captains. Must be registered by May 7 to hold prelim finish for starting position in TWS.

In the event of a postponement, the race will be held on June 24th Check in will be Friday, June 23th.  Should a 2nd postponement be needed the race will be held on July 8th Check in will be Friday, July 7th

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World’s Toughest Canoe Race: Texas Water Safari Well Into Its 5th Decade

On the second Saturday in June, “The World’s Toughest Canoe Race” has been held here in Texas since 1963. It takes place on the San Marcos and the Guadalupe Rivers, between San Marcos in the Texas Hill Country and a small Texas coastal town called Seadrift. It’s a canoe route equalling 260 miles in length , and the manpower required to complete the race, also known as the Texas Water Safari, is amazing!

To the winners of “The World’s Toughest Canoe Race,” bragging rights are the prize. There’s no money involved, but does that stop those eager to take on the challenge? Absolutely not! Having the right to say you took on a Texas-sized competition such as this and won has been enough to draw participants from near and far. Making it through rapids, some intense heat, and enduring the need to carry all of your supplies while you try to maintain the proper mental space required to compete is something only sheer willpower can accomplish. Participants of the Texas Water Safari are happy to show up and say they’ve done so!

Video: YouTube/KUT Austin

Shared on the KUT Austin YouTube Channel , the video above features a brief documentary from 2019 on the Texas Water Safari. With more than 140 teams, each of which has a captain allowed to help them along the way by supplying water, food, and ice, this race is epic ! The team captain can follow the canoe along the race path on land, doing so either by car or even by bike . It’s arduous, to say the least, for both the team and the captain. The Texas Water Safari has stated that to take part in “The World’s Toughest Canoe Race,” the teams have to be prepared to reach mandatory checkpoints, including set cut-off times. Many do so by canoeing 24-hours nonstop , however, teams have occasionally been known to stop for rest and still been successful in doing so, crossing the finish line within the 100-hour deadline. The journey is long and hard, but to the victor go the rights to say they did it better than anyone else! Regardless of its 57-year history, that means only a very few have been able to say that’s the case.

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Conquering the Texas Water Safari: The Ultimate Kayak Race of Endurance and Adventure

Every year, adventure seekers and paddling enthusiasts from around the world gather in Texas for one of the most exhilarating kayak races on the planet: the Texas Water Safari. Spanning a grueling 260 miles, this legendary race pushes participants to their limits as they navigate treacherous rivers, relentless currents, and unpredictable weather. Join us as we dive into the thrilling world of the Texas Water Safari and uncover the challenges, triumphs, and unwavering spirit of its competitors.

The Ultimate Test of Endurance:

The Texas Water Safari, often referred to as the "World's Toughest Canoe Race," is an extraordinary feat of physical and mental endurance. Beginning in the bustling city of San Marcos, participants embark on an arduous journey down the San Marcos and Guadalupe Rivers, culminating in the coastal town of Seadrift. The race must be completed within a strict 100-hour time limit, leaving little room for rest or recovery.

Navigating Nature's Obstacles:

As participants paddle through remote and picturesque landscapes, they face a multitude of challenges. From navigating rapids and logjams to battling strong currents and shallow waters, the Texas Water Safari demands unwavering determination and skill. Competitors must be prepared for encounters with wildlife, including alligators and snakes, as they maneuver through the untamed Texas wilderness.

A Test of Strategy and Stamina:

Success in the Texas Water Safari requires more than physical prowess. Competitors must carefully strategize their race plan, considering optimal rest breaks, nutrition, and navigation tactics. Sleep-deprived and physically exhausted, they rely on their mental fortitude to push through the darkest moments and find renewed strength when the finish line seems beyond reach.

The Camaraderie of the River:

While the Texas Water Safari is a fiercely competitive race, it also fosters a unique sense of camaraderie among participants. Strangers become friends, offering support, encouragement, and shared stories of triumph and perseverance. The shared experience of battling the elements and conquering the race forges lifelong bonds, creating a tight-knit community of adventurers with a deep appreciation for the sport of kayaking.

A Celebration of Human Spirit:

The Texas Water Safari is not solely about winning; it is a celebration of the indomitable human spirit. Every participant, regardless of their finishing position, embodies the essence of determination, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of personal achievement. It is a testament to the unwavering human spirit and the pursuit of extraordinary challenges.

Inspiring Future Generations:

The Texas Water Safari serves as a source of inspiration for both seasoned paddlers and aspiring adventurers. It demonstrates the incredible feats that can be accomplished with dedication, preparation, and a burning passion for exploration. The race fuels a spirit of adventure, encouraging individuals to push beyond their limits and embrace the unknown.

The Texas Water Safari stands as an epic testament to human endurance and the beauty of the natural world. It embodies the spirit of adventure, camaraderie, and the pursuit of personal triumph. Whether you're a competitor or a spectator, witnessing the Texas Water Safari is an awe-inspiring experience that ignites a deep appreciation for the power of the human spirit and the boundless wonders of our planet's rivers.

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Texas Water Safari pro tips from Debbie Richardson

by Pam LeBlanc | Apr 3, 2019

A team pushes off at the start of the 2018 Texas Water Safari. Pam LeBlanc photo

I spent a lot of hours last weekend driving around Texas with veteran endurance canoe racer Debbie Richardson riding shotgun in my truck.

Richardson has completed the Texas Water Safari 11 times. I’m registered to do the 260-mile paddle race from San Marcos to Seadrift on the Texas coast this year. I’m equal parts excited beyond belief and scared out of my pants, so this time in the truck with Richardson was both terrifying and reassuring.

Debbie Richardson paddles the San Marcos River during a training run with her team in March 2019. Pam LeBlanc photo

I covered the race last year for the Austin American-Statesman . I saw people in all states of exhaustion, including some sick on the side of the river in the middle of the night. Richardson, though, just a few hours after completing the grueling event, looked like she’d just stepped off a cruise ship.

What the what?

Isabella Hansen tends to her father, West Hansen, at the side of the river on the second day of the 2018 Texas Water Safari. Pam LeBlanc photo

“There’s zero chance you aren’t going to finish,” she told me right off the bat. “When you feel bad, you just need to focus on something pretty. It’s not something you don’t get through. You need to cherish every minute of (the race) because it’s such a unique opportunity to spend that much time on the river and see things most people never get to see.”

Matthieu Meyers, bottom, can’t watch as JT Van Zandt prepares to paddle away without him. The team made it all the way to Hochheim, but after about 28 hours, Meyers wasn’t able to finish the grueling race. Pam LeBlanc photo

Here are 10 pro tips from the Richardson annals of badassery.

• Food. We talked about what to eat, from liquid nutrition drinks to warm mashed potatoes with cheese. The problem is, you have to gulp everything. Debbie suggested helpful things like pre-crushing potato chips.
• Super Glue, it’s not just for sticking broken plates back together. Paddlers take it on the river to glue shut open cuts and wounds. They also use it to glue on fingernails and toenails that get ripped off during the race.

Paddlers Mike Buck, Kent Fish and Mark Huteson round a bend at Cottonseed Rapids on the first day of the Texas Water Safari. The race begins at the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment in San Marcos. Pam LeBlanc photo

• Your butt will get sore from sitting for two to four days straight. Your boat seat will have padding from the start, but cut an extra seat-shaped piece from an old yoga mat and add for the second half of the race.
• The last stretch of the race involves crossing a section of the bay and ship channel. Depending on conditions, it could be just plain horrible, or over-the-top, get-tossed-out-of-your-canoe-and-pull-it-by-your-teeth-through-sea-water horrible. Gird your loins. It will be HORRIBLE!
• The start involves more than 100 boats crammed onto Spring Lake. When the race begins, all those boats will be charging at once, and some will go sideways and you will likely get run over and possibly maimed. Gird your loins. It will be HORRIBLE!
• You will hurt. You will feel sick. You will simultaneously hate and love your teammates. You will want to quit. Do not quit. The bad times will pass. If you feel HORRIBLE, pause, eat something, brush your teeth, pee, if you absolutely must take a nap, and go on. You will feel fabulous.
• You will see alligators. And giant alligator gar. And snakes. And spiders. And mosquitos. And hordes of mayflies. And gnats. And poison ivy. And probably flying cockroaches as big as your head. Do not be alarmed.
• You will encounter HORRIBLE portages and will have to drag your boat for hundreds of feet across fallen logs and mud and soul-sucking swamplands. Do not be alarmed. Did we mention it will be HORRIBLE?
• NOTHING will feel as fabulous as it does to cross that finish line in Seadrift. Never forget that.

The Cowboys team wrangles their boat over rapids on day one of the 2018 Texas Water Safari. Pam Leblanc photo

I’m Pam LeBlanc. Follow my blog to keep up with the best in outdoor travel and adventure. Thanks for visiting my site.

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Texas Water Safari

By Bob Spain and Joy Emshoff

978-1-64843-058-9 Cloth 9 x 10 x 0 in 288 pp. 138 color, 16 b&w photos. 5 maps. 2 appendices. Index. Bib. Pub Date: 04/21/2023 Available

• Cloth $40.00

Ebook edition available -

Book sample.

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Pam and Will Harte Books on Rivers, sponsored by The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, Texas State University

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Watch CBS News

Multiple businesses damaged after massive fire rips through Latrobe shopping plaza

By Mamie Bah , Jennifer Borrasso , Mike Darnay

Updated on: April 23, 2024 / 10:21 PM EDT / CBS Pittsburgh

UNITY TOWNSHIP, Pa. (KDKA) -- Multiple businesses were heavily damaged by a massive overnight fire at the Latrobe 30 Shoppes in Westmoreland County.

WATCH: KDKA-TV's Mamie Bah reports

The fire broke out around 3:15 a.m. in the section of the strip mall that contains numerous stores including Goodwill, Harbor Freight Tools, Roadman's Country Living Shop, a tanning salon, My Fitness Kitchen, and others.

"I own a business in the plaza and it's just very rough," said Marnie Guy, of Unity Twp.

Lloydsville Volunteer Fire Chief Brian Schultheis said that it appears the fire started outside of Roadman's Country Living and spread to the outside of the business and along the overhang of the roof. 

When firefighters arrived at the scene, the fire had spread between 75 to 100 feet across the front of the building with flames shooting 20 to 30 feet in the air.  

Seven fire companies from Unity Township were dispatched to help battle the blaze in addition to others from outside the township who were brought in for assistance.

Two businesses were heavily damaged by the fire itself and the others in that section of the plaza were affected by water and smoke damage. No one was injured during the fire. 

KDKA's Jen Borrasso spoke to a Unity Twp. native who knew the owner of Roadman's Country Living, one of the businesses impacted by the fire. 

"She had a lot of nice stuff, a lot of nice stuff. And it was a cute little store that had everything you would want. Her decorations were phenomenal," said Kathy Hendrickson, a Unity Twp. native. 

"It's very upsetting to see that. I'm just at a loss for words. I hope it can be rebuilt."

Property manager Ralph Scalise said that the plaza is a community asset and described it as 'devastating' to see the fire and the damage. 

WATCH: KDKA-TV's Jennifer Borrasso reports

"Quite frankly, it's hurtful. It's a community asset, it really is," said a visibly emotional Scalise. "We pulled in just to see that center core drop off, the canopy, the fronts, it's like, 'Wow, this is really real, not good.'"

"I thought the world was coming to an end. We heard the sirens going, we didn't know what was going on. It was crazy," said resident Bryan Bowman.

"We obviously are going to have plans to clean it up, and those that really got damaged badly. two of them, we are going to do what we can to get them back in business as quickly as they can," Scalise added.

"I think it's really devastating for the community," Scalise said. "Those shops, they did their thing for the community, that's for sure. I'm just beside myself." 

After getting the fire under control, crews at the scene transitioned into cleanup with significant parts of the facade of the shops having crumbled and fallen down onto the sidewalk below. 

The Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal is investigating what started the fire, though KDKA-TV was told it may have been an electrical issue. There is no timetable for cleanup or rebuilding. 

• KDKA-TV Morning News
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Safari Seminar

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Why re-invent the wheel? If you want to do something and do it well, would you ever undertake it without trying your best to learn what you are in for?

Safari racers don't think so, and, in that spirit, the Texas Water Safari sponsors an annual seminar taught by experienced racers for the benefit of novices and veterans alike. Old hands cover the rules, the race course, the equipment, and the techniques of racing and body-maintenance necessary to get you through to the finish line and help you achieve that coveted finisher's patch!

Every year at the Seminar you will meet folks who started out as novices and later won the Texas Water Safari's Argosy Cup. All newcomers or relative novices are strongly encouraged to attend!

The Safari Seminar is held every February. See the TWS Race Calendar for this year’s dates and deadlines for registration. 

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