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Updates to Texas Water Safari Tracker Requirements

March 19, 2024

Texas Water Safari Community,


Beginning this year (2024) Texas Water Safari competitors may use any handheld Garmin inReach® device or a SPOT Generation 3, 4 or X device, in the boat.  

Both types of devices may be used for the race in 2024 and in 2025. The goal is to completely switch the Texas Water Safari to Garmin’s inReach® technology for 2026. The inReach® system will be tested and the two-year implementation plan in the TWS should allow for any issues with the Safari to be worked out.

In making the switch, Texas Water Safari racers will be afforded greater latitude in choosing their Garmin inReach® devices. Choices range from the entry level inReach® Messenger and inReach Mini 2, to the high-end Montana 700 series. As with the SPOT devices, racers may use a device they own or choose to rent one from an external vendor for the duration of the race. Garmin has a wide variety of subscription plans for inReach® that can be found here: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/837461


NOTE: While the adoption of these Garmin devices allows tracking to be combined with a GPS device, regardless of what device you choose to use it must be able to be charged, or have a backup/external battery pack, in the boat.


If you have any questions, please contact texaswatersafari@yahoo.com.

 

TWS Board:

1. Board Member – Jerry Cochran

2. Board Member- Jay Daniel

3. Board Member- Bob Spain

4. President – Allen Spelce

5. Board Member- vacant

 

 

TWS Auxiliary Board Announcement

03-08-2024

TWS Community,

           The Texas Water Safari (TWS) Board has created a five-person Auxiliary Board.  The Auxiliary Board is comprised of: David Kaiser, Melissa James, Brian Jones, Holly Orr and Chris Stevenson.  Many of you already know the paddlers and their history with the TWS.  All have been a part of the race and feel passionately about it. 

There are two basic reasons for the creation of the new Auxiliary Board:

  1.  First, over the years the complexity of hosting the race has become an increasingly challenging task for the current voluntary board and additional help to administer the race would be beneficial, and
  2.  The current board is seeking input from a new generation of paddlers needed to identify and address future growth and success of the race.

 The TWS Auxiliary Board will learn how the TWS and its sponsored races operate and will also provide input and ideas on how to improve the race and decisions that will affect the race. The term of each Auxiliary Board Member is for two years with reappointments at the discretion of the Texas Water Safari Board. The current TWS Board is excited to be working with new Auxiliary Board and what it holds for the future.

We are excited about the creation of the new Auxiliary Board and look forward to the upcoming 61st Texas Water Safari, World’s Toughest Canoe Race.

Sincerely,

TWS Board: 

  1. Board Member – Jerry Cochran
  2. Board Member- Jay Daniel
  3. Board Member- Bob Spain
  4. President – Allen Spelce
  5. Board Member- vacant

 

 

 

 

Texas Water Safari

“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.”

Larry Rice, in July 2009 Canoe & Kayak Magazine

The Texas Water Safari is actually comprised of several events including an information seminar, two short races (one of which can be considered as a preliminary race) and of course, the Safari itself – the 260 mile race to Seadrift from the headwaters of the San Marcos River. The Safari itself, billed as the "World's Toughest Boat Race", is an annual race via the San Marcos and Guadalupe rivers, from Aquarena Springs in the college town of San Marcos, to the shrimping village of Seadrift on the Texas coastline, a total distance of 260 miles. The first official race was held in 1963, and is run annually on the second Saturday of June.

The primary requirement is a boat powered only by human muscle. Racers must take all equipment needed with them, receiving only water, ice and food along the way.