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© 1997 TCRA

The Texas Canoe Racing Association ("TCRA") has gained many new members in 1998 and we are seeing many other new faces at the races. This article will hopefully introduce new racers and canoe/kayak race aficionados to the sport in Texas as well as provide other information on paddlesports.

Canoe Racing in Texas:

The most popular form of canoe racing in Texas is marathon canoe racing, and the TCRA can be best characterized as a marathon racing club. TCRA was formed in 1971 and it's rules and recognized canoe classes are modeled both after the United States Canoe Association (USCA) and the Texas Water Safari which was the genesis of the sport in Texas. Most of the 12-15 canoe races held annually in Texas are 1-3 hours in duration, although a few shorter races are offered. There are also several 3-7 hour races each spring prior to the Texas Water Safari. The Safari is the Safari, an ultra-marathon endurance event contested in human powered watercraft.

TCRA members have a variety of motivations for their involvement in the sport. Among the membership we have highly motivated ath-uh-letes who compete nationally as well as in Texas; volunteers who rarely compete but enjoy watching and putting on races; novices seeking guidance from the old pros; recreational paddlers who like to race-at-their-own pace; young studs out-to-beat-the-world; Safari obsessive-compulsives who snarl and stare into space in early June, and 8-5 working folks who balance their jobs and families. Hopefully, yopu can judge your results both by the amount of time available to train and the enjoyment you receive from paddling and competing with an interesting and diverse group of people who share a love of the river and racing.

TCRA members come from a wide variety of backgrounds and ages. Our membership includes lawyers, welders, boat builders, airline pilots and one professional canoe racer. Where else can Ph. D's and posthole diggers rub elbows, slap paddles and drink beer together? We range in age from pre-teen to what ever age Brian Lilse is claiming this week. Canoe racing is a great sport in that one can compete at the top far past the time when the physical ability to compete in other sports is lost due to injury or age. If you doubt this, try to catch Zoltan or Bob Spain.

While the majority of the racers are adult men, we are gratified that women are participating in increasing numbers (except at the Waco state championships-shame!) and youth form large classes at certain races.

In addition to the races, the TCRA participates in two annual river clean-ups on the San Marcos River and with the Southwestern Canoe Rendezvous held each October in Huntsville State Park. Social gatherings are generally scheduled at the State Championships, Water Safari Party, TCRA general membership meeting and the Martindale Triathalon.

The TCRA affirmatively participates in environmental, public access, safety and recreation programs related to rivers. We also try to encourage both recreationally and athletically motivated persons to participate in paddlesports.

Training:

For novices time spent on the water is the best way to develop skills and get fast. With proper instruction you can move up the the learning curve quite quickly. Weight work and cross training are less important until you learn the technique. Seek out experienced racers who will take the time to teach you the basics of technique, training and equipment.

If you live in Austin or San Marcos, water and training partners are readily accessible on Town Lake or "the river". Contact West Hansen, Lee Deviney, Bob Spain. Russ Roberts is generous in providing tips to Safari paddlers.

Houston has many racers scattered throughout the area. Some of which train together on a regular basis. Contact Grady Hicks or Sam Thiede. Jay Daniels is a San Antonio area contact. In Dallas, Jay Waggoner has an interest in coaching youth in sprint disciplines.

Training with others will make you faster and is more enjoyable than training alone. If there are no TCRA members in your immediate area try recruiting recreational paddlers or athletic types as training partners.

Equipment:

If you are looking to buy a boat consider an Alumacraft Voyager which is inexpensive, easy to master, can be raced anywhere well as a good recreational boat. Treat yourself to a bent shaft paddle for marathon racing. Al Camp wood paddles are light weight and moderately priced, carbon paddles are $150 up and are worth the money if you plan to paddle hard. Most other paddles are poorly designed or are overweight. Always carry a serviceable, wearable lifejacket (PFD) per person in the boat and a whistle. It's smart, it's the law and the law is enforced (I'll spare the feelings of a certain reprobate 4-man boat). Some races such as the Buffalo Bayou Regatta require that PFD's be worn during the race.

WHAT IS MARATHON CANOE RACING?
A family oriented sport where participants race canoes and kayaks on rivers and streams over distances generally from 2 to 20 miles or 20 minutes to 3 1/2 to 4 hours. Texas is also home to the most demanding marathon race in the world, the 260 mile non-stop Texas Water Safari. Marathon canoe racing is generally "flat water" and river conditions do not normally exceed Class II on the Internationally Scale of River Difficulty. Another form of flatwater racing is the sprint racing which is contested internationally and at the Olympic games. In sprint racing contestants race 200, 500 or 1000 meters in specialized canoes and kayaks in teams of one, two or four paddlers. Sprint Racing is organized by the United States Canoe and Kayak Team. A local club affiliate is the Texas Canoe and Kayak Team many of whom are also TCRA members.

USCA C-2 Marathon Canoe

DO I HAVE TO HAVE A RACING CANOE OR KAYAK TO PARTICIPATE?
No, a basic recreational canoe is fine to start. Several models are preferred. A basic 17- foot recreational canoe or downriver kayak will allow a beginner to get a feel for the sport. Competitive racers use a variety of boats which include United States Canoe Association Canoes (18 ½ feet long) and International Canoe Federation kayaks (17-36 feet long). Ultra-marathon events such as the Texas Water Safari and other races in the state also allow a host of additional boats that are usually called unlimited boats, that have no specific limitations. Some canoes hold as many as 4 or 5 paddlers (C-4 or C-5) and are 30+ feet in length.

WHO RACES CANOES?
TCRA members come from a wide spectrum of backgrounds and ages representing both sexes. TCRA members range in age from pre-teen to over 80. Canoe racing is a low impact lifetime sport and one can compete at the top far past the time when the physical ability to compete in other sports is lost due to injury or age.

HOW DO I BEGIN?
For novices, time spent on the water is the best way to develop skills and speed. With proper instruction you can move up the learning curve quite quickly. Weight work and cross training are less important until you learn the technique and safety. TCRA members include experienced racers who will take the time to teach you the basics of technique, training and equipment. TCRA members include Texas Water Safari champions such as Tom Goynes, Joe Mynar and John Bugge. Other TCRA members are nationally recognized and have won championships.

C-1 Sprint/Marathon Canoe

GENERAL INFORMATION:
The TCRA meets 4 to 6 times each year and publishes a bi-monthly newsletter that provides information on club activities, upcoming races, river cleanups and other paddlesport concerns. The club sponsors a 16-mile section of the San Marcos River and cleans up the banks along this stretch twice a year.

TCRA annual dues are $10 for individual and $15 for family memberships.

For further information on the TCRA contact:

John Mark Harras
TCRA Secretary/Treasurer
228717 Driftwood
Spring, TX 77381
281-363-4140

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