The Fourth Annual Texas200 has been scheduled for June 13 – 18, 2011. Participants have had great cruises the past 3 years; this year the route has been updated. The race will begin at South Padre Island rather than Port Mansfield and will end at Seadrift rather than Magnolia Beach. There will be 5 camps between the start and finish rather than the 4 in years past; Port Mansfield jetties and Cedar Bayou have been added. “Seadrift will enjoy two weekends of water-related activities back to back, Shrimpfest, the Texas Water Safari and the Texas200!” said sailor and 2011 participant, Jack LaBarge, commodore of the Seadrift Sail and Yacht Club. “The club along with the Seadrift Chamber of Commerce welcomes the group which will bring sailors from as far as New York. In addition, we look forward to getting other local organizations involved.”

In the coming weeks, look for updates on the route information with GPS coordinates and Google Earth files online at www.texas200.com. Signup and payment information for 2011 will be posted by the end of January. Participants will shuttle from Seadrift to South Padre Island on Sunday, June 13 and arrive at the finish on Saturday in Seadrift. There will be limited seating on the shuttle bus, past participants will have the first shot, then registration will be opened for everyone.

The dates are etched in stone so make plans, put in for vacation time, etc. A shrimp boil will be served at the end of the race at the pavilion on Seadrift’s bay front. For participants the meal is included in the registration costs; shrimp boil meal tickets will be available for purchase online to the public.

See you at South Padre! Learn more about the Texas200 organization online; view past participants, photos, board of directors, forum, contact info and how the org gives back.