This year’s Texas Water Safari had 161 boats that paid their registration, but on the day of the race they had 154 boats that started the race that included 340 paddlers. 92 boats finished the race. Two brothers, Tommy and Jonathan Yonley, won the race in 39 hours and 46 minutes. This is the first time in 36 years that a two-person team has won the race.

Commenting about the race Ed Jones from Cedar Park gave us his report:

“This year is the 60th anniversary of the Texas Water Safari. The Safari (June 10-14) was amazing this year with over 160 boats and more than 350 paddlers registered. The water was low volume on the upper San Marcos River which made for a longer journey and fewer finishers, only about 100. The Port Lavaca Lion’s Club provided the shrimp and fish fry at the awards banquet and served about 400 people, but most of the paddlers and their crews were still on the river trying to reach Seadrift. Calhoun County Judge Meyer and Commissioner Gary Reese prepped Bill Sanders Memorial Park and even helped serve food to all the participants. The First United Methodist Church of Seadrift team baked homemade cookies for all the paddlers and handed out complementary Bibles at the finish line. We really appreciated the welcome they all provided.”

Ed Jones, his wife Brenda, and two other team members finished seventh overall in the race. See picture with Ed on the far left and his wife Brenda in the middle. They finished the race in 51 hours and 45 minutes.

The Texas Water Safari race is dubbed as the World’s Toughest Canoe Race. It began in 1963. The race begins at the mouth of the San Marcos River and ends in the San Antonio Bay. Initially there were 58 canoes that entered the race. Only two teams finished that year. People come from all over the world to compete in this grueling test of endurance. Competitors have come from at least 41 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Eight foreign countries have been represented which include Australia, Belize, Canada, Dubai, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Generally, it takes anywhere from 48 to 100 hours to complete the race. The course itself is 262 miles. Along the way there are usually about 11 checkpoints which are set up to make sure participants are amply supplied to finish the race. Team captains and race officials are present at the checkpoints.

Our hats off to all that made this year’s Texas Water Safari a success! And a big “Thank you!” to Bob Spain who contributed the information about this year’s race. Also, Bob has published a book about the race entitled “Texas Water Safari.” You can find the book on Amazon.