Texas Water Safari cuts through Gonzales

The world’s toughest canoe race is making a stop through Gonzales this Sunday.

The 59th Texas Water Safari kicks off in San Marcos Saturday, June 11, as paddlers around the world get together to travel through the 260-mile race.

Paddlers will travel through the San Marcos River into the Guadalupe River to Guadalupe Bay to San Antonio Bay as they reach the finish line in Seadrift, Texas.

This years the paddlers will be battling the heating elements and lower waters, according to TWS President Allen Spelce

“If you haven't maintained your body that day, Saturday and Saturday night by getting proper, you know, hydration, electrolytes, food calories. Teams will typically start to crater or drop out Sunday morning, Sunday afternoon.” Spelce said.

“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,” according to the official Texas Water Safari website.

There are 154 paddlers competing in this year’s race with racers from Canada and Central America, Spelce said.

“Its reputation has grown worldwide. It's kind of on the bucket list for people to do, and so it's a very unique race.” Spelce said.

Paddlers from the race will cross into Gonzales under the US Highway 183 bridge around 4 p.m. this Sunday. For more information about the race please go to https://www.texaswatersafari.org.