2022 Texas Water Safari at Staples Dam Check Point - First 3 Boats In The Lead - A Drone View

There were 154 boats registered for the 2022 Texas Water Safari, which started out in San Marcos, Texas, at the Aquarina Springs, where the San Marcos River begins. By the time the boats reached Staples Dam, 16 miles downstream from the start, there were 137 boats remaining. Some didn't start, due to the extreme heat or other difficulties. Others had problems along the way that caused them to drop out.

The race is 260 miles downstream to the Texas Gulf Coast. It's billed as the World's Toughest Canoe Race and they aren't lying. Each entrant is timed at the various check points and there are specific cut-off times for each point. At Staples Dam, for instance, they had to arrive there by 3pm. The next checkpoint in Luling, Texas, had an 8pm deadline. The overall deadline was 100 hours (not including times for breaks or naps) to make it to the finish line down at the coast.

Ham Radio Operators were stationed at each check point, along with race officials and judges, to help ensure the safety of the participants and to make sure every boat was accounted for as they cleared through that checkpoint. At Staples Dam, we had several drop out because of the heat or problems with their boat. One canoe didn't make thru the rapids upstream at Martindale. Another swamped downstream from the Dam and a rescue mission was successful.