Kayaker on the San Antonio River at sunset

San Antonio River Basin Paddling Race Series

Overview

The San Antonio River Authority (River Authority), together with the San Antonio River Foundation, is excited to launch the 2022 San Antonio River Basin Paddling Race Series. Experienced paddling racers from all over are invited to participate in 4 competitive paddling races throughout the year held along multiple sections of the beautiful San Antonio River Basin from the world-famous San Antonio River Walk to the historic community of Goliad. Each race covers a different distance and will provide new challenges certain to excite competitive paddle racers. The San Antonio River Basin Paddling Race Series was designed in the spirit of the Texas Water Safari, just on a smaller scale. Awards ceremonies with prizes for the top three finishers in each category will be held following every race!

San Antonio River Basin Paddling Race Series

Paddling Series

Remember Goliad Paddling Race

Saturday, October 8, 2022
8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Total distance: Approximately 16 miles

The Remember Goliad Paddling Race takes place on the Goliad Paddling Trail and the finish line is in the historic community of Goliad, which is the 3rd oldest Spanish municipality in Texas and home to Mission Espiritu Santo and Presidio La Bahía. This is the longest of the paddling races in the San Antonio River Basin Race Series and the distance as well as the rural setting of the river will provide both a challenging and enjoyable experience for all the participants.

The race is on the Goliad Paddling Trail from the Riverdale access point to the Ferry St. access point.
Please note: The Riverdale access has a small parking lot and limited space along the county road to drop off paddling equipment. Participants are encouraged to be dropped off with their equipment at the Riverdale access point to stage for the race and have their support crew immediate go to either the Hwy 59 access point to meet the racers at the checkpoint location or to the parking area near the Branch River Park to wait for and meet the participants at the finish line take out point. For those participants who do not have a support crew, they can drop off their equipment at the Riverdale access point (it will be watched by race staff) and then go to the parking area near the Branch River Park where a shuttle bus will provide service back to the Riverdale access point. During the online registration process, participants will be required to inform the River Authority race organizers if you plan to utilize the shuttle bus service.

Awards ceremony with prizes for the top three finishers in each category will be held following the race at 1:00 p.m. at Branch River Park, where a community event will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. including live music, food, and family games.
Goliad Market Days, which is an open-air market held around the beautiful Goliad Courthouse Square, is also taking place on this day.

The Remember Goliad Paddling Race is hosted by the San Antonio River Authority and San Antonio River Foundation.

Race Categories

An awards ceremony with prizes for the top three finishers in each of the seven categories listed below will be held following each race. All participants will receive a participation recognition. Participants who compete in all four races in the San Antonio River Basin Race Series will receive a t-shirt and a commemorative plaque. Beyond the flow of the river, human muscle power (e.g., row, paddle, walk, swim, carry, or drag) is the only thing that can propel the craft. Each of the 4 races in the 2022 San Antonio River Basin Race Series will consist of seven race categories. For each of the 4 races, if less than 3 entrants register for a given category, that category will be dropped from the competition.

SOLO
TANDEM

Women’s Unlimited: No craft specification for this category except that the craft can only be powered by human muscle, is limited to one female participant, and no inflatable crafts will be allowed.

Women’s USCA C-1: Maximum length 18'6", minimum width 14 3/8% of length at the 4" waterline. Minimum bow height 15.5", minimum stern height 11.5", depth at center 11.5". Limited to one female participant with single blade paddles (no rudders).

Men’s Unlimited: No craft specification for this category except that the craft can only be powered by human muscle, is limited to one male participant, and no inflatable crafts will be allowed.

Men’s USCA C-1: Maximum length 18'6", minimum width 14 3/8% of length at the 4" waterline. Minimum bow height 15.5", minimum stern height 11.5", depth at center 11.5". Limited to one male participant with single blade paddles (no rudders).

Mixed Tandem Unlimited: No craft specification for this category except that the craft can only be powered by human muscle, is limited to two participants (one male and one female), and no inflatable crafts will be allowed. Both participants must travel together in the same craft for the entirety of the race.

Tandem Unlimited: No craft specification for this category except that the craft can only be powered by human muscle, is limited to two participants, and no inflatable crafts will be allowed. Both participants must travel together in the same craft for the entirety of the race.

USCA C-2: Participants in this category may use either a Competition Cruiser with a (4/32) maximum length 18'6", minimum width 14 3/8% of length at the 4” waterline, minimum bow height 15.5", minimum stern height 11.5", depth at center 11.5" or a Pro Boat with a (3/27) maximum length 18'6", minimum width 27" at the 3" waterline, minimum bow height 15", minimum stern height 10", minimum depth at center 10", minimum gunwale width 33". Either craft option is limited to two participants with single blade paddles (no rudders). Both participants must travel together in the same craft for the entirety of the race.

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Additional Information

Registration

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