Dear Texas Water Safari paddlers,
The Texas Water Safari board hopes all have recovered from the 2011 safari and have started training for the 2012 TWS. As you may be aware, we will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the World’s Toughest Canoe Race in 2012.
The race is special to all of us and plans are underway to recognize this year’s contestants and past participants in a special celebration.
We are still working on the details of the 50th , but this is what we do know. We hope to have a banquet at Spring Lake Friday evening the night before the start of the TWS. The banquet will celebrate the 50 years of the race. We understand the timing may raise a few difficulties as it is the night before the race and some will be still sealing their food. Many former racers and special guests will be invited to the banquet and to watch the start of the race on Saturday. The banquet will be paying tribute to the race, former racers, team captains, volunteers, race officials and current racers in this historic run.
The awards ceremony will take place in Seadrift, Wednesday, June 13th 2012 at 12 noon instead of Tuesday, June 12 at 12 noon. We will keep you posted on other details for the 50th as they become final over the coming months.
Obviously you are now aware we have a new Website. The Website is still under construction so please be patient with us. If you have any questions or suggestions for the Website please contact our new webmaster Jeff at texaswatersafari@yahoo.com. Details on rules, race updates and news of the 50th will all be posted here. So be sure to “bookmark” this site to make it easy to stay informed.
Another item: There has been much discussion on the SPOT tracking device for the 2012 Texas Water Safari. The rules are still being finalized. What we do know is this: The SPOT is mandatory. We will have a number of devices available to rent but you may want to consider purchasing one or personally renting one. We will only have a limited number of SPOTS for rent. During the race the responsibility of the SPOT will fall on the team captain, just like giving the team ice and water and signing the teams through checkpoints.
The 2012 Texas Water Safari will be very special as it marks 50 years of finishes and, yes, heartbreak. Your TWS board is going to great lengths to make it memorable and we appreciate your cooperation and help.
Train hard and we hope to see you on the river.
Hut
Texas Water Safari Board