Since the original race in 1963, the Texas Water Safari has grown in size, not only in the number of participants, but also in its acclaim. While some participants enter only once, with a goal to finish, it is like an addiction for others that race year after year.
In recognition of each paddler’s dedication to the race, the TWS Board created the Texas Water Safari Hall of Fame in 2012. On the 50th anniversary of the race, membership was granted to all competitors that complete a minimum of 10 Texas Water Safaris. Oddly enough, 50 competitors had completed at least 10 safaris. The board also created three levels of recognition. A 2600-mile club for all those that had completed 10 to 19 finishes, a 5200-mile Club for those that had competed 20 to 29 safaris and a 7800 mile club for those that had completed 30 or more Safaris. Each year following the creation of the Hall of Fame new inductees are inducted when they attain 10, 20 or 30 finishes. On the 56th running of the Safari in 2018, a competitor, John Bugge, completed his 40th Safari and the TWS Board created an additional 10,4000 Mile Club for competitors that complete 40 or more Safaris. A list of Safari Hall of Fame Inductees follows:
10400 Mile Club
2019
7800 Mile Club
5200 Mile Club
2012
Pete Binion, Jerry Cochran, John Dupont, Tom Goynes, John Mark Harras, Grady Hicks, Brian Mynar, Fred Mynar, Pat Petrisky, Mike Shively, Ted Slaughter, Bill Stafford, Owen West
2019
Erin Magee, Vance Sherrod
2022
Phil Bowden, Bobby Smart
2024
Jay Daniel, Gaston Jones, Hoyt Moss, James Ward, Jeff Wueste
2025
Stacy Greer, Joe Hunt
2600 Mile Club
2012
Wade Binion, Phil Bowden, Larry Coffey, Jay Daniel, Kathie Derrick, Peter Derrick, John Dunn, Jack Elvig, Mark Elvig, Gib Hafernick, West Hansen, Joe Hunt, Daryl Jiral, Jim Keirnan, Erin Mcgee, John Maika, Hoyt Moss, Zoltan Mraz, Joe Mynar, Johnny Prochaska, Sammy Prochaska, Timothy Rask, Mike Riley, Vance Sherrod, Mark Simmons, Robert Smart, Allen Spelce, Ginsie Stauss, Richard Steppe, Charlie Stewart, Chuck Stewart, James Ward, Jeff Wueste, Sandy Yonley, Tommy Yonley, Robert Youens
2013
Gaston Jones, Jim Pye, Jon Schoepflin
2014
Stacy Greer, Michael Rendon
2015
Holly Orr, Jeff Glock
2016
Max Feaster, Jonathan Yonley, Ken Startz
2017
Tim Curry, Mike Drost, Kyle Mynar, Chris Paddack, Liam Price
2018
John Hoffart, Randall Kissling, Debbie Richardson, Brandon Stafford
2019
Shawn Boyett, Andrew Condie, Benjamin Duckett, Kent Harlan, Norm Thomas, Jim
Weber, Clay Wyatt
2021
Karim Aziz, Mark Hellinger, Chad Keeth, Michael “Mike” Martin, William Mitchell, John
Qualls, Doug Rhude, Andrew Stephens, Don Zeek
2022
Gary Gibson, Brian Jones, Mike Smith, Nathan Tart
2023
Joe Geisinger, Morgan Kohut, Virginia Parker, Ian Rolls, William Russell, Myla Weber
2024
Chris Champion, Edoh Amiran, Wendell Smith, Rhett Stuman, Mile Tecci, Jason Cade
2025
Brandy Lotz, Chris Stevenson, Matt Sandel
“They don’t call the Texas Water Safari The World’s Toughest Canoe Race’ for nothing. In addition to the length, the challenges include whitewater rapids, multiple portages, and the relentless, soul-sapping Texas heat. Competitors have four days and four hours to paddle from San Marcos, in the center of the state, to the shy little town of Seadrift on the Gulf Coast. There is no prize money for the winners; just Texas-size bragging rights for the finishers.”
