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"In the summer of 1962, Frank Brown, manager of the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce, and "Big Willie" George, a local businessman, launched a 133-pound motor boat-with no motor-into the San Marcos River, headed for the Texas coast. Over the next three weeks they paddled downriver, wrestling through log jams and fighting off mosquitoes on their 337-mile journey to Corpus Christi. Along the way they fished and shot squirrels for food and searched for water at cabins or drank from the river. The following year, Frank Brown staged a canoe race that followed the same route he and 'Big Willie'…mehr

Produktbeschreibung
"In the summer of 1962, Frank Brown, manager of the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce, and "Big Willie" George, a local businessman, launched a 133-pound motor boat-with no motor-into the San Marcos River, headed for the Texas coast. Over the next three weeks they paddled downriver, wrestling through log jams and fighting off mosquitoes on their 337-mile journey to Corpus Christi. Along the way they fished and shot squirrels for food and searched for water at cabins or drank from the river. The following year, Frank Brown staged a canoe race that followed the same route he and 'Big Willie' traveled. The race was billed as 'The Texas Water Safari-The Toughest Boat Race in the World.' Contestants had to carry all their provisions in the boat from the start, and they could receive no assistance during the competition. On April 29, 1963, 126 men and one woman, all Texans, lined up for the grueling race. Some boats sank at the start, others were wrecked on the river, and some people dropped out from exhaustion or injury, while others failed to make the time deadlines and were disqualified. Of the 58 vessels that started the race, only two arrived at the finish line in Corpus Christi. The now-infamous Texas Water Safari has since attracted thousands of competitive and recreational paddlers from across the globe, who line up every summer in canoes and kayaks near the Meadows Center on the Texas State University campus to carry on a tradition now in its 58th year. In this manuscript, veteran racers Bob Spain and Joy Emshoff chronicle the fascinating and winding history of the Texas Water Safari, documenting the many changes to the race course over the years, the evolution of competition vessels, and the influx of national and international racers as notoriety has grown. Drawing upon the record books, Water Safari lore, and their own experiences, the authors have compiled a collection of stories, statistics, and photographs that celebrates and preserves the important history of this Texas river tradition"--
Autorenporträt
BOB SPAIN is a certified canoe instructor, competitive paddler, and the author of Bob Spain's Canoeing Guide and Favorite Texas Paddling Trails. He worked for Texas Parks and Wildlife for almost 30 years, serving as a wildlife biologist, coastal conservation coordinator, and deputy director of the Resource Protection Division before retiring. Over the past 35 years he has competed in canoe races in Texas and throughout the nation. As a Texas Water Safari board member, he continues to host the Texas Water Safari every year. JOY EMSHOFF is a Texas Water Safari volunteer, former race participant, and certified canoe instructor. She provided the instructional photos and drawings for Bob Spain's Canoeing Guide and Favorite Texas Paddling Trails . In this book, she chronicles the women who have competed and completed the Texas Water Safari.