The official count for the 34th Texas Water Safari is 56 boats. Much fewer were expected due to the low water, but one should never underestimate the grit of Texans...or North Carolinians... or Missourians... or Californians. Racers have travelled from as far as the two other coasts to compete in the world's toughest boat race. While the number is 14 shy of the record number of entrants set last year, it is still a high number compared to the all time low of 13 set in the early 1970's. There are 18 soloists, 4 USCA C-1 soloists, 6 USCA C-2 tandem teams, 4 Mixed teams (all multi-person) and a multitude of "big" boats consisting of 3 to 5 person teams. No foreigners from across the ponds have dared the rough conditions this year. Nor are there any Canadians willing to tread south of their pleasant and chilly conditions. One entrant from Terlinqua has scraped across the desert to relax in the blustery 96 degree weather and humidity.

The past few days have been fast and furious with last minute boat rigging and route planning. One of the highly competitive front running teams spent a good part of the day rigging their four man boat, then took it out for a short practice run around Thompson's Island. Well, while they were rigging, one particular team member consumed around eight cool ones, leaving him a bit light headed for the practice run. Despite the ribbing from his team mates he cranked out the power around the tight bends leading to the portage at the island. Coming under a low, narrow concrete bridge he didn't slow down a bit, swinging his double bladed paddle with fury. Apparently, through his haze he misjudged the distance between the carbon fiber paddle and the concrete bridge. When the paddle impacted the bridge carbon parts flew everywhere in huge explosion. These paddles are far from cheap, so his team mates figured the cost was about forty dollars per beer and issued him a PWI (you figure it out) and made him buy a completely new paddle.

The only records that will be set this year will be slowest times and Longest Boat to Finish. But, to take a look at what has been good fortune in the past, here's a list of previous records.