This weekend's paddling adventure (Saturday May 4, 1996) will be the heavily attended Texas River Marathon. It's a forty-five mile race that starts at the FM 236 bridge over the Guadalupe river in Cuero and finishes at the boat ramp in Victoria City Park. The marathon is the official preliminary race for the Texas Water Safari, dictating starting positions for Texas residents. Those unfortunate souls that are forced to reside in other states and can't make the marathon have designated slots on each starting row. The race begins at 9 a.m. with registration and a pre- race meeting starting at 8 a.m. under the bridge. Starter and judge, Linda Cochran vows that the gun will definitely go off at 9 a.m., regardless of stragglers as in years past, so racers are urged to be in the water, ready to paddle on time.

From Cuero, paddlers will travel down the Guadalupe to the first checkpoint at the Thomaston crossing, historically known as the Annastasia Crossing during the Spanish occupation of Texas. This was part of the original La Bahia road that went from south Texas through cattle country, over to east Texas and Louisiana. Due to the drought, the river will be very low, leaving it primarily non-technical. Team Captains will have little or no problems wading out into the river for water hand-offs.

After the Thomaston bridge, there is a shorter stretch before coming to the Nursery bridge. In between these two bridges lies three sets of rapids. During normal water levels most paddlers run them on river right, however this has changed a bit due, once again, to the drought. For the first rapid, start it in the middle, then veer left with the flow. The second rapid can be run safely on the right with no incident. The third rapid could be a problem for the novice paddler. A three foot waterfall has formed on river left and a stand wave sits at the start of the slough on river right. If there is any concern for safety here, just pull up to the rocks in the middle of the river and portage between the water fall and slough. It's a safe, easy portage with an easy put-in in ankle deep water. Granted, this is the state of the rapids without a freak last minute thunderstorm.

After the Nursery bridge the river meanders a little deeper, but with several sweepers and branches in shallow water. It's recommended paddlers take plenty of food and have Team Captains give them water at each checkpoint. Times for this years Marathon will be much slower with some novice teams expected to take up to eight hours to complete the course. The race is designed to give potential Safari victims a taste of "the big one". Marathon race rules and boat classes adhere to the Safari rules with a pre-designated, individual with a Texas driver's license acting as Team Captain. Only water cooler than the ambient air can be given to competitors during the race. No food, repairs, first aid, etc, can be accepted without the risk of disqualification. Racers are urged to start hydrating their bodies now, in order to be fully prepared by race time this Saturday. For pre-registration and more information, contact Spencer's Canoe Livery at 512/357-6113.