These facts were first compiled following the 2001 Safari and have been updated occasionally since. However, without assistance from the TWS committee, it is very difficult to keeps records accurate. All records are for the finish line in Seadrift, Texas unless otherwise noted.

1963 - Won by Jimmy Jones & Lynn Maughmer

29:46 - 1997, Bryan Mynar, Fred Mynar, John Dunn, Jerry Cochran, Steve Landick, Solomon Carriere 

 

Solomon Carriere is the only person to ever hold the current records for both the Texas Water Safari and the 120 mile AuSable River Marathon in Michigan.

63:20 - 1964, Al Widing & Ed Adams.

2002 - Mixed (changed to one person of each sex)

1998 - Parent/Child Tandem Trophy
1988 - Women's
? - Mixed (at least one person of each sex) (First mention I found was 1987.)
1986 - USCA C-1
? - Standard (First mention I found was 1985.)
1985 - Novice
? - Master' Trophy (First mention I found was 1985)
? - Women's Solo
1975 - Aluminum
1971 - Rowing, Paddling, Amateur, USCA Cruiser C-2 (no finishers)
1963 - No classes

Carol Keirnan, Nova Hall 1976 65:06 9th Place Overall

2000 - 20

1997 - 16
1987, 88, 91, 94 - 7 (tie)
1976 - 5
1975 - 2
1964 - 1
1963 - 0

36:27 - 1997, Allen Spelce and West Hansen

40:13 - 1997, Mark Simmons

38:55 - 1997, Donald and Daniel Baumbach

35:20 - 1986, John Bugge & Mike Shively.

(though the Tandem Unlimited was not yet an official class)
40:15 - 1997, Johnny and Sammy Prochaska. 
(after the Tandem Unlimited was given official classification)

36:08 - 1992, Steve Landick.

38:18 1992 Lynn Wilson & Ron Lightfoot of Canada

52:53 1987 Rod Ellis & Kent Metzler
56:50 1986 Rod Ellis & John Sandlin
74:35 1985 John Thomas & Tom Wilkinson

46:29 1995 David Crady & Rodney Young

48:17 1987 Matthew Peterson & Jim Pye
53:21 1986 Bill Hill & Larry Patlovany
99:37 1985 Gregg Collum & Jay Jaramillo

36:03 - 2001, Donald Baumbach, John Dunn, Brian Mynar, Fred Mynar, Kyle Mynar, Chuck Stewart, Mike & Fiona Vincent

36:41 - 1997, Robert Youens, Grady Hicks, Susan Cowan, Rob Rojas, Steve Ayers

38:23 - 1995, John Bugge, Donna Bugge, Robert Youens & Mike Shively.

1963 - Willye Waterman (Tulloch)

1964 - Willye Waterman (Tulloch)

1976 - Kathy Derrick, in a C-1 ? (9th solo finish!) 76:13 Age 26

46:55 - 2000, Cindy Meurer, Ginsie Stauss

47:35 - 1997, Cindy Meurer, Teddy Gray, Ginsie Dunn

49:26 - 2004, Holly Nelson

52:45 - 2000, Erin Magee

60:06 - 1995, Ginsie Dunn.

12 - Brian Mynar 1988-1989, 1992-1995, 1997-2002
11 - Freddie Mynar 1988-1989, 1993-1995, 1997-2002 
9 - John Dunn 1993-1995, 1997-2002
8 - Joe Mynar 1989, 1992-1995, 1998-2000
7 - Tom Goynes 1971-1972, 1977, 1980-1981, 1983, 1985

Most Wins (Complete Team): 

3 (tie) - Team of Joe, Freddie & Brian Mynar & John Dunn, 1993-1995

3 (tie) - Team of Tom Goynes & Pat Oxsheer, 1971-1972, 1977

3 - 1993, '94 & '95, Joe, Freddie & Brian Mynar & John Dunn. 

The Mynar family, composed of siblings, Joe & Fred Mynar and Joe's sons, Brian & Kyle, have teamed together in various capacities for 12 TWS wins, with John Dunn on 9 of the wins. 1988-1989, 1992-1995, 1997-2002.

John Bugge & Mike Shively have teamed together for 6 TWS wins, with Jerry Cochran on two of the wins. 1986-1988, 1990-1991, 1996.

 

Tom Goynes & Pat Oxsheer teamed together for 5 TWS wins, adding Jim Trimble for two of the five wins. (1971-1972, 1977, 1980-1981)

25 - John Bugge (1977-1979, 1981-2002)

23 - Owen West (1969-1988, 1991-1992, 1997)

8 (tie) - Donna Bugge (1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1999, 2000)

8 (tie) - Kathie Derrick (1975, 1976, 1977, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002)

7 - Marie McKay (1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1996, 1997)

16 - Owen West - (1972-1974, 1976-1983, 1985-1987, 1992, 1997)

5 - Erin Magee (1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005)

4 - Ginsie Stauss (1990, 1994, 1995, 2004)

20 - Owen West finished every Safari from 1969 - 1988.

David Thielman - 1992, 17 (tie)

John Dunn - 1984, 17 (tie)
Steve Pocock - 1983, 17 (tie)
Billy Collins - 1972, 28
Albert Barth - 1968, 54

Allen Spelce 1990 27

John Bugge 1983 32 (tie)
Peter Derrick 1981 32 (tie)
Owen West 1974 36
Albert Barth 1968 54

68Y 11M 22D – 2008, 68:26, Zoltan Mraz

67Y - 2005, 97:39, John Stockwell, 8-27-37
65Y - 2003, 87:12, John Stockwell, 8-27-37
62Y 11M 21D - 2002, 73:04, Zoltan Mraz, 6-20-39

61Y 11M 14D - 2001, 59:35, Tore Schau, 6-28-39

59Y 11M 16D - 1999, 63:38, Tore Schau, 6-28-39

59Y 10M 19D - 1997, 95:15, Owen West, 7-29-37

57Y 01M 24D - 1995, 69:58, Roger Zimmerman, 4-18-38

54Y (tie) - 1992, 81:15, Owen West, 7-29-37

54Y (tie) - 1968, 120:03, Al Barth

48Y 8M 26D, 2001, 81:10, Ginger Turner

40Y, 1992, 69:42, Marie McKay
38Y, 1990, 81:28, Marie McKay
34Y, 1986, 85:06, Maire McKay
26Y, 1976, 76:13, Kathie Derrick

1963 TWS - Roger Zimmerman

26 - 1990, 56:13, Allen Spelce in Unlimited Class C-1.

54 - 1968, 120:03 (to Port Lavaca) Al Barth, who was also the first person to finish the Safari in a solo boat.

10Y 11M 22D - Logan Mynar, 2002, 52:57, 15th Place, 3rd Tandem Unlimited, with father, Joe Mynar

12Y   0M 12D - Kyle Mynar, 1997, 46:11, 12th Place, 2nd Tandem Unlimited, with father, Joe Mynar

52 (tie), 2001, Joe Mynar

52 (tie), 1967, Jay Bludworth
51, 1966, Jay Bludworth

16Y 0M 6D - 2001, 36:03, Kyle Mynar

19Y 6 M 27D - 1998, 38:39, Tim Rask
(20Y 6M 24D - 1988, 39:31, Brian Mynar nearly tied Tom Goynes' record)
20Y 6M 5D - 1971, 57:38, Tom Goynes

75Y M D - 2005, 87:20, Samuel Vester

72Y 1M 12D - 2005, 86:00, Jack Elvig 5-2-1933, He held the record for 1:20 until Samuel Vester crossed the finish.

71Y 11M 9D - 1987, 73:04, Brian Lisle 7-28-1915, with assistance from his youthful partner, Sam Thiede.

66Y 11M 16D - 1994, 54:04, Lillie Cochran finished in 10th place with her daughter-in-law, Linda, and son, Jerry.

Mick Edgar has finished six times and won six 1st places.

1988 1st Novice, 1989-1990 1st Aluminum, 1993 1st Mixed, 1992 & 2000 1st Standard

John Bugge has finished and won the following 9 classes: Aluminum, USCA Cruiser, USCA C-1, Unlimited, Tandem Unlimited*, Solo Unlimited, Novice*, Master's, and Mixed.

(*prior to official classification)
The only remaining classes include Standard, Novice and Women. One of which he is ineligible due to Novice Class requirements and another requires elective surgery. 

8 (tie) - John Bugge - 1979 1st Aluminum, 1981-1982 1st USCA C-2, 1983 1st Solo Unlimited, 1984 1st Aluminum, 1985 1st Solo Unlimited, 1986-1987 1st Unlimited

8 (tie) - Tom Goynes - 1977, 1st Unlimited, 1979 1st USCA C-2 (Mixed), 1980 1st Unlimited, 1981 1st Unlimited, 1983 1st Unlimited, 1984 1st Mixed, 1985 1st Unlimited, 1987 1st Solo Unlimited

9 - 2001 - Wade Binion, John Bugge, Richard Steppe, Vance Sherrod, Rob Wytaske, Erin Magee, Pete Binion, Jim Pye, John Maika 

8 - 2001 - Donald Baumbach, John Dunn, Brian & Fred Mynar, Kyle Mynar, Churk Stewart, Fiona & Mike Vincent

6 - 1997 - Solomon Carriere, Jerry Cochran, John Dunn, Steve Landick, Bryan Mynar, Fred Mynar
5 - 1996 - John Bugge, Richard Long, Mike Shea, Mike Shively, Jeff Verryp
4 - 1982 - Red Motley, John Oertel, Pat Petrisky, Troy Swift
3 - 1980 - Tom Goynes, Patrick "Pat" Oxsheer, Jim Trimble
2 - 1963 - James "Jimmy" H. Jones, Lynn A. Maughmer

7 - 2001 - Phil Bowden, Peter "Fuzzy" Churchman, Jerry Cochran, Brian & Reed McCoy, Pat Petrisky, Mike Shively

6 - 1997 - Solomon Carriere, Jerry Cochran, John Dunn, Steve Landick, Bryan Mynar, Fred Mynar
5 - 1994 - Donald Baumbach, Thomas Dornak, Grady Hicks, Jon Nilsestuen, David Thielman
4 - 1964 - Archie P. Clark, Fred A. Hurd, Jr., James "Jimmy" H. Jones, Lynn A. Maughmer
2 - 1963 (tie) - James "Jimmy" H. Jones, Lynn A. Maughmer
2 - 1963 (tie) - Sam Hare, Fred A. Hurd, Jr.

3- Tie: 

1997 - Cindy Meurer, Teddy Gray, Ginsie Dunn 
1997 - Kaki Burruss, Jackie Cole, Marvine Cole (sisters)
1991 - "The GIPL Team", in a Kevlar C-3, composed of Donna Bugge, Teddy Gray & Dianna Finstad. They finished 10th overall. The name "GIPL" comes from the word "GIRL". They were known affectionatdly as "The GIRL Team" until the tail from the word "GIRL" was inadvertantly scraped off their boat during a training run on the San Marcos. The name stuck.

55Y 3M 26D - 2002, Kaki Burruss 2-24-45 (57), Jackie Cole 2-8-49 (53) (sisters), 94:56
54Y 3M 27D - 2001, Kaki Burruss 2-24-45 (56), Jackie Cole 2-8-49 (52) (sisters), 94:14

55Y 3M 26D - 2002, Kaki Burruss 2-24-45 (57), Jackie Cole 2-8-49 (53) (sisters), 94:56
54Y 3M 27D - 2001, Kaki Burruss 2-24-45 (56), Jackie Cole 2-8-49 (52) (sisters), 94:14

63Y 11M - 2002, 95:05, James Chambers, 10-7-1938, Roger Zimmerman, 4-18-1938

55Y 1M 1D - 2000, Jackie Cole 2-8-49 51Y 4M 4D, Bill Burruss 8-13-41 58Y 9M 29D

1966 - 15

1965 - 34
1964 - 41
1963 - 58

113 - 2001

1 Teams - 1966, Harold & Jay Bludworth were the only team to cross the finish line out of all the racers.

2 Teams - 1963, 4 Finishers - Jimmy Jones & Lynn Maughmer, Fred Hurd & Sam Hare

Roger Zimmerman - 44 years, 1963-2007

2001 - 76

2000 - 68
1999 - 53
1995 - 49
1992 - 42
1986 - 38
1983 - 27
1972 - 23
1969 - 14 (tie)
1968 - 14 (tie)
1964 - 14 (tie)
1963 - 2

2001 - 159

2000 - 147
1999 - 115
1997 - 108
1995 - 95
1992 - 81
1986 - 67
1985 - 44
1975 - 38
1964 - 30
1963 - 4

377 miles - 1965, ending at Freeport.

2nd longest: 347 miles - 1963, ending at Corpus Christi.

Originally, the distance to Corpus was advertised as 500 miles, but it appears early racers meassured this distance in kilometers instead of miles.

248.3 miles - 1974.

The Safari and the Texas River Marathon were held simultaneously from San Marcos to Corpus Christi. In the Marathon, all racers were in aluminum boats to pay tribute to the original Safari. The faster Safari racers were halted at the Tivoli Bridge due to storms in the bay. By the time the Texas River Marathon arrived a couple hours later, the storm had cleared, so the Marathon racers continued on to Corpus Christi, while the Safari officially ended in Tivoli.

Roger Zimmerman - Safari rules dictate that a Novice is a paddler that has never completed the race successfully and is currently racing in an aluminum class canoe. Theoretically, an Olympic champion could be classified as a Novice under these conditions. Roger Zimmerman competed in the first organized Texas Water Safari in a wood/canvass Folbot. He never made it the complete distance to Corpus Christi, having to bail out 15 miles short due to dehydration and fatigue. He rested up for the next 30 years, then entered again in 1994 and and won the Novice class with partner Bill Smith. In 1995 he became the oldest solo finisher.

Jerry Nunnery - won in 1984 in a USCA Cruiser with Partner Roy Tyronne. It was Nunnery's first attempt and Tyronne's second, during low water.

55 feet: 38:35, 2nd place winner, 2001 (see Largest Mixed Team)

9-man - John Bugge, Wade Binion, Richard Steppe, Vance Sherrod, Rob Wytaske, Erin Magee, Pete Binion, Jim Pye, Joh Maika. Captain: Ed Koslosky

11 feet - 1992, Perception Dancer, plastic whitewater kayak (not recommended for ultra-marathon distances), paddled by West Hansen.

17 - Jack & Mark Elvig, 1988, 1990-2005
13 - Joe & Brian Mynar, 1984-1985, 1989-1996, 1998-2000

13 - Jack Elvig 1993-2005

Jack, Mark and John (age 15) Elvig: 80.5 hours, 2004

Richard Miller finished the TWS in 1975-1976. He then finished in 1979, 1998 & 2001-2002 after becoming legally blind. Richard says "I was legally blind in 1979, but in 1998 & 2001, I had only 5% of vision left. I am totally blind in extreme low light conditions and at night. My partners tell me to duck when low limbs are coming (if they are not mad at me at the moment). I slow us down a little on some portages, but besides that it ain't no big deal."