Texas Water Safari

Texas Water Safari Photo Page

2002 Photo Gallery

The Texas Water Safari began in 1963, one year after the historic trip from San Marcos to Corpus Christi, Texas by Frank Brown and Bill "Big Willie" George in a 12-foot Lone Star aluminum wide-beam row boat. Every year since 1963, the Safari has been contested on the San Marcos and Guadalupe Rivers, starting in San Marcos Springs on teh campus of Texas STate University in the Town of San Marcos, running about 80 miles to the confluence of the Guadalupe River at Gonzales, and ending at the Town of Seadrift on San Antonio Bay, some 261.7 miles from the starting point. The record time was established in 1997, by the team of Brian Mynar, Fred Mynar, John Dunn, Jerry Cochran, Steve Landick and Solomon Carrierre in a time of only 29 hours 46 minutes.

The photographs on this page were taken by Marc W. McCord on June 8, 2002. They are depictions of the 40th Annual Texas Water Safari and are from Aquarena Springs, where the race bagins, as well as Cottonseed Rapid and Staples Dam on the San Marcos River. Over 230 paddlers entered the 2002 race, and these photographs are a tribute to their courage, fortitude and insanity for even trying to complete this grueling test of stamina and skill.

Click the thumbnail images below for the full-size photos

Texas Water Safari marker at Aquarena Springs in San Marcos Pre-race preparations at Aquarena Springs in San Marcos Pre-race preparations at Aquarena Springs in San Marcos
Getting on the river at Aquarena Springs in San Marcos Bill George at Aquarena Springs starting line in San Marcos Getting lined up for the start of the 40th Annual Texas Water Safari
Lines up and waiting for the starting gun Pre-race anticipation at Aquarena Springs in San Marcos And, THEY'RE OFF! Only 261.7 miles to go!
Aerating the water in the San Marcos River at Aquarena Springs The first boat enters Cottonseed Rapid It's a perfect maneuver for the first team to reach Cottonseed Rapid

TWS History Homepage Historical Photos Page One Historical Photos Page Two
Historical Photos Page Three TWS 2002 Photo Page Two
Official TWS Homepage Canoeman River Guide Services
Canoeman.com Lone Star Paddler Southwest Paddler

This page designed, created and maintained by
Marc W. McCord dba CobraGraphics
© May 30, 1998. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 1997-2025, Marc W. McCord dba CobraGraphics. All rights reserved. CobraGraphics, Canoeman.com, Lone Star Paddler, Southwest Paddler and Canoeman River Guide Services are exclusive tradenames and trademarks of Marc W. McCord. The textual, graphic, audio, and audio/visual material in this site is protected by United States copyright law and international treaties. You may not copy, distribute, or use these materials except for your personal, non-commercial use. Any trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All original photos on this web site are the exclusive property of Marc W. McCord or other designated photographers, and may not be copied, duplicated, reproduced, distributed or used in any manner except upon prior written permission under penalty of US and International laws and treaties.

Last updated January 24, 2025