2022 USCA Aluminum National Championships

The U.S.C.A. Stock Aluminum Nationals Returns to Texas in 2022

On October 1st & 2nd the USCA Stock Aluminum Nationals will again be held in Texas. After a two year hiatus, due to the covid virus, the race will be held on the 2019 Aluminum Nationals course that begins at the FM 969 Bridge crossing of the Colorado River and ends at Fisherman’s Park in downtown Bastrop, Texas. 

Saturday, October 1st race schedule includes: the Men’s Open (18-49), Men’s Masters (50 +), Women’s Open (18-49),  Women’s Masters (50+), and Jr Men's and Women's (15-18). Juniors Class: Any male or female that is 15, 16, 17, or 18 years old. All 18-year-olds that turned 18 prior to January 1, 2022 are ineligible.  The 18th birthday has to occur during this calendar year. 

Youth race: A youth race will be held during the lunch hour (following the finish of the adult race) at the finish line. Any boy or girl that is 14 years or younger can participate. The race will be (3 or 4 miles). Only tandem boats will be raced. There is no entry fee for the youth race.

Sunday, October 2nd race schedule  includes a Mixed Open (18-49) and Mixed Masters (50+). A non-championship  Solo Race is also planned for both men and women. All solo hull types are legal, there are no age brackets and either single and/or double-bladed paddles are allowed. Awards will be 5 deep. All races will start promptly at 9:00 a.m., except the Junior and Youth races which will be announced later. 

Adult races will be $35/racer for their first race, $15 extra/racer for their second race (in other words, if you race 2 races, then you pay $50/racer), and Juniors will pay $15. Youth will paddle for free.

If you'd prefer mail-in registration, download the form by clicking HERE (it must be postmarked by September 16th). Online Registration has closed. Day of race registration will be available Saturday and Sunday, 7:30 – 8:00 a.m., at the race start, cash or checks only on race day. All racers must check-in the morning of their race and sign the waiver. A mandatory race meeting will be held at 8:45 a.m. on both days. The races will start promptly at 9:00 on Saturday and Sunday.

Current USCA membership is required to race in the USCA Aluminum Nationals Races (not the Solo Race). To join electronically, go to www.uscanoe.com, click the JOIN USCA button and chose the type of membership. You may also join USCA on the day of the race. (Cash or check only). Governing membership is $20 for individual, $25 for family. If a junior’s family is not a family member, the junior can join for $7.50.

National Aluminum Canoe Criteria: While the class was created for stock-manufactured aluminum canoes, other stock recreational manufactured canoes are legal (wood, Rolex [ABS], plastic, etc.), but no Kevlar, carbon fiber, or racing hulls are allowed. No modifications to the external hull are permissible, although seats, footbraces, bulkheads, and decks may be modified or removed. However, any flotation removed from bulkheads, etc. must be replaced to provide at least 25 lbs. of buoyancy. No beaver canoes are legal.

Because many Alumacraft aluminum canoes have been modified to race the Texas Water Safari and other southern races, contestants must ensure that the external hull of their canoe has not been modified or pulled-in. The Race Chairman and the Technical Director of Inspection will be observing canoes and make the final determination as to the legality of any “stock” canoes. Any questions concerning the legality of any canoe can be directed to Bob Spain at rws0987@yahoo.com.

Rental Canoes:

Paddle with Style- Arrangements for rental canoes can be made by contacting Holly Orr at 512-749-2350 or paddlewithstyle@yahoo.com. Holly has recreational canoes and a few alumacraft aluminum canoes for rent.

Rising Phoenix canoe rental – Rental canoes are also available in Bastrop, Texas. The canoe livery has recreational canoes and several Epic solo surfskis for those that choose to race the solo class. Contact Jamie at 512-677-2305, risingphoenixadventures.com.

Shuttles: Rising Phoenix Adventures will do a shuttle on both race days (Saturday and Sunday). People will need to drop their boats at 969 and they will meet them at Fisherman's Park at 7:30 on Saturday and Sunday to bring them back to the race start. It is $10 per person. People should contact rising Phoenix Adventures directly at 512-677-2305  to make your reservation.

Awards and meals: Following each day’s races, the awards will be presented at a small pavilion adjacent to the takeout at the finish line in Fishermans Park. Food is also planned for participants.

Hotels and Camping: Bastrop is located 23 miles from Austin - Bergstrom International Airport and there are many hotels in Austin. However, hotels in Bastrop are only 6-11 miles from the start and 2-3 from the finish. A list of Bastrop hotels is shown below:

Hampton Inn and Suites 512-321-0900 Best Western 512-321-0900

Days Inn 512-321-1157 Holiday Inn Express 512-321-1900

Super 8 512-321-6000

Campgrounds in the area are:

Bastrop State Park, 512-321-2101, 35 sites Buescher State Park, 512-237-2241

KOA Campground, 1-800-562-1620, 64 sites