San Antonio River Basin Paddling Race Series-SASPAMCO Showdown

More Information and Race Signup Here: https://www.sariverauthority.org/whats-new/san-antonio-river-basin-paddling-race-series?fbclid=IwAR0Du3_MjQLtBDSElPBM3UOkbRP8M4XfHOc7fjoUSzKywrvS7uhK3Tcn2NQ

• Saturday, March 19, 2022
• 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Total distance: Approximately 12 miles
• The SASPAMCO Showdown will provide competitors a wild race requiring navigation around downed trees, submerged brush, and each other as participants face-off to see who can be the first to cross the finish line!
• Named in honor of a nearby historic Wilson County community, the SASPAMCO Paddling Trail is lined with tall trees and intriguing geologic features. The race will begin at the River Authority’s River Crossing Park and end at the River Authority’s John William Helton-San Antonio River Nature Park (Helton Park).
• Please note: River Crossing Park has a small parking lot and limited space in the turnaround driveway to drop off paddling equipment. Participants are encouraged to be dropped off with their equipment at River Crossing Park to stage for the race and have their support crew immediate go to either Graytown Park to meet the racers at the checkpoint location or to Helton Park to wait for and meet the participants at the finish line take out point. For those participants who do not have a support crew, they can drop off their equipment at River Crossing Park (it will be watched by race staff) and then go to Helton Park where a shuttle bus will provide service back to River Crossing Park. During the online registration process, participants will be required to inform the River Authority race organizers if you plan to utilize the shuttle bus service.
• Awards ceremony with prizes for the top three finishers in each category will be held following the race at 5:00 p.m. at Helton Park, where a community event will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. including live music, food trucks, car show, Wilson County Trade Days, and other activities.
• The SASPAMCO Showdown is hosted by the San Antonio River Authority and San Antonio River Foundation.

Race Categories

An awards ceremony with prizes for the top three finishers in each of the seven categories listed below will be held following each race. All participants will receive a participation recognition. Participants who compete in all four races in the San Antonio River Basin Race Series will receive a t-shirt and a commemorative plaque. Beyond the flow of the river, human muscle power (e.g., row, paddle, walk, swim, carry, or drag) is the only thing that can propel the craft. Each of the 4 races in the 2022 San Antonio River Basin Race Series will consist of seven race categories. For each of the 4 races, if less than 3 entrants register for a given category, that category will be dropped from the competition.

Women’s Unlimited:     No craft specification for this category except that the craft can only be powered by human muscle, is limited to one female participant, and no inflatable crafts will be allowed.

Women’s USCA C-1:      Maximum length 18'6", minimum width 14 3/8% of length at the 4" waterline. Minimum bow height 15.5", minimum stern height 11.5", depth at center 11.5". Limited to one female participant with single blade paddles (no rudders).

Men’s Unlimited:          No craft specification for this category except that the craft can only be powered by human muscle, is limited to one male participant, and no inflatable crafts will be allowed.

Men’s USCA C-1:           Maximum length 18'6", minimum width 14 3/8% of length at the 4" waterline. Minimum bow height 15.5", minimum stern height 11.5", depth at center 11.5". Limited to one male participant with single blade paddles (no rudders).

Mixed Tandem Unlimited:         No craft specification for this category except that the craft can only be powered by human muscle, is limited to two participants (one male and one female), and no inflatable crafts will be allowed. Both participants must travel together in the same craft for the entirety of the race.

Tandem Unlimited:       No craft specification for this category except that the craft can only be powered by human muscle, is limited to two participants, and no inflatable crafts will be allowed. Both participants must travel together in the same craft for the entirety of the race.

USCA C-2:                     Participants in this category may use either a Competition Cruiser with a (4/32) maximum length 18'6", minimum width 14 3/8% of length at the 4” waterline, minimum bow height 15.5", minimum stern height 11.5", depth at center 11.5" or a Pro Boat with a (3/27) maximum length 18'6", minimum width 27" at the 3" waterline, minimum bow height 15", minimum stern height 10", minimum depth at center 10", minimum gunwale width 33". Either craft option is limited to two participants with single blade paddles (no rudders). Both participants must travel together in the same craft for the entirety of the race.