The Cornfields and Cottomouths Canoe and Kayak Race takes place Sat. April 14, 2007 in conjunction with the Hidalgo Falls River Festival on the Brazos River near Navasota. The race as scheduled covers 28 miles of the Brazos River beginning at the Koppe Bridge public access approximately 26 river miles below SH 21 near Bryan, Tx. and finishing just upstream from the rapids at the TRPA property at Hidalgo Falls. This stretch of the Brazos River is a wide, generally tame and easily managed class I river with little or no obstructions along the way and the finish line is located just upstream from the rapids so they will not be a factor in the race. The race is open to both recreational and competitive marathon paddlers. The competitive paddlers can be expected to finish the race in 3 to 4 hours while recreational/leisure paddlers may be on the river from 6 to 8 hrs. Paddlers should prepare themselves accordingly by having ample supplies of liquids for hydration and food or nourishment to carry you through the race. Race coordinators and emergency personel will have full authority to judge a paddler out of the race if their assessment of his condition dictates so. Cut off time will be 8 hrs. A personal flotation device is required to be in the boat of and accessible to each paddler. Under 17 must be accompanied by and adult paddler and have a waiver of consent signed by a parent or guardian. This is fun oriented event and decisions of the race coordinator are final. The event is USCA sanctioned and TCRA points series participant. Entry fee is $20 before April 11, and $25 on race day.
Race regisration will be opened at the put in/starting line area at 8:00 a.m. Sat. April 8. All racers, both pre registered and not, will sign waiver an release of liability at that time and boats will be assigned numbers. Registration will remain open for recreational class until 8:40, for USCA/competition class until 9:40. A pre race meeting will be held approximately 15 minutes prior to the start of the recreational class and 15 minutes prior to the start of the competition class. The recreational/leisure class will start at en masse at 9:00 a.m. and the USCA/competition class at 10:00. Based on their own evaluation of skill level, race objectives, hull design etc. individual racers will be asked to designate their race class and subclass on their registration form.
Participants are asked to be responsible for their own shuttle arrangements. Volunteers will be on hand to assist in shuttling when possible.
