Marathon Paddle Racing - This is
what we do!
Paddling is perhaps the most
encompassing and attainable sport out there.
Our races vary from 3 mile sprints down winding rivers to 3 1/2 hours
of marathon racing which may include up and down stream routes with
bouy turns
and possible one or more portages at times. Here in Texas many of us
enjoy Ultra-Marathoning but that's another story. Paddling is a low
impact
sport similar to sports like swimming and cross country skiing.
Although the races offer age groups the fastest times can come from any
class on a given day. Participants can make paddling whatever they
choose.
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As
I stated, paddling
is a low impact exercise, with the possibilitys of being a highly
aerobic sport.
It is also a test of technique and knowledge. The ability to read water
is a skill learned by time on the water in various weather conditions.
All these factors are integral to enjoying and excelling at the sport.
The fact that skill and knowledge are as important as muscle strength
make this a sport where all ages and sexes can excel.
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Marathon Canoe Racing - The
Paddlers
 The
only thing we have in common is wanting to spend time on the water and
share that passion with all we come in contact with. There are those of
us so dedicated to the sport we will clear log jams and break through
ice to get on the water.
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You can
choose to paddle only on the weekends or 10 hours a week. The beauty of
our passion is that no matter where you live anyone can get to a lake
or river where you can stretch out your arms and go.
Marathon
Canoe Racing - The Paddles
 Often
times the most important difference between recreational paddling and
marathon paddling is the paddle. The bent shaft racing paddle
is quite unique and requires a specific stroke method. This stroke, now
called the modern canoe stroke, allows power to come from pushing down
with the upper arm as well as pulling with the lower arm. The use of
the large torso muscles allows you to travel further without fatigue
and because the boat is maneuvered by switching sides rather than "J"
stroking, no momentum is lost.
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Marathon Canoe Racing - The
Canoes
As mentioned above, our sport has various racing classes based on
hull length and design. Recreational classes are divided into true
recreational canoes and modified varing length hulls. The racing canoes
have specifications they must meet based on maximum length and
minimum width. They can be made from wood, fiberglass, Kevlar or carbon
fiber. Choice of boat depends on expertise, proposed use and available
resources. Before choosing your own boat it is important to paddle in
several boats to find the one most comfortable for you and practical
for the races you plan to do.
Where you purchase a boat depends on what class you plan to enter. We
have many good manufacturers of recreational canoes, for
example Old Town Canoes Inc., Mad
River Canoes
and Wenonah
Canoes Inc..
Racing canoes are somewhat less available. The
major manufacturers are Wenonah, Corbin and Savage River. For these
boats talk to our members for more information. Marathon paddlers are
not confined to the use of
solo and tandem boats. Our stroke method is used to race larger boats
such as Outriggers, Voyager, Dragon and possibly Olympic Hull boats.
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Marathon Canoe Racing - The Clubs
Here in Texas there are various formal and informal groups of paddlers
who meet to practice and enjoy each other's company. We ourselves have
club member in many of the surrounding towns near and far from our
river's home base of Dallas. If you
would like to find paddlers in your area don't hesitate to contact one
of our club officers.
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Marathon Canoe Racing - The Races
 Texas hosts
between 10 and 15 races per year. They are
geographically spread over the entire state. If you check our schedule
you can locate one close to you. Generally races offer a marathon class
which will be a minimum distance of 7 miles and a recreational class
which will vary from 3 to 20 miles also.
If you scan around the individual race pages your will find the courses
vary from narrow winding rivers to open lakes. Some include portages.
We marathoners tipically do not paddle white water in our race courses
but currents and eddies will vary with water levels ( rainfall ) to an
often interesting excitment usually in the spring,
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This page is meant to supply as much information as possible to the
best of our knowlege. Please be sure to verify all the activities you
plan to attend because they change throughout the year and we don't
always get the updates in a timely fashion! Feel free to
contact
us for more information or corections at web manager.
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