Come join the Florida Competition Paddlers Association as we kick off our 2021 paddling season with the 46^th annual Silver River Race on Saturday, December 5, 2020.  This race has long and short course options and is open to all paddle craft.  The race is free, but participants must pay the day use fee ($5) at Ray Wayside Park.

The race starts at Ray Wayside Park which is located east of Ocala where SR40 crosses the Ocklawaha River.  Once exiting the boat basin, all racers will paddle upstream on the Silver River.  Short course paddlers will round the first island and return to Ray Wayside for a total distance of approximately 3.5 miles.  Long course paddlers will continue upstream, round Monkey Island and return for a total distance of approximately 9 miles.   

The Silver River is one of the premier paddling locations in Florida, with cool, clear water and a steady (1+mph) current.  You will see gators, turtles, fish, lots of birds and maybe the wild monkeys.  This is a very popular location so there will be lots of recreational paddlers and a few motorboats (the entire river is a No Wake zone). 

Ray Wayside Park is maintained by Monroe County and charges a day user fee of $5 per vehicle.  There are restrooms, two boat ramps and a hand launch area.  When you arrive, stop in the staging area close to the hand launch to unload your boat prior to parking.  Make sure that you do not park in the spots designated for vehicles with trailers ($250 fine).  If the parking spots nearest the water are full, there are additional spots for vehicles without trailers across the grass to the west, or you can park outside the park (you still must pay).  Additional info can be found at: http://www.marioncountyfl.org/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/84/663?npage=2

Due to COVID concerns, the FCPA Annual Meeting and 2020 Awards Presentation will take place at Ray Wayside immediately following the race, and not at China Buffet as it has in previous years.  For those interested, there will be a no-host (you pay) group lunch at China Buffet following the awards.  RSVP with Glennis Williams (ggawilliams1@gmail.com) for the group lunch.

Location: Ray Wayside Park: 9564 NE 28th Lane, Silver Springs, FL 34488

Registration: All competitors must register on-site 9-9:45am.  Online preregistration via PaddleGuru or Facebook is appreciated and will help us anticipate the number of participants. 

Race Start: 10:00 am

All Competitors MUST also check in with the timer at the completion of the race, to make sure that your finish has been recorded.   

POC: John Edwards, canoechamp@aol.com

The FCPA was formed in 1976 to coordinate and promote the sport of canoe and kayak racing in Florida.  The FCPA hosts approximately fourteen free recreational races across the state of Florida each year.  To be eligible for the annual points championship, you must be an FCPA member which costs $10 annually.  FCPA members receive a free meal at the awards banquet and a monthly email newsletter which contains a race schedule, race results, articles written by members and member classified ads.

FCPA races are very high-stake affairs, with ribbons awarded to winners in each division.  Annual points champions are awarded a coveted T-shirt during the annual meeting/awards banquet (following the Silver Springs Race) in December.  Divisions are established using the USCA age/gender designations and the following boat classifications:

Boat Classifications

Paddle with your hands – Prone

Paddle while standing – Paddleboard (SUP)

Paddle while sitting:

With two-blade paddle – Kayak (K)

With single-blade paddle – Canoe (C)

Outrigger or Highkneel Canoe – Unlimited Canoe (OC)

USCA Age Classes

Junior (J) - <18

Open (O) – 18-39

Master (M) – 40-49

Senior (S) - 50-59

Veteran 1 (V1) - 60-64

Veteran 2 (V2) - 65-69

Grand Veteran 1 (GV1) - 70-74

Grand Veteran 2 (GV2) - 75-79

Grandmaster Veteran (GM) - 80+

NOTE – All participants are responsible for carrying safety equipment required by law.