Come join the Florida Competition Paddlers Association as we kick off our 2024 paddling season with the 49^th annual Silver River Race on Saturday, December 2, 2023.  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 ($7) at Ray Wayside Park.

The race starts in the boat basin at Ray Wayside Park, which is located east of Ocala where SR40 crosses the Ocklawaha River.  (NOTE THAT THE SHORT COURSE HAS CHANGED FOR 2023.)  Short course paddlers will make a left turn exiting the boat basin and paddle approximately ½ mile downstream past the confluence with the Ocklawaha River to the Hwy 40 bridge.  At the bridge, short course paddlers will turn around, paddle back upstream on the Silver River past the boat basin entrance and around the first island, then back to the boat basin for a total distance of 5.0 miles.  Long course paddlers will turn right exiting the basin, and paddle upstream to round Monkey Island and return for a total distance of 9.1 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 Marion County and charges a day user fee of $7 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

The FCPA Luncheon, Annual Meeting and 2023 Awards Presentation will take place after the race, details TBD. 

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 paddle sport racing in Florida.  The FCPA hosts approximately fourteen free recreational events 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 events 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 Event) 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

Great Grand Veteran 1 (GGV1) – 80-84

Great Grand Veteran 2 (GGV2) – 85+

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