FCPA WASCISSA RIVER RACE

Join the Florida Competition Paddlers Association for our annual Wascissa River Race near Tallahassee Florida on Saturday, June 23, 2018.  This free race has long and short course options and is open to all paddle craft. 

Registration begins at 9:00 am at the county park near the Wascissa Spring head, and the race will start promptly at 10:00 am.  Short course racers will head downstream to a turnaround and back to the start for a total distance of approximately 6 miles.  Long course racers will continue downstream to the small dam and back for a total distance of approximately 11 miles.  Do not go through the dam opening or you will have trouble coming back! 

The Wascissa is one of Florida’s lessor know springs, but it is still a pretty paddle.  The river is clear, relatively wide and straight with a light/moderate current.  Due to shallow water with significant vegetation, shallow rudders/fins are suggested.  More info on the spring can be found at http://www.flsprings.com/content/wacissa-springs-group.

The park where the race starts has minimal facilities, a few porta-potties, picnic tables and a swimming area.  There is ample parking but on a nice day, this will fill up later in the day.   

Bring your lawn chairs and a picnic or dish to share after the race!

Location of Race: 290 Wacissa Springs Rd, Monticello, Florida 32344 (Note – This address is for the outfitter located at the spring.  Continue south and Wacissa Springs Road will dead end at the park)

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

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 expensive 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:

1.  Paddle while standing – Paddleboard

2.  Paddle while sitting:

    a.  With two-blade paddle – Kayak

    b.  With single-blade paddle – Canoe

        i.  Outrigger or Highkneel Canoe – Unlimited Canoe

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