Come join the Florida Competition Paddlers Association for

our annual Weeki Wachee Race at 9am on Saturday, February 3, 2018.  This race has long and short course options

and is open to all paddle craft.  The

race is free, but participants must pay the parking fee at Weekiwachee Preserve

Bayport Park.

The race starts at Weekiwachee Preserve Bayport Park, which

is located at the mouth of the Weeki Wachee River on Hwy 550.  (For paddlers who have previously competed in

this race, please note that the start location has changed this year due to

construction/closure of Rogers Park.)   Exiting Baypoint Park, paddlers will turn

left (east) into the river and paddle upstream following the channel through a

wide expanse of sawgrass to the confluence of the Mud River.  At that point, you will turn right into the

canals of Weeki Wachee Gardens development, past Rogers park and upstream to

the spring head, then return to the starting point.  Total distance will for the long course will be

approximately 15 miles.  The turn around for the short course is ~1 mile upstream from the bridge at Rogers Park, which will result in a total distance of ~5.6 miles. Just before the turn around, there is a blue sea wall with pictures painted on the left. You cannot miss it. At the next fork, you turn around.

Located north of Tampa Bay, the Weeki Wachee is one of the

most popular paddling destinations in Florida. 

The river is crystal clear with swift current and scenic

surroundings.  Portions of the river

become very narrow with sharp turns, making it a technical paddle.  You will almost certainly see manatees, and

numerous recreational kayaks are the norm during nice weather.

Weekiwachee Preserve Bayport Park is a 12.5-acre facility owned by Hernando County.  The entire park has undergone a renovation

that includes a 144-foot scenic boardwalk along the coastline, nature trails,

shelters, a pavilion, new restrooms, an upgraded boat ramp and additional

parking for boat trailers.  Racers are

advised to pay the parking fee and avoid the parking spots marked for trailer

parking (unless you have a trailer). 

Additional information can be found at: https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/areas/weekiwachee-bayport_park.html#land

Location: Weekiwachee Preserve Bayport Park: 4141 Cortez

Boulevard, Spring Hill, FL 34607

Registration: All competitors must register on-site

8-9am.  Online preregistration via PaddleGuru

or Facebook is appreciated and will help us anticipate the number of

participants

Start: 9am

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.     Boat

has outrigger – OC