It's time for the Great Texas Catamaran Race, another 300-mile grueling sailboat competition that takes contestants from South Padre Island to Galveston Island in a race against time for fame and glory.
The race is an event born of true grit and old world adventure spirit covering over 300 miles of racing that takes sailors up the barrier islands from South Padre and past miles of open beach where lie hidden hundreds of shipwrecks that have come before. The course is both challenging and potentially hazordous as weather changes and shipping traffic becomes an obstacle for the small boats that race against time to reach the shores of Galveston.
It's the longest catamaran race in the world and competitors are limited to 18 - 22 foot catamaran vessels - not a lot of boat for open water. Daring sailors adventure into the Gulf of Mexico into remote areas and, in Old World tradition, are not allowed to have support boats follow along. They must deal with unpredictable twists in not only changing weather conditions but the possibility of equipment malfunction, knowing they are own their own in an ever-changing environment.
The race is operated by the Great Texas Fleet, a nonprofit association that makes an effort to assure a safe and fun event for competitors. While conestants are own their own, there are race directors who make every attempt to keep up with each vessel and its possible need for assistance.
It is quite a spectacle to see the race start and end on each of the four days of the event. Friends, family members and interested spectators often watch the begiining of the race on South Padre Island, then drive each day to the next checkpoint to watch sailors arrive in staggered succession - then leave again the next crack of dawn.
The race begins at South Padre Island and ends the first day at Mustang Island State Park. On day two the race starts at Mustang Island and ends at Matagorda Beach where participants will have an overnight camp out and swap sailing stories around a beach bonfire. Day three the race starts out from the campsite and ends as sailors reach Surfside, near Freeport. The final leg of the race takes cat sailors from Surfside to Galveston's East Side Park for the finish.
Whether your a catamaran sailor or a sailing fan, get out to the beach and catch a glimpse of the magnificent cats sailing on the ocean in the longest catamaran race in the world.....The Great Texas Catamaran Race.
Schedule of Events...
June 11-14 Great Texas Catamaran Race
Time Boats arrive East Beach between 1pm &�4pm, June 14th
Location East Beach
Admission East Beach admission is $8 per car; $16 per bus or rv
