Up & Back Boat Race

August 19-20, 2023

Pack your paddling gear and head to where the Texas Hill Country meets the deserts of West Texas for an epic adventure like no other. The Up & Back Boat Race is an approximate 30-mile journey along the pristine South Llano River past rugged limestone bluffs and green oaks.  

Embark on an epic Texas boat race or relax under the shade of a pecan tree just steps from the beautiful South Llano River. Welcome to a weekend of water adventures in Junction, Texas, a small town perched at the intersection of the Texas Hill Country and West Texas. Test your physical and mental endurance in the Up & Back Boat Race, an adventure that’ll take every ounce of endurance you have within you to finish in less than 12 hours.  

As one of the few canoe and kayak races in Texas, the Up & Back Boat Race is for the truly adventurous in spirit. It all kicks off at 9:00 a.m. when you and your fellow competitors set off on a nearly all-day journey. Remember, there are no motorized boats allowed! 

The first leg takes you to the “First Crossing,” a point about 15 miles from the Junction City Park South Llano River Dam. Before you arrive, you will reach the most challenging portion just before the turnaround point, when you must navigate through rapids and rocks. Although most make it here, not everyone finishes the race. It is completed when your boat returns to the City Park. 

You have 12 hours to finish the race, and you will need all that time, as this is a physically and mentally demanding competition. Whether you’re paddling alone or with a partner in a tandem kayak or canoe, you’ll want to bring plenty of sunscreen, water, and something to snack on as you’ll be out on the water all day. Make it back in the allotted time, and you will qualify for entry into a drawing for a cash prize. Even if you don’t win, you will have plenty of stories to tell about one of the Lone Star State’s truly epic races. 

Junction’s first Up & Back Boat Race was in 2017, with 16 paddlers racing to win the $1,000 grand prize. The winner completed the race in an unbelievable 6 hours and 59 minutes. As long as you finish the race by 9:00 p.m. you are entered into a drawing for the cash grand prize and many other great prizes.  

Grab a partner or race solo, just be sure to register in time and gather the information you need to plan your competitive boat racing adventure. This event is a big win for those who enjoy competing on the water while taking in breathtakingly beautiful Texas Hill Country scenery.