Post messages, make inquiries or read what others are saying.
"We believe in paddling children and adults"
The East Texas River Runners Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to conservation and education, organizes and conducts several local events in the Palestine, Tx. area, the largest of which is the Neches River Wilderness Canoe Race, a fund raiser for students in need at Trinity Valley Community College, which takes place every year on the first weekend in August. Membership benefits include the free use of club canoes and gear.
The Neches River Wilderness Canoe Race, conceived and directed for the last 16 years by club President Ed Furman, Vice President Betty Furman, and Secretary Candice Dillon to benefit a scholarship fund for Trinity Valley Community College, has become a tradition in the Palestine area and has gained a national reputation as one of the most challenging and best organized canoe races anywhere. It owes its reputation in large measure to the many community volunteers who come together to put the race on each year. With all the excitement and energy around the race itself some may be unaware that it's the generosity of our race sponsors that make this scholarship fund possible each year.
In addition to the Neches canoe race fund raiser Secretary Candice Dillon organized Canoe and Kayak Clinics in the Palestine area which provided instruction in conservation, safety, and basic canoeing and kayaking. These events solicited and encouraged participation from all age groups and were particularly popular among families and the young..." the family that plays together stays together". Along with class instruction we provided food and refreshments and lots of comraderie for participants. We were lucky to have club members Lisa and John Walling, who are certified canoe and kayak instructors, to help us with these events. Lisa and John, who operate Mack Creek Outfitters, also provided canoes and kayaks free for clinic participants.
Working with Texas Parks and Wildlife, in an effort to keep the Big Slough Paddling Trail alive in the Davy Crockett National Forest, East Texas River Runners completed a project of trail marking and clean up of this remote and unique paddling trail. The project was initiated by Noel Kirkwood and completed by club members and volunteers over several days.
John Walling of ETRR and Mack Creek Outfitters gives Kayaking basics at Palestine's Waterworks Lake
River Runners at the start of the Neches race
 | ||||||
| ||||||
| ||||||
| ||||||
Lisa Walling on Safety
Refreshments all around
| ||||
Education
Racing
CONSERVATION
East Texas River Runners is associated with the Texas Canoe Racing Association and the United States Canoe Association which provides standards and guidelines for canoe racing in the U.S. We are represented at USCA by Noel Kirkwood .
East Texas River Runners, under the directorship of club President Ed Furman, on Sept. 28, 2002 hosted the United States Canoe Association National Stock Aluminum Canoe Marathon Championship on the Trinity River in Anderson County near Palestine, Texas. Two milestones of note were established in that race on the Trinity: ETRR and East Texas produced the largest entry field ever for a USCA Aluminum Championship, and a USCA woman's division Championship was crowned for the first time.Earlier that year ETRR hosted the Texas State Aluminum Championships at the same location.
Neches Wilderness Canoe Race
| ||||||
THANKS SPONSORS AND RACERS
Club Secretary Candice Dillon
Our biggest event,the 2006 Neches River Wilderness Canoe Race, provided funds for the Special Needs Scholarship Fund at Trinity Valley Community College.
THE EAST TEXAS RIVER RUNNERS
