The photographs shown on these pages represent the works of Life Magazine photographers taken in 1962 and 1963, at the inception of the Texas Water Safari, "The World's Toughest Boat Race". These photos depict Frank Brown, the father of the Texas Water Safari, Bill "Big Willie" George, who accompanied Frank on that historic trip in 1962, and some of their friends who assisted them in those early days. Each photo will be accompanied by a brief description of people, places and circumstances, where known, describing the events that led to the modern version of the Safari. It should be noted that the earliest photos are included to honor Frank Brown who, as Manager of the San Marcos, Texas Chamber of Commerce, developed and promoted the TWS as a means of drawing tourism and growth to that small Texas Hill Country town. The black and white photos are from the collections of Jim Brown of Plano, Texas and Jeff Brown of Bedford, Texas, whose father founded the race. Appreciation for their efforts in creating the true story of the Texas Water Safari web site, and for their loan of these photos for this purpose, is gratefully acknowledged. Over time, additional photos will be added, many of which will feature the modern Safari, its boats and its paddlers as a way of showing a comparison between those heady days of 1962-63 and modern day festivities. The photos on this first page are from the first run in 1962, when Frank Brown and Bill "Big Willie" George made the excursion by themselves. Subsequent pages will include photos chronologically placed (wherever possible, as the exact sequence may not ever be known) to provide a snapshot of how it was back in the 1960's, when Viet Nam was raging on the other side of the world and history was being made in a sleepy little town thirty miles south of Austin.

Frank Brown and Bill George departing Aquarena Springs in San Marcos on the first run to
Corpus Christi, 1962. One mile down, 319 to go!

Bill George (left) and Frank Brown on the San Marcos during their first run in 1962.

Bill George and Frank Brown receive a welcome home cake from Paul Drew
on behalf of about 60-75 San Marcos residents upon their return home after the historic run in 1962.