PaddleSMTX offers unique ways to experience the river while maintaining a safe, quarantine-friendly physical distance

With summer in full swing and the San Marcos River opening up to visitors after a long spring in quarantine, a local business now offers a new way to enjoy the water while keeping a safe physical distance.

PaddleSMTX recently added crystal kayaks to their rental service, allowing visitors to have a river experience unlike any other. PaddleSMTX, operated by the Adamson brothers, first introduced stand-up paddleboarding to San Marcos around six years ago when Luke Adamson first came from Dallas to Texas State University. Adamson, his brother, Dane, and one of their friends each bought personal paddle boards and spent their summer days exploring the river.

“There were three summers in a row where, I’m not kidding you, I was on the river every single day,” Adamson said.

After that, the Adamson brothers decided they needed to bring people out on the river to show them what stand-up paddling is all about. Not long after, they discovered a website that showed people how to outfit their boards with colored lights. “We saw that online and we thought, ‘Oh

“We saw that online and we thought, ‘Oh my gosh, we need to experiment with this.’” Adamson said. “So we got some lights and put them on-board and went out and night and it was just the coolest thing ever.” 

Seeing the Adamsons and their family and friends on glow-in-the-dark boards certainly generated attention among river-goers. Soon, visitors began asking how they could try stand-up paddle boarding for themselves. Some of them expressed concerns, however, about the act of balancing on what is essentially a giant surfboard.

“It’s honestly super easy,” Adamson said. “Especially on this river.”

Adamson went on to explain that around ninety percent of all the people they take out on the tour have never done stand up paddleboarding before.

“We go downriver the whole way,” he said. “Once you get on the river, it kinda just takes you along.”

For those who still have doubts, though, Adamson gave the assurance that visitors don’t have to stand on the board in order to play. “They call it a stand-up paddle,” he said. “But you don’t have to stand on it. You can sit. You can lay down. You can kneel. Whatever is most comfortable for you.” What began as a small venture for the

What began as a small venture for the Adamsons family and friends rapidly developed into a full-fledged touring service. Not only did they begin daily paddleboarding tours and night-time glow tours, they also began to offer kayak tours as well.

Then, this summer, the Adamsons discovered another unique way to experience the river by offering tours in crystal kayaks.

“They are specialty kayaks that are actually made of recycled airplane windshields,” Adamson said. “While paddling, the kayaks give you an awesome perspective into the amazing water world below.”

Like with the stand-up paddleboard, most people who book excursions in the crystal kayaks have minimal experience with kayaking. However, Adamson said that most people wind up getting the hang of it pretty quickly. The only thing he suggested was that they prefer that all participants know how to swim. He also recommended that participants bring plenty of water, sunscreen, water shoes, and clothes you don’t mind getting wet in. Additionally, visitors are not allowed to bring styrofoam or glass containers.

In addition to participant safety, PaddleSMTX aims to safeguard the natural beauty and environment of the San Marcos River.

“I am amazed daily by the beauty of the San Marcos River,” Adamson said. “Originally, when we started this, we wanted it to be as educational as possible. Before we even get on the water, we bring people over to a little patch of wild rice. We tell them, ‘Do your best to avoid it.’ Also, when they’re on the river, we make it clear that we’re all about protecting the river. We like to give them the rundown of the endangered species that you find here that you won’t find anywhere else in the world.” Adamson said that PaddleSMTX also has

Adamson said that PaddleSMTX also has river cleanups with their guides. “Sometimes it’s hard to find trash,” he said. “Because the Conservation Crew does such a good job.”

Though the San Marcos River is currently open to visitors, PaddleSMTX continues for the moment to operate only at half capacity. Groups are limited to six people, and visitors are required to wear a mask while riding in the up-river shuttle. After each visitor completes either a kayak or paddleboard tour, PaddleSMTX sanitizes all equipment, along with the inside of the shuttle van. Due to the city curfew on the river, glow tours are not available, but PaddleSMTX hopes to resume them within the coming weeks.

PaddleSMTX operates March through October. Guided evening tours are $34 and can be booked online at www.PaddleSMTX. com or over the phone at 512-400-6269. Tours depart from Rio Vista Park.