Tubing recommendations--San Marcos area (Austin, New Braunfels: rentals, college, outlet mall)

[10scoachrick]

Time to escape the heat(partially)...we have six relatives headed our way for next week and I'm told they want to 'tube' a river. I've heard the San Marcos is 'better' somehow but would welcome any opinions from local experts. We can go on a week-day, hopefully to avoid some of the crowds. Any C-Ders have recommendations? Any favorite tube rental companies? Thanks and stay cool!

[hound 109]

No river is "better" than a lazy float down the Comal (on a week day).

After your float have a late lunch/early dinner at Huisache or the Gristmill.

I prefer to use the rentals at the Wursthalle (longest float on the Comal).

If going next week avoid (like the plague) ANY river on Fri/Sat & Sun...unless you get there before 10:30am.

[airboat5]

san marcos is a great choice.

[antennaball]

Honestly, San Marcos is a horrible choice right now. The vegetation in the River has taken over and you're constantly brushing up against it or having to paddle away from it. On top of that, the water is low and very stagnant in places.

The Comal in New Braunfels is definitely what you want to do.

[love roses]

What about the river around Seguin? My mom went to college there and said people tube there and did as well when she was there.

[10scoachrick]

Thanks all! We'll talk it over when the folks arrive tonight. Looks like the Comal might be the best shot--multiple 'toob' suppliers in the area as well. We're still new to the area(one year), especially south of Austin(OK, one trip to Salt Lick and down to the outlet mall), so the smallest river in the world was unknown to me.

Interesting that some of the businesses in the area apparently developed their web pages a half-dozen years ago and never updated. I can't put much stock in 'feedback' from 2003! Just sayin'...

Anyway,
As an ex tennis teaching pro, I should have visited Newk's tennis ranch years ago but I couldn't justify traveling over 1000 miles to play tennis on hard courts when I was surrounded by thousands of courts in Atlanta. Still need to get down to New Braunfels area for that--might wait for slightly cooler temps.

Maybe I'll take the trip, put the relatives in the water, and do a little exploring on my own.

Anybody know how to pronounce Seguin??? Don't want to sound like a rookie.

[love roses]

sah-geen. Although I was listening to some radio show where there was an argument over whether it was pronounced segwhen or seh-geen. In my entire life I've never, ever heard anyone call it se-gwhen so my suggestion will always be to call it seh-geen. (that's with a hard g by the way )

[theloneranger]

Suh-geen. Named after Juan Seguin and his father Erasmo, which is "Say-GEEN--" almost the same thing.

[10scoachrick]

Thanks y'all...sah-seh-suh-say-geen it is!

I am truly Humbled by the Manor in which many local names are pronounced, dag-Burnet!

[hound 109]

Originally Posted by 10scoachrick

Thanks all! We'll talk it over when the folks arrive tonight. Looks like the Comal might be the best shot--multiple 'toob' suppliers in the area as well. We're still new to the area(one year), especially south of Austin(OK, one trip to Salt Lick and down to the outlet mall), so the smallest river in the world was unknown to me.

Interesting that some of the businesses in the area apparently developed their web pages a half-dozen years ago and never updated. I can't put much stock in 'feedback' from 2003! Just sayin'...

Anyway,
As an ex tennis teaching pro, I should have visited Newk's tennis ranch years ago but I couldn't justify traveling over 1000 miles to play tennis on hard courts when I was surrounded by thousands of courts in Atlanta. Still need to get down to New Braunfels area for that--might wait for slightly cooler temps.

Maybe I'll take the trip, put the relatives in the water, and do a little exploring on my own.

Here's a link to the toob rental place at the Wurstfest Grounds.

Landa Falls

imo, the best place because it's the longest float (on the world's shortest river ), parking is secure right there on the Wurstfest Grounds, & the first few hundred yards you have the river to yourself before the other companies dump their folks in at their starting point. It's about a 2 - 2 1/2 hour float.

Read up on the tube chute so they know if they either do or don't want to do it....it's fun but a little scary for some. Also read up on what containers are & aren't allowed. If this is a "family float", definitely do the Comal as your first float. Lots of rowdies up on the Guadalupe.....& since the Comal Springs are right there in Landa Park, the water is a heavenly 75-76 degrees. (It's the water used for Schlitterbahn).

My kid played at Newks for a couple of years....great training, but kind of a dumpy place. (but i like it).

Have fun & definitely check out Gruene & the Gristmill afterwards...if you've never been down to NB.

(But start your day early & end your day early for lots of reasons.)