SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio River Authority (River Authority) announced today the creation of the Be River Proud kayaking event series on the San Antonio River. Registration is now open for the first event of the series, which is a two-mile paddling trip that will take place Saturday, October 5 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the San Antonio River Walk Mission Reach Paddling Trail from VFW Blvd. to Espada Park. The River Authority is providing 50 free kayaks and a free shuttle service for this inaugural kayaking event.
Online registration is required to have access to the free kayaks and free shuttle service, which is available on a first-to-register basis on the River Authority’s website at sara-tx.org. Participants can also bring their own paddling equipment, but to have access to the free shuttle service, day-of registration is required.
“As part of the River Authority’s commitment to safe, clean, and enjoyable creeks and rivers, we are hosting paddling events to encourage residents to experience the recreational value of the river,” said River Authority’s General Manager Suzanne Scott. “The more residents can enjoy all the benefits of the river and its ecosystem, the more they will grow in their love and pride of this treasured resource. We invite everyone to come have fun on the river and help us protect it.”
The River Authority operates close to 45 miles of paddling trails throughout the San Antonio River Basin, including maintained put-in and take-out access points. The Be River Proud kayaking event series will include paddling trips on all the River Authority paddling trails to give the public the opportunity to engage with the river and learn about the parks and trails that are operated by the River Authority throughout its four-county service district.
Currently, there are 10 Be River Proud kayaking events planned from October 2019 to June 2020. More paddling events may be added in 2020. As part of the Be River Proud kayaking event series, the River Authority will be giving away a new kayak, including paddle and personal flotation device (life jacket), on June 30, 2020. To be eligible for the free kayak give-away, individuals must sign-in and participate in at least one of the Be River Proud kayaking events.
To register for the October 5 Be River Proud kayaking event, to see the full list of upcoming kayaking events, or to learn more about the River Authority’s paddling trails, please visit the River Authority’s new website that also features interactive content like a virtual tour, videos, and quizzes at sara-tx.org.
