Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacy Thigpen.
Hi Stacy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was working for my partner managing his family’s river business at a local lakeside hotel in New Braunfels, TX. Here i discovered paddle boarding and a rekindled love for the water. We had noticed the clear kayaks in another nearby city and we went to see what all the hubbub was about. After a paddle with them we went to have a cold beer and discuss. Before we even took the first sip, we looked at each other and said we’re crazy if we don’t do this. This is how Paddle TX started. 5 Crystal kayaks and 10 paddle boards. Now in our 5th year, we have 27 SUP, 18 kayaks and 600 tubes. We also now manage Landa Park Mini Golf and Landa Park Paddle Boats in Landa Park.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has been fun and a growing experience both personally and in business. Scaling up when we got a curve ball in 2023 was fun. Our landlord let us know late in the game things were changing and we had to act fast. Taking on the mini golf and paddle boats in Landa Park was also a new look for us, yet we have been super excited and pleased with our efforts. The biggest challenge going forward is keeping good people on the team. Advice…Keep things as malleable as you can, go with the flow, and allow things to happen.
As you know, we’re big fans of Paddle TX (Paddle Texas). For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Paddle TX is full service outdoor and water recreation company. We are locally owned by a Texas Aggie, TX St Bobcat, and a Texas Tech Red Raider. We live here, we love our community and do our best to both showcase and represent New Braunfels with pride.
We are known for our lighted, night time crystal kayak trips on the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers. We are also know for our Paddle Board and Kayak Rentals , with great routes to paddle on both the Guadalupe and Comal Rivers. We have taught both Paddle Board and Kayak lessons to folks from all over. Our SUPs and Pups classes and paddle board yoga with Laurel Grace Yoga studio are very popular as well. Last but not least are the guided sup/kayak adventures we host with longer paddles that take most of the day. These are guided. We also manage and operate Landa Park Mini Golf and Landa Park Paddle Boats. We have inproved the landscaping and made both locations available year round. Paddle Boats are impacted by water levels and we have been blessed with recent rains.
The local short term rental owners and companies love our VIP River experiences for their guests.
We also service the local hotels with VIP River Experiences. These include shuttle service so guests can focus on fun and leave the rest to us.
We are proud of our reputation for being one of the best outfitters. We use the best equipment available like HYDRUS paddle boards and JACKSON kayaks and our own tubes built by ATX.
Safety is our priority, then UNLIMITED FUN can be had.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Paddle Boarding is growing at an incredible pace. I have used almost all water/river toys out there and Paddle Boarding will change your life. It’s an incredible work out that you don’t know you are doing. The connection to nature on a SUP is different than a kayak or tube. You have the ability to go up stream or down stream on rivers, lakes are another option, or the bays or the Gulf.
Water access points will be harder to find.
Board technology continues to grow.
I see a trend of people finding the need to connect to nature and water.
Pricing:
- Tubes. $.25.00 includes shuttle
- Tubes, VIP Door to Door Shuttle $30 to 35
- Paddle Boards $50.00 for up to 3 hrs
- Kayaks $50.00 for up to 3 hours
- Night Crystal Kayaks. $60.00 per person
Contact Info:
- Website: https://PaddleTX.fun
- Instagram: https://Www.instagram.com/paddletx22
- Facebook: https://Www.facebook.com/share/1DErJnKA3t/
- LinkedIn: https://Www.linkedin.com/in/stacy-a-thigpen
