START HERE! an Overview to Floating

So you're new to Texas or looking to get out of the house and you want to go float?

Since Amatubers conception I have talked to many people and the main questions have to be what should I expect and were do we go?

Well the first question is easy... Expect to relax and have some fun! Thousands of people each year enjoy a river floating experience, so there is nothing to be afraid of.

We all know about the heat in Texas, and a good way to beat it is in the cool relaxing waters of the river with a cold beer in hand. Of course, beer is the traditional drink of choice for most toobers, but there's nothing wrong with a root beer either. Please make sure you bring some water too, even if you're in the water you can still get very dehydrated and you'll be feeling it tomorrow!

What to expect?

The river flow and obstacles change frequently with even small rainfall amounts, and the crowd changes on a daily bases so each trip will be a new exciting experience. Many just sit and go with the flow, but in some areas the flow stops and the wind will send you back up river, so some occasional light paddling is necessary. The river can become a bit rowdy from time to time especially on the Guadalupe "the party river" with those drunken college kids. So, you'll never know what to expect. Plan your tips accordingly. Others even bring snorkels, and treasure hunt the river bottoms looking for things you probably dropped ... Our last trip out I heard of one guy whom dropped his car keys, and needed a friend to drive out from Houston, to bring him another set! Which brings me to another good point. LEAVE IT AT HOME! Whatever you don't need leave at home or if not valuable, at least put it in your car. You will never need all your credit cars on the river ... pack a zip lock bag with your license, a credit card, and a small amount of cash. You smokers will need the zip lock for your cigs and a lighter. And don't forget to be friendly ... you'll meet some very interesting people, on the river ... and it seems no subject isn't worth discussion.

OK, which river should you go to?

Well there are 4 main rivers Texas that people float, the Guadalupe, for the party, the Comal, (aka the shortest little river in Texas) for the tube shoot, the Frio, (Spanish for COLD) but a great little river secluded in West Texas, and San Marcos, a great little slow moving "drinking" river close to Houston, for families to enjoy, however keep your "butt up" there are some underwater hazzards from time to time.

At any of these rivers, you can join up with a local outfitter, and they will get you setup, or plan your own trip with your gear, and pickup truck, securing your own access points, and pickup location, in which case you would be considered an ol' river rat this is probably the easiest to do on the San Marcos in that there are less business's controlling river access. But as a beginner, we recommend finding an outfitter. There are many to choose from so be as picky as you like.

In other sections we'll describe what you need to bring and how to get on the river so reading and check it out! You can always email us additional questions you may have, or check out or River Forum.