Looking for something to do in this wretched city other than bars packed with the same stuffy crowd? Perhaps a breath of fresh air and a shot of river water is what you need.
Big River Outfitters is a for profit business with non-profit interest giving back 10% to the community. What is unique about them is they are perusing traditional community objectives by exposing the community to its natural resources explains Eric Ellman, President of Big River Outfitters. This is done by holding community kayak races in our very own Rio Grande with the sponsorship of Academy Sports + Outdoors.
Big River Outfitters conduct classes at Casa Blanca State Park as well as Camp Huisache (near the gun range). Big River Outfitters is also involved in children’s programs such as “Aquavita Mission”, The Boy Scouts Extreme Adventure and The Girl Scouts Kayak Badge amongst others. For the public, Big River Outfitters conducts a “Kayak 101” class. The company is also in the works of getting a grant from the Rivers System Institute Texas State to survey the land on both sides of the border. They will also be studying the watershed ecology of the Rio Grande and well as bring awareness of the importance of the river.
Big River Outfitters reasoning behind their objectives is simple. According to Ellman, “People aren’t going to protect what they don’t understand.” Ellman wants to use the river to illustrate its importance rather than its use as a headline.
Big River Outfitters operate Wednesday – Sunday from morning to evening (depending on day light saving time). Rates start at $28.00 per person as well as a discounted rate for groups of twenty or larger. Look for Big River Outfitters at http://www.BigRiverOutfitters.orgor give them a call at 956.209.1879.
Michael Martinez may be reached at michaelmartinez@dusty.tamiu.edu
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