Tubing's big weekend on Comal, Guadalupe unhindered by storms, fees

Memorial Day weekend along River Road and the Guadalupe River in New Braunfels can only mean one thing. Well, three things. People, inner tubes, and cold beverages.



Here is a look at tubers on the Guadalupe Saturday, May 28, 2016. less Memorial Day weekend along River Road and the Guadalupe River in New Braunfels can only mean one thing. Well, three things. People, inner tubes, and cold beverages.



Here is a look at tubers on the Guadalupe ... more Photo: By Kody Melton, For MySA.com Photo: By Kody Melton, For MySA.com Image 1 of / 99 Caption Close Tubing's big weekend on Comal, Guadalupe unhindered by storms, fees 1 / 99 Back to Gallery

Throngs of tubers took to the Comal and Guadalupe rivers for Memorial Day weekend, continuing a Central Texas tradition of fun and relaxation.

Though the long weekend typically marks the unofficial start of summer, and tubing season on the rivers, recent developments looked to put a damper on the activities.

Thunderstorms temporarily shut down the Comal early Sunday morning, as the New Braunfels Police Department reported water flowing over the Tube Chute Dam and running at 4,500 cubic feet per second.

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Also, Comal County's new $2.00 river management fee for non-residents who access the Comal through city parks figured to take a bite out of visitor's wallets.

Still, these developments didn't stem the tide of tubers. Both rivers saw thousands of visitors over the last two days, armed with sunblock, plenty of beer and a cascade of colorful tubes.

Tubers Darryl Harris, 42, and Janine Webster, 36, of Austin, make the trek down I-35 to the Comal each summer.

"We were worried when we heard about the rain last night, but it still looks beautiful out here," said Harris. "This is why you live in Texas, right here."

Webster said the fee wasn't a deterrent.

"It's two bucks," she said. "You can spend more than that on a breakfast taco. And if it helps them keep the river clean, it shouldn't be a big deal for anyone."

As of midday Sunday, the Comal and Guadalupe rivers were flowing at 355 and 395 cubic feet per second, respectively, according to Comal County records.

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Under the Faust Street bridge, Rebecca and John Allen of San Antonio were corralling their four kids, like ducks in a row.

"This is our first time on the water with them," said Rebecca struggling to keep her two elementary-aged sons from paddling ahead of the group. "We drive all the way out here to spend some time together ... as a family, and all these two want to do is make a break for it."

John, threading a rope through each of the tubes, helped keep the family floating together, much to the exasperation of his older daughter and son.

"Now, we're on vacation," he said, laying back, hat over his head.