Tubing with a 6 year old- Guadalupe or Comal?

Question

I'm going to San Antonio/New Braunfels this weekend and I want to go tubing. I don't mind a little rough waters, but I'd like a mix of smooth and rough, nothing that will topple us over though. I am not concerned too much about the drunk young people, but rather the river and whether or not the guadalupe is too rough for a 6 yr old. Isn't there an area that we can stay within, something about a HorseShoe, and then I hear there's a tube chute shortly after that, is that too rough? I don't wanna feel like I'm fighting for my life or anything! Something like the lazy river at schlitterbahn, where it's mixed with some slightly rough, some smooth, some waves, would be good. I just don't wanna get flipped and freak out...LOL.. anyway if anyone can give me some good detailed info that would be cool. Thanks.

Answer 1

It isn't that the river is too rough, the crowds are too adult. Do you really want to expose your little one to a bunch of drunken, tattooed 20-something white trash swilling beer and blaring rap music?

Answer 2

we went tubing 3 wks ago and the shop we rented the tubes from asked if everyone was age 8 or older.. so i guess it depends what areas you are palnning to float that they have age restrictions.. that area i think would be a bit rough for a 6yr old, my husband flipped on the first rapids! lol we got on the 4hr float too....

we are going this weekend too!!! hopefully it doesnt rain too bad.... see ya there!!!

Answer 3

There is no area which is completely safe for a 6 year old or even an adult without very good aquatic skills on the rivers if you hit the wrong part of one of the small drop offs or some rapids.  

I have taken many people tubing, and have taken my children, and even though we have usually tied all the tubes together, on occasion a tube may come loose on a strong rapid or a drop off area.

Also, in the Horseshoe, on one particular drop off, if the water is moving at a fast speed out of the Dam, the turbulence can be high enough to pull a person under, even though you can stand easily in the water.  On one occasion, I had a 28 year old who got tossed off her tube on the drop off and was caught in the undertow of the turbulence, and we had to pull her out, as she could not get out on her own.  This despite the fact that the water was less than waist deep. The regulations require that your child wear a life preserver.  If they don't you will be fined, and may be cited for child neglect or endangerment.

Answer 4

I went tubing this last weekend and we went on the horeshoe,(Guadalupe River)  it was great. I took my 10 and 11 yr olds and there was no problem. There were kids younger than them out there. It is mostly smooth, there were a couple of rapids but nothing that would flip you over. It wasn't deep at all. Very very cold water, and I would definetely make sure a 6 yr old had on a life jacket. It was $14 a person and it took about an 1 1/2 hrs. but you can go on it as many times as you like. We had lots of fun. Good Luck

Answer 5

Don't go on the Comal, the big tube chute is pretty rough, it can flip you easily, and often separates groups, and people are all jammed up just down river trying to get their groups back together, it could be scary for a six year old.  If you float the Guadalupe in town, leaving from Gruene, there is only one place the could be tricky, it's at the small dam at the Common St. Bridge, near Cypress Bend Park.  It is very shallow there, but can and often does flip people.  But all you have to do is just stand up, it's not that bad.  I have never floated at the Horseshoe, so you might take the advice of the previous answerer.  Have fun.

Answer 6

Can she swim?  If not, you better put the child in a life jacket or not put them in the water at all.