Not Everything in Sewell is Closed

By Mikayla Anding
Community Outreach Coordinator

Many students make use of our San Marcos river by swimming, paddle boarding and many other water activities. Though Sewell Park remains closed, the campus Outdoor Center, located just next to the park, is still open and available for your outdoor and river needs! I had the chance to interview one of the Outdoor Center’s employees, Syndey Walker, to learn more about what the center offers and any new activities.

One of the most exciting things I heard from Walker was that the center has begun hosting glow-in-the-dark paddle boarding on Friday nights! They have LED glow paddles available every Friday from 8-10 pm. The rental is two hours for only $15 and includes a lit-up paddleboard, a life jacket, paddle, and a headlamp.

Each week there are only twelve spots and students can either reserve them or show up on a Friday at the Outdoor Center, first come first serve. “We tested it out and it’s honestly such a cool way to experience the river differently,” Walker exclaimed. “It has a fun vibe to hang out with friends and meet new people!”

As many people have appreciated more outdoor activities due to the pandemic, the Outdoor Center has still been able to let students rent watercraft: kayaks, paddleboards, and canoes, and camping gear: tents, sleeping bags, stoves, etc.

Did not know they rented out camping gear? Me either! Turns out, students can bring these resources anywhere, not just to the university camp. Walker has only worked for the Outdoor Center during the pandemic and says “Honestly, it’s been really sweet to see people getting outdoors and recreating even during the pandemic and while the park is closed.”

“Working as an attendant puts me in a cool position to connect people to the multiple different forms of recreation right in our backyard, our beautiful river,” she said. With the outdoors currently being one of the safest ways to have fun with others, now is the best time to enjoy the Outdoor Center’s many assets.

Want to rent something from the Outdoor Center? You can either call ahead to reserve gear, or you can drop in and grab what is available. Walker says they rarely turn people away due to their abundance of watercraft.

Featured Image by Campus Recreation