Kayaking latest way to enjoy Woodlands amenities

There are many ways to get from Point A to Point B in The Woodlands: hiking or biking along the hundreds of miles of pathways, taking a Waterway Taxi along The Woodlands Waterway, hopping aboard a trolley in Town Center, enjoying the occasional horse-drawn carriage in Market Street, or simply driving a car. In the past two years, kayaking along Waterway has been an increasingly popular addition to that list.

The Waterway kayaking operation is hosted at the Riva Row Boat house, located at 2101 Riva Row, on the south side of the Waterway across from The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. The Riva Row Boat House opened in April 2009 and since then, has grown in popularity since its opening.

Chris Nunes, director of parks and recreation for The Woodlands Township, said kayaking trips at Riva Row have increased from about 4,800 in its first year to more than 7,000 in 2011. So far in 2012, there have been 6,083 trips.

Nunes said since the Boat House's opening, both residents and visitors to The Woodlands have become increasingly aware of its presence despite its location.

"It's taken a while for people to know we're here," he said. "We're in a tough location."

Kayakers pay for their trip by the hour and can either set off in a one or two-person boat after a brief safety and instructional training. The trip begins at the boat and kayakers make their way east along the Waterway past the The Boardwalk apartments out to Lake Woodlands. Nunes said that trip takes about 45 minutes to an hour, but kayakers often make their way to Southshore Park or The Cove neighborhood on the eastern edge of the lake.

The Riva Row Boat House has a fleet of 45 kayaks. When the program initially began, 30 of the kayaks were donated by the outdoor sporting store Orvis. Since that time, the township, which funds the boat house under the Parks and Recreation Department, has replaced aging and worn boats and equipment.

Kayaking along the Waterway has become a popular activity not only for township residents, but also for visitors to The Woodlands. Nunes said about 60 percent of the Riva Row Boat House customers hail from outside the township, with a large percentage of those visiting from foreign countries.

"Really, that was part of the goal," he said.

Riva Row Boat House, 2101 Riva Row, The Woodlands, 281-210-3965

Through Sept. 3: 9 a.m.–7 p.m.

Sept. 4–Dec. 31: 9 a.m.–sunset