As a Girl Scout, Stacey Banta developed a love for paddling in a canoealong the Pecos River and in Big Bend National Park. Later, when theBoy Scouts offered a co–ed program, she joined to participate in the more intenseoutdoor activities, which introduced her to kayaking.
Today, Banta has turned her love of recreational water sports into a fullfledgedbusiness, by way of Texas Paddlesports, a kayak and fly–fishing retailer,located at 18720 Stone Oak Parkway.
“Kayak fishing is a big thing now. A majority of people who buymy canoes and kayaks go down to the coast and fish in the baysand flats,” Banta says. “There are areas now where they don’t allowboats because the propellers kill sea grass. So you can get into lowareas and sneak up on birds even if you’re not fishing, just to seethe wildlife.”
Kayaks cost about $1,000, and canoes range from $1,200 to$1,500.
“Canoes can be packed like a truck. You throw everything in it,and they have a higher weight capacity,”Banta explains. “Kayaks arelighter and smaller.”One of the more popularbrands of kayaks that Texas Paddlesportscarries is WildernessSystems.
“The sit–on–top makes it easierto get in and out,” she says. “Whenyou’re floating in three inches ofwater, you can get out and pushyour kayak through. You can standon it, fish and side cast. They’re durableand easily reparable.”
Phil Mason, owner of an independentclaims adjusting companyin Boerne, bought his first canoewhen Texas Paddlesports openedin March. A few weeks later, hischildren purchased a kayak for himfor his 60th birthday.
“Because of their customer service,knowledge of their productsand reasonable prices, Texas Paddlesportsis my favorite outdoorsports store,” Mason says. “They are always friendly, upbeat andnever push a sale. The Bantas and their staff were like old friendsthe first time I walked into the store.”
Mason recently bought a pink kayak for his daughter, an elementaryschool teacher. “Kayaking is fun, healthy and somethingsomeone on a tight budget can do every weekend,” he says.In addition to canoes and kayaks, Texas Paddlesports offers flyrods, custom fly rods, apparel, sunglasses, water shoes, hats, quickdryclothes, flyers, dry bags and fishing line.
Each month, Banta hosts a 3–hour day trip either to the GuadalupeRiver or another nearby lake to go kayaking. “During Januaryand February, the water is higher, and you can wear your wet suit orfleece clothing to keep from getting cold,” she says.
Texas Paddlesports does demos once a month, when Bantatakes a trailer of canoes and kayaks to a river or lake, so that peoplecan test the different styles of boats to see which one the like best.Banta also offers instructional courses related to canoeing andkayaking.
“Some people don’t know how topaddle or sit in a boat,” she says. “Otherswant to know how to get back ona boat if you’re deep in water, and youcapsize.”
Perry Sullivan recently took abouteight friends to one of the demo presentationsat Paradise Canyon. Aftertrying out some of the models, hesettled on a Wilderness Systems Ride135.
“Stacey is really good about workingwith you because she likes to getpeople on the water,” says the 57–yearoldinstrumentation engineer. “Shealso takes the time to help newbieson paddling and steering, and she willmake sure you are fitted with the properequipment.”
Since opening in March, Banta’sbusiness has been steadily increasing,as even the gas hikes at the pumps arehaving a trickle–down effect on boatowners, she says.
“I’m noticing that more boat ownersare parking their boats and buying kayaks. One day’s worth ofgas pays for a kayak,” she says.
A 1985 Churchill graduate, Banta, who owns the store with herhusband, Kenneth, worked at the downtown Joske’s for 16 yearsperforming various duties in different departments. Later, shemanaged Hill Country Outfitters around 1999 and then worked atother retail businesses until opening Texas Paddlesports this year.
