Last Update: 5/10 10:43 am
ANZALDUAS PARK - The Rio Grande is often looked at as the gateway for illegal activity. Border Patrol agents make daily busts along the waterway. It's a popular route for drugs and human smuggling.
But not everyone thinks it's dangerous.
"I don't know. It's peaceful on the river. I love it," said Patti Carothers, a tourist.
Carothers said she was reluctant to get into the Rio Grande, at first.
"I'd say I had a lot of concerns and we talked a lot about the safety on the river. We've been alert all day, but we haven't seen anything to make us scared," Carothers told us.
Even though Border Patrol agents say they are mandated to wear regular bulletproof and heavy-duty amour while patrolling the waterway, kayakers with Los Caminos del Rio said they aren't scared.
"Is there violence? Yes, but you just have to know where you're at. There's a lot of rivers that are dangerous. As long as you make sure you're safe. When we come down here, we look and make sure what's going on. We're aware of our surroundings," explained Frank Nuno, a kayaking expert.
The Los Caminos del Rio promote area history along the river.
"The river is the whole reason why we're here. The river is why the region was founded," said Eric Ellman, the executive director.
Both Ellman and Nuno told us they haven't had a threat of violence during their kayaking tours. The men say they want to change the perception. Their theory is the way to stop the illegal activity is to bring in more legal activity, like kayaking.
"We coordinate more closely than ever with the police and officials who protect the border," said Elleman. "We're extra careful. We're on our toes. The first sign of anything, we'll be out of here."
In June, the group will offer free training to anyone interested in learning how to kayak. The lessons are paid for through a grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Carothers said she was reluctant to get into the Rio Grande, at first.
"I'd say I had a lot of concerns and we talked a lot about the safety on the river. We've been alert all day, but we haven't seen anything to make us scared," Carothers told us.
Even though Border Patrol agents say they are mandated to wear regular bulletproof and heavy-duty amour while patrolling the waterway, kayakers with Los Caminos del Rio said they aren't scared.
"Is there violence? Yes, but you just have to know where you're at. There's a lot of rivers that are dangerous. As long as you make sure you're safe. When we come down here, we look and make sure what's going on. We're aware of our surroundings," explained Frank Nuno, a kayaking expert.
The Los Caminos del Rio promote area history along the river.
"The river is the whole reason why we're here. The river is why the region was founded," said Eric Ellman, the executive director.
Both Ellman and Nuno told us they haven't had a threat of violence during their kayaking tours. The men say they want to change the perception. Their theory is the way to stop the illegal activity is to bring in more legal activity, like kayaking.
"We coordinate more closely than ever with the police and officials who protect the border," said Elleman. "We're extra careful. We're on our toes. The first sign of anything, we'll be out of here."
In June, the group will offer free training to anyone interested in learning how to kayak. The lessons are paid for through a grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
We thought they were interviewing us for the Los Caminos program that I was brought down there for. I was helping train their current and new river guides. I chuckled when I saw I was called a "tourist" (technically, I was!) and one of my students was called the kayak expert. Anyway, they have a great place to paddle and I'll post a video of the class II rapids.
