By: Laura Prissy Scott
New to downtown Natchitoches and the Cane River, is Cane River Paddle & Pedal Sports–a business that will surely take water sports in this area to new levels of outdoor adventure and excitement.
Open and ready for business, owners, Gerry and Julia Kiefer, were thinking outside the box when they jumped on an opportunity to bring SUPs (Stand up paddleboards), kayaking, and cycling to our City.
“It’s the most popular outdoor recreational activities being pursued in America today! We want the community, as well as tourists, to be able to experience the beauty and tranquility of Cane River,” explains Julia Kiefer.
The Kiefers say the timing is perfect for integrating Cane River Paddle & Pedal Sports especially with the City’s re-development plan on the riverfront and the development of hiking/biking trails near the NSU Recreational Complex.
The store will provide a rental fleet of stable boats and boards that are easy to operate and have good performance and customers will have access to higher performance demo models for their personal evaluation including; the Hobie Mirage Eclipse pedalboard and the Hobie Mirage pedal kayak.
The rental location is located on the riverbank downtown dock with the store location at 780 Front Street, Suite 104, known as the St. Denis Place, next door to the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Historical Museum.
Gerry Kiefer says, “We are in the process of ordering Hybrid and off-road bicycles that will support and promote the new bike trails being constructed in Natchitoches. Biking enthusiasts will have access to road bikes for touring the plantations along the river and touring/cruiser bikes for folks wanting to cruise the historic district.”
Julia, a 1978 transplant from Texas, carries a love of Natchitoches—its beauty and its people—in her heart and says, “Our passion for Natchitoches is the inspiration for bringing an outdoor recreation opportunity to our town.”
On a special note, the Kiefers would like to acknowledge Joan Willis for introducing them to the world of SUPs and serving as an inspiration for bringing their dream business to Natchitoches.
Promoting fun, entertainment, recreation, and fitness, to this quaint National Historic District and enchanting Cane River will add another dimension to the Natchitoches Tourist experience and for the local community.
Cane River Paddle & Pedal Sports
780 Front Street, Ste. 104
Natchitoches, LA
(318) 527-0066
caneriverpaddlepedal@yahoo.com
Well there ya go glad someone brings some HEALTHY RECREATION.
Congrats and Good Luck!
So glad someone finally opened a SUP shop in our Region. Look forward to visiting soon to see what you have and again paddling on the Cane in Natchitoches.