We (wife, 2 daughters) were in New Braunfels visiting the Schlitterbahn waterpark last week. We had never been tubing and decided to give it a try on our last vacation day. Found Whitewater Sports on the internet and saw the 2 for 1 coupon if arrived before 10am. Great deal it seemed. Beware!!\r
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We arrived at 9:15am, pulled in to their lot and parked next to 2 other families who were unloading their cars and applying sunscreen. About a dozen staff were milling about including a worker in a lawn chair as you first enter. She waved hello. I walked up to the counter, presented my coupon, credit card and handed them my car keys, which they require as a deposit. \r
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2 workers loaded up our tubes, carried our cooler from the car and told us to get in the small bus. Rather than wait for the other 2 families who were also there and were paying, he took off immediately and drove us to the far side of the horseshoe loop and helped us get set up. He answered our questions as we were new to this experience. I was really impressed with the quick and responsive service, I tipped the guy and we started our float. Current was very fast and we finished the ""long float"" in 2 hours. I had to call them from the 4th bridge takeout point but they came in about 10 minutes. \r
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When we got back to the lot, our car was gone as were the other 2 families cars and there were dozens of other tubers in line. It was very chaotic. When I finally retrieved my car keys from a worker, I was told that my car had been towed!! I was aghast-how could that be?\r
I was told by the very rude and aggressive mgr that I had been told I could not park in that location. All a lie of course, I'm not so stupid to leave my car in a spot where I am told it is not permitted. \r
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The other 2 families who were just behind us arrived and they told us after our bus left for the river, they were told to move their cars to another area. How convenient that I was quickly rushed off to the river before that tidbit was announced. I kept asking the mgr since she had my keys, why didnt she just pull my car to the area that they wanted? Answer-she didnt want to be accused of stealing my property. How do I get my car back? Answer-call the number posted on a sign 50 yards away on a fence. I did and was told by the towing company owner that the whitewater mgr (he used her first name-very suspicous) had specifically warned me not to park in that area etc etc etc. None of which is true of course. Here's the beauty-for 200 dollars I could get my car back today! After a brief conversation, he agreed that because there was a conflict in our stories, he would give me my car back for only 150 bucks!! I was helpless and basically had to pay up. The impound lot was about 3 miles away but the whitewater mgr would not have any of her dozen or more employees drive me over there. I had to wait an hour for the tow truck to finish a job and come pick me up. I paid, returned and picked up my family and left New Braunfels Whitewater out 200 bucks after rafting, tips and a tow job. \r
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The mgr of this establishmentwas very rude, uncooperative, seemed to enjoy my predicament and I can only conclude that the towing of my car was potentially a deliberate scam. While we enjoyed the tubing, I advise others to avoid this outfitter. There are many other options.
Pros: 2 for 1 coupons before 10am
Cons: rude, possible scam
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