Radford on the River is open for business in Bisset Park
Heather Bell
RADFORD – There’s nothing quite like a day floating down the New River for summer fun, and a new outfitter in Bisset Park is offering the watercraft to do it.
Radford on the River, owned and operated by Paul Pallante, is open for business in Bisset Park’s west side (Shelter three) with a variety of tubes and kayaks for rental, and a shuttle bus to bring customers back and forth. Tubes and kayaks are offered for a daily rental fee, meaning customers can float as many times as they want throughout the day.
In a recent interview at the Radford on the River site, Pallante said he combined his love of river recreation with his desire to fill what he saw as a void in Radford’s quality of life offerings in creating the new venture.
“We’re called the New River City and there were not a lot of opportunities to utlilize the river for recreation and enjoyment in an easy, approachable way,” he said. “I saw a void. The main thing I want to do is make river recreation fun and easy for the public.”
Pallante said offering tubes and kayaks is not only a good quality of life outlet for people who live in Radford, but also makes the city a more likely place for visitors to come, adding another activity for people to do on a visit to the city and the New River Valley as a whole.
“We’ve already had customers stop by from all over the place,” he said. “This weekend alone there were folks from San Francisco, Charlotte, Stuart, Mount Airy, Pulaski County, Christiansburg, Blacksburg and more. It just goes to show that the New River is a signature tourism draw for Radford when getting on the water is easy and fun.”
Couper Doyle, 16, works at Radford on the River and said he thinks it is the perfect summer job.
“I like this a lot better than working a minimum wage job inside,” he said. ‘It’s outside, it’s enjoyable and fun, and I get to work for someone I know.”
Radford on the River offers single, double, and four-person tubes, including with coolers. Tubes can be harnessed together to keep groups together, and even come with cellphone protectors so you can snap photos while tubing. Single and double kayaks are also available for rent, as are canoes. Kayakers can choose to embark on their float at either the Sportsman (near Exit 105) or at Riverview Park off West Main Street. Tubers generally start at Shelter Three in Bisset Park and end at Dudley’s Landing. There are shuttle buses to ferry customers from Dudley’s Landing back to the starting point, and customers rent the tube or kayak for the day, so multiple floats can be made for the day. The hours are operation are Friday – Sunday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Wednesday and Thursday by appointment. Pricing and more details can be found at their website, radfordontheriver.com. Customers can book and pay on-line, and can also pay on-site with cash or card.
So far, the experience is getting rave reviews.
Bree Guillot, Jesse Guillot, Gwendolyn Stover were Pallante’s very first customers.
“They were our very first customers, hailing from New Orleans originally, they fell in love with this area after they moved here in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina,” he said. “They’ve now come down two weekends in a row, and Bree left this recommendation on our Facebook page: ‘The people here are so helpful and friendly! They made our experience great! We recommend the deluxe tubes!’”
Pallante said he hopes his new venture will be something people will enjoy.
“There is no better way to enjoy the outdoors than a day on the river,” he said. ‘You get to enjoy the water, soak in the rays, and enjoy time with friends or family. What could be better?”
