Riding the Current: An Interview with River Recreation Pioneer, Maya Diabate

Maya Diabate is the founder and CEO of "Lone Star Paddle & Drift," a thriving outdoor recreation business based on the Guadalupe River near Victoria, Texas. A former competitive kayaker and digital marketing strategist, she has uniquely combined her passion for water sports with savvy business acumen, turning a fleet of kayaks and a deep love for nature into a model for sustainable, family-friendly adventure tourism.

Host: Maya, thank you for joining us. Your business has become a staple for locals and tourists seeking adventure on the Guadalupe. What was the initial spark? Was it always about building a business, or was it more about the lifestyle?

Maya Diabate: (Laughs) Definitely the lifestyle first. The business was almost an accident. I spent my youth on these rivers—first in a kayak for sport, then just for peace. After a stint in the corporate digital world, I felt disconnected. I bought a few extra kayaks, started renting them to friends of friends, and saw a real need. People craved accessible, unplugged outdoor experiences. Texas has this incredible, often underappreciated, network of rivers. The spark was realizing I could build a bridge between that natural resource and people's desire for genuine recreation.

Host: Your background in digital strategy is fascinating. I understand you've applied some unconventional online tactics, even related to "expired domains" and "clean history" websites with "high backlinks." How does that tech-centric approach fit with a business that's all about getting people offline and onto the water?

Maya Diabate: It's the essential paradox of modern outdoor business! To get people into nature, you first have to meet them where they are: online. Early on, I identified that many people search for things like "Guadalupe River kayaking" or "family-friendly outdoor activities near San Antonio." I used my background to acquire a few expired domain names that had established authority and clean backlink profiles in the recreation and Texas tourism space. This gave "Lone Star Paddle & Drift" an immediate SEO boost. It’s a foundational digital asset—like securing a prime physical location on the riverbank. It ensures that when someone dreams of an adventure, they find a trustworthy, local business, not just a faceless rental aggregator.

Host: That's a shrewd blend of worlds. Beyond the digital, what's your philosophy for the on-the-water experience itself? The tags "family-friendly" and "adventure" can sometimes seem at odds.

Maya Diabate: They don't have to be. Adventure isn't just white-water rapids; it's the adventure of discovery. For a family with young kids, adventure is spotting a heron, navigating a gentle bend, having a picnic on a sandbar. We curate trips for different skill levels and mindsets. Our most popular route is a gentle, scenic float perfect for grandparents and toddlers alike. The adventure is in the connection—to nature, to each other. We provide the safe, reliable equipment and clear guidance; the river provides the magic. It’s about lowering barriers to entry so that everyone can experience the therapeutic quality of moving water.

Host: Looking at the broader landscape, what are the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the river recreation and rental service industry today?

Maya Diabate: The challenge is twofold: environmental stewardship and overcrowding. As these activities grow in popularity, we have a sacred duty to protect the rivers. We run a "Pack It In, Pack It Out" policy and educate every customer on river ecology. The opportunity lies in sustainable scaling. It's not about putting more plastic kayaks on the water. It's about creating deeper, more educational experiences—partnering with local naturalists, offering moonlit floats, highlighting local history. The future isn't in volume; it's in value. The other huge opportunity is for other entrepreneurs in small towns across the USA. This model—hyper-local, experience-focused, digitally smart—is replicable anywhere there's a beautiful body of water and a community to serve.

Host: Finally, Maya, a prediction. Where do you see the trend for nature-based, family-friendly tourism heading in the next five years?

Maya Diabate: I see a powerful convergence. People are seeking authenticity and restoration more than ever. The trend will move further away from passive tourism toward active, skill-building recreation. We'll see more demand for multi-day river camping trips, for instance. Technology will enhance, not detract, through better safety gear, accessible booking platforms, and even apps that identify flora and fauna without disrupting the experience. But the core will remain timeless: the human need to be near water, to feel the sun and the paddle in your hands, to share a simple, unscripted day with loved ones. My prediction is that the businesses that thrive will be those that understand they're not just renting equipment; they're curating memories and fostering a new generation of nature stewards. The river, if we listen to it, teaches us about flow—and that's the best business lesson of all.

Host: Maya Diabate, thank you for sharing your current with us today.

Maya Diabate: Thank you. Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I need to go check on the river. The water's calling.