Rico Torres

From a young age, Rico grew up outdoors. While in the Boy Scouts, he developed a love for nature and the outdoors, and that love never faded.

In 2009, after the announcement of the Buffalo Bayou Paddling trail, Rico realized he could help transform Houston. He partnered and worked with Rick Torres, and together, in February of 2010, they formed the Bayou Shuttle Service which later became Bayou City Adventures. Rico's vision was to get people off the couch and into nature, as well as to clean up Houston, by putting people within an arm's reach of the actual trash they throw out. 

Before the Bayou Shuttle Service, only a handful of people would paddle down the Buffalo Bayou each year. With Rico's determination to get the word out, he has now transported thousands of happy kayakers on the Buffalo Bayou. Kayaking in Houston is now more popular than ever thanks to Rico and his team. The Buffalo Bayou Regatta, an annual paddling race on Buffalo Bayou, drastically increased in participants with the new awareness of kayaking in Houston. Many of the local retailers such as REI, Academy, Gander Mountain, and Austin Canoe and Kayak have reported greater sales in kayaks as well as rentals.

In 2011 Rico Torres was invited to be a part of the Bayou Preservation Association's Paddle Trails committee. There, Rico worked with a great group of conservationists to help preserve not just Buffalo Bayou, but all the watersheds around Houston.

In 2012 Rico Torres was named the Chairman of the Bayou Preservation Association's Paddle Trails Committee and the Bayou Adventure Race Committee.

In 2014 Rico Torres was named the race director for the Cypress Creek Regatta put on by the Bayou Preservation Association. Working with the Bayou Preservation Association, Rico Torres is now able to reach more individuals and do more in terms of conservation and education.

When Rico is not on the paddle trail or behind the scenes working to improve the watersheds, you can find him downtown at Discovery Green Park. He has introduced thousands of children and adults to the sport of Kayaking with kayak rides and Free kayak classes.

Houston is a much better place thanks to Rico Torres. We are very happy to call him one of our own. 

- Fans of Rico Torres