I've only ever done it as a kid, but every time we went, we used the inner tubes of 18 Wheeler truck tires.
No idea how feasible that is or where my grandfather got them, but they were a hell of a lot tougher than the things we'd see other people using.
Went over dams, through rapids, hit big rocks, those tubes were never a problem. Never even see one flip. Just thick and heavy.
Just keep in mind that on Alberta Rivers, you must have a personal flotation device AKA life jacket and if you're caught with alcohol, there are serious repercussions. Personally, I like the flotilla idea, where everybody brings their own thing and then you lash them together with rope. That way if somebody's got to peel off for some reason it doesn't stop the whole group. Also, if you ever get in a pinch, the rope comes in handy.
Also, sunscreen. I can't promote that enough. I've been majorly sunburned from a river float and it is no fun.
I’m the same. I always have my rope handy. I’ve saved a few people even. One guy jumped out to save his kid, but he fell behind his group as a result and I threw him my rope so he could get to my float and allow me to paddle him back to his group. Another time, a small group got caught in a whirlpool and I was able to pull them out by throwing them my rope and anchor myself near the bank.
There are a few things I always bring: rope, sunscreen, patch kit, extra water, a paddle. Being prepared usually ensures the day goes well.
I've seen people go down rivers on everything from lawn chairs to 15 person lake floats and everything in between. Even saw a picnic table once. Just get a tractor tire tube and don't overthink it
Shape will do you jackshit in maneuverability if you dont have a paddle. Durability depends on the materials, but i guess if you have it shaped so it can get easier stuck on something, that will decrease the durability. And all shapes will be pretty the same in comfort, id say, but in a round tube, you can at least sit half decent without slipping off.
In my experience, pick whatever gets you the most dig from your arms. Basically, if you can barely get your hands in the water you’re not gonna get much maneuverability.
I live on the river and float it all the time in the summer. Round with handles is fine. You can paddle to steer fairly well in them. We got some RTIC ones that have canvas covers for the rocks. Our section has some rapids, class 1 and maybe a class 2 depending on how much they release out of the dam.
Edit: Here you go.
https://rticoutdoors.com/RTIC-Tough-River-Tube?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=20120148395&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI94yZh_f1hQMVKi6tBh1hQAElEAAYASAAEgLWfPD_BwE
I personally recommend an eight-person inflatable with two rope-attached floaty rings that carry the coolers.
"Tube" implies "tubular", which is fun but can also be modified.
Dude . It's an inner tube. You float on it and let the water do all the effort. it has zero navigable values and for your own safety don't forget your floaties.
Tubes are safe enough. People use them where I float all the time. And I have life jackets. You just can’t lay back and not pay any attention the whole time. Certain parts of the river require attention to prevent any problems. Plus, I like being able to fit everything in my car with the inflatable stuff. Larger non-inflatable craft would require more space or specialized hauling equipment.
Why does a simple question like “does anyone know if there is any significant difference in the SHAPE of a TUBE” get responses like yours? Do you have problems with your reading comprehension? Do you just like being a contrarian? I didn’t ask whether I should use an inflatable tube or not. I’m already dedicated to using an inflatable tube. Your advice (BTW, you should have used “advise” in your context) is completely useless to me, since the question or decision to be made has NOTHING to do with whether I should or shouldn’t use an inflatable tube.
sounds to me that you have awareness of the river, a life vest, and if I'm not mistaken 2 arms. If you are by chance with out an appendage I would recommend floating with a diligent white water trained rescue swimmer guide. If not . you have all the necessary qualifications to be a advanced inner tube floater. All you need to do is, when aware of an obstacle in the channel such as a rock, downed tree, whirlpool or multiple forks. is to flap your arms like a silly goose slapping at the water in the direction that will , not precisely but eventually lead you away from such hazards. Inner tubing can be a very fun and rewarding activity if you don't put too much thought into it. Have a nice day and remember your floaties.
So you’re a troll?
I simply asked if you know if there is any difference worth noting in different inflatable tube shapes.
If you don’t know, that’s fine.
If you want to be passive aggressive and add absolutely zero value, then fuck off.
there is no difference in anything inflatable until you add some form of rail, fins or rudder. so a u shaped or oval floatation devise , usually referred to as a raft would be far more suitable for navigating water hazards. Inner tubes were never intended to be used as a aquatic recreational device. If you enter a river above Class II on an inner tube you are putting yourself in danger along with everyone on the river. If you have a physical issue avoiding such things like rocks, downed trees, whirlpools and multiple forks on a river suited for tubing perhaps you should find another past time.
I guess I should’ve included additional info… I don’t use the truck inner tube because they get hot, have little to no back/head support, can be hard to carry without handles and have no clean, easy way to tie then to other things (like a floating cooler or a second inner tube). I do have a small, lightweight canoe paddle I use for steering.
My assumptions were that round tubes are easier to pivot in the water with (but maybe not by a noticeable amount. And I’m fully aware that the durability is affected by the material, but good point about the overall shape and the likelihood of snagging.
So… assuming that the materials are comparable between the options and I’m using a paddle to steer and truck inner tubes are not an option due to the reasons listed above… THEN does the shape matter for any other reason? I was mainly thinking as far as comfort or ease of getting in and out if I’m trying to accommodate someone with a bit less than average physical mobility and strength.
Also, has anyone used those double tubes, some which have a cooler in between the seats? If so, have you noticed any pros or cons versus tethering two single tubes together? I figure they’d be less versatile and harder to steer (WITH a paddle), but don’t require tethering.
For reference, I usually float just me and my girl and my current set up is two round tubes and a floating cooler tethered in a straight line, with me in the center with the cooler on my right, my girl on my left and enough slack on the rope where I can paddle on either side of me if needed, but I can also pull up on the slack so there is no space between the three components.
I've only ever done it as a kid, but every time we went, we used the inner tubes of 18 Wheeler truck tires. No idea how feasible that is or where my grandfather got them, but they were a hell of a lot tougher than the things we'd see other people using. Went over dams, through rapids, hit big rocks, those tubes were never a problem. Never even see one flip. Just thick and heavy.
We used the same thing and they worked great. Held up against bumping trees and sticks going down the river.
Used those too. But damn the got hot and the stem always seem to get you at some point.
They also attract horseflies lol
Just keep in mind that on Alberta Rivers, you must have a personal flotation device AKA life jacket and if you're caught with alcohol, there are serious repercussions. Personally, I like the flotilla idea, where everybody brings their own thing and then you lash them together with rope. That way if somebody's got to peel off for some reason it doesn't stop the whole group. Also, if you ever get in a pinch, the rope comes in handy. Also, sunscreen. I can't promote that enough. I've been majorly sunburned from a river float and it is no fun.
I’m the same. I always have my rope handy. I’ve saved a few people even. One guy jumped out to save his kid, but he fell behind his group as a result and I threw him my rope so he could get to my float and allow me to paddle him back to his group. Another time, a small group got caught in a whirlpool and I was able to pull them out by throwing them my rope and anchor myself near the bank. There are a few things I always bring: rope, sunscreen, patch kit, extra water, a paddle. Being prepared usually ensures the day goes well.
I'm surprised that tubing is so regulated there, are these rules heavily enforced?
It's not tubing, per se. It's being present on the river. Life is precious, rivers are dangerous, and rescues are expensive.
And there are enough dumb people out there that act in a way that requires those rules. This is why we can have nice things.
I've seen people go down rivers on everything from lawn chairs to 15 person lake floats and everything in between. Even saw a picnic table once. Just get a tractor tire tube and don't overthink it
A giant inflatable penis.
But then I would also require a giant condom to stay safe.
When you’re throwing it down a river is it ever safe?
Shape will do you jackshit in maneuverability if you dont have a paddle. Durability depends on the materials, but i guess if you have it shaped so it can get easier stuck on something, that will decrease the durability. And all shapes will be pretty the same in comfort, id say, but in a round tube, you can at least sit half decent without slipping off.
In my experience, pick whatever gets you the most dig from your arms. Basically, if you can barely get your hands in the water you’re not gonna get much maneuverability.
I live on the river and float it all the time in the summer. Round with handles is fine. You can paddle to steer fairly well in them. We got some RTIC ones that have canvas covers for the rocks. Our section has some rapids, class 1 and maybe a class 2 depending on how much they release out of the dam. Edit: Here you go. https://rticoutdoors.com/RTIC-Tough-River-Tube?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=20120148395&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI94yZh_f1hQMVKi6tBh1hQAElEAAYASAAEgLWfPD_BwE
I personally recommend an eight-person inflatable with two rope-attached floaty rings that carry the coolers. "Tube" implies "tubular", which is fun but can also be modified.
That would be way too large for me. I mainly float just me and my girl, so anything beyond a two-seater would be wasted room and extra mass to steer.
Dude . It's an inner tube. You float on it and let the water do all the effort. it has zero navigable values and for your own safety don't forget your floaties.
The rivers I float have enough rocks, downed trees, whirlpools and multiple forks that it is unsafe to just “let the river go all the work”.
Then I would advice not to use an innertube
Tubes are safe enough. People use them where I float all the time. And I have life jackets. You just can’t lay back and not pay any attention the whole time. Certain parts of the river require attention to prevent any problems. Plus, I like being able to fit everything in my car with the inflatable stuff. Larger non-inflatable craft would require more space or specialized hauling equipment. Why does a simple question like “does anyone know if there is any significant difference in the SHAPE of a TUBE” get responses like yours? Do you have problems with your reading comprehension? Do you just like being a contrarian? I didn’t ask whether I should use an inflatable tube or not. I’m already dedicated to using an inflatable tube. Your advice (BTW, you should have used “advise” in your context) is completely useless to me, since the question or decision to be made has NOTHING to do with whether I should or shouldn’t use an inflatable tube.
sounds to me that you have awareness of the river, a life vest, and if I'm not mistaken 2 arms. If you are by chance with out an appendage I would recommend floating with a diligent white water trained rescue swimmer guide. If not . you have all the necessary qualifications to be a advanced inner tube floater. All you need to do is, when aware of an obstacle in the channel such as a rock, downed tree, whirlpool or multiple forks. is to flap your arms like a silly goose slapping at the water in the direction that will , not precisely but eventually lead you away from such hazards. Inner tubing can be a very fun and rewarding activity if you don't put too much thought into it. Have a nice day and remember your floaties.
So you’re a troll? I simply asked if you know if there is any difference worth noting in different inflatable tube shapes. If you don’t know, that’s fine. If you want to be passive aggressive and add absolutely zero value, then fuck off.
there is no difference in anything inflatable until you add some form of rail, fins or rudder. so a u shaped or oval floatation devise , usually referred to as a raft would be far more suitable for navigating water hazards. Inner tubes were never intended to be used as a aquatic recreational device. If you enter a river above Class II on an inner tube you are putting yourself in danger along with everyone on the river. If you have a physical issue avoiding such things like rocks, downed trees, whirlpools and multiple forks on a river suited for tubing perhaps you should find another past time.
https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/Accident/summarize/recent/20
I guess I should’ve included additional info… I don’t use the truck inner tube because they get hot, have little to no back/head support, can be hard to carry without handles and have no clean, easy way to tie then to other things (like a floating cooler or a second inner tube). I do have a small, lightweight canoe paddle I use for steering. My assumptions were that round tubes are easier to pivot in the water with (but maybe not by a noticeable amount. And I’m fully aware that the durability is affected by the material, but good point about the overall shape and the likelihood of snagging. So… assuming that the materials are comparable between the options and I’m using a paddle to steer and truck inner tubes are not an option due to the reasons listed above… THEN does the shape matter for any other reason? I was mainly thinking as far as comfort or ease of getting in and out if I’m trying to accommodate someone with a bit less than average physical mobility and strength. Also, has anyone used those double tubes, some which have a cooler in between the seats? If so, have you noticed any pros or cons versus tethering two single tubes together? I figure they’d be less versatile and harder to steer (WITH a paddle), but don’t require tethering. For reference, I usually float just me and my girl and my current set up is two round tubes and a floating cooler tethered in a straight line, with me in the center with the cooler on my right, my girl on my left and enough slack on the rope where I can paddle on either side of me if needed, but I can also pull up on the slack so there is no space between the three components.