A typical weekend view of the Sugar River near Albany, WI, during the summer.
Connect a few inflatable tubes together, invite your friends and get in the water for a summertime activity that relaxes and rejuvenates.
According to Time Magazine, tubing was allegedly invented in Thailand by Princess Chumbhot of Nagar Svarga sometime in the middle of the 20th century.
Tubers, whether connected by rope or untethered, are led downstream at the mercy of the waterway. The rope keeps a group together to allow for conversations and assistance maneuvering around obstacles such as rocks, logs and branches in or near the body of water. You’re sure to come upon something.
Last weekend I joined my cousin and a couple of friends for a tubing adventure down the Sugar River at Albany, WI, and I thought of a few tips I’d want to offer for anyone who has never been tubing.
Tubing Tips
- Splurge for the cooler tube: Most tubing companies will offer another tube which nobody rides in, but holds the cooler. This is beneficial for longer rides on extremely warm days to keep beverages cool. If consuming alcohol, alternate with water to stay hydrated.
- No glass bottles or glass of any sort: Nobody wants to cut themselves walking on broken glass. In a river, it’s difficult to see what is on the bottom. Avoid bringing breakable items to prevent future injury.
- Towel or no towel: Usually a towel isn’t necessary while on a tube. The point is to get wet to cool down on a hot day. Some people like to bring one to use as a headrest or to keep dark-colored tubes from being too warm against sensitive skin. Definitely keep a towel in your vehicle for the ride home, though. There is no avoiding getting at least a little wet unless you’re in a boat, which isn’t really tubing.
- Sandals: I find that they are extremely beneficial, especially if you aren’t used to walking on rocky surfaces. It’s a stream; there will be rocks. And occasionally you will have to get out of the tube to walk it through shallow areas. I prefer sandals that have a strap to keep them from sinking into the mud and staying there; others prefer the cheapest ones they can find because there is a chance they’ll get lost at some point. It’s up to you, but I recommend having something that you don’t mind getting wet (avoid leather or light color cloth unless it cleans up easily).
- Dragging items: Sometimes there just isn’t room for everything you want to have with you. You’ll have the cooler, but who wants to put empty cans back in with the cold ones? Clipping a garbage bag or some sort of sack to collect your garbage will be helpful. Also, if you’re short on space, consider clipping a string with all of your group’s shoes to the tube so they don’t fall out at some point. You can even attach 6-packs of beverages because the river water will keep them cool.
- Check the weather: Make sure you aren’t anticipating any storms during your tubing adventure. If severe weather does crop up, you should exit the water and wait it out under a tree on the shore. Do not stay in your flotation device during lightning.
- Know the water source: Depending on recent weather patterns, the river you’re traveling may be high or low. You should check with local officials (the tubing company or DNR) to determine if there are any obstacles you should know about. When a river is low, there may be more rocks that could hinder a pleasant experience. When the water is high, it travels quicker, which could be dangerous. Also, you’ll sometimes see people jumping out of trees into the water; before attempting anything of the sort, check the depth of the water and make sure it is going to be a safe landing free of rocks. Just because someone did it last year in that spot doesn’t mean the water levels are safe enough to do the same this year. Consider that it will take significantly longer to get medical attention while on the water.
