Tubing, river quality, and YOU!

Jokerman

So I really want to do some tubing this summer. Two problems.

1) How do i find out where good rivers are around me to go tubing in?
2) where's a good place to buy an innertube? Can I just go to a tire store and go "Gimme an innertube", slap some cash down, and leave?

Eat it You Nasty Pig.

As far as acquiring an innertube, you can probably go to whatever outdoorsy store is near you and they'll either sell you one, or someone will have an idea of where to get one. Alternatively you can use actual inner tubes from actual tires. Don't really know how you'd go about buying those independently of the tires, but if there is an auto shop nearby maybe they would hook you up.

Finding a river should be easy enough; all you really need is one deep and fast enough to carry you along, and to make sure there are no falls or rough rapids.

DekuStick

Any wal-mart or anything like that will have them.

You'll get high quality (designed for rivers/lakes not pools) in outdoor stores.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_97938____SearchResults

I just google'd up Bass Pro (because I don't know many outdoor stores) and found that. Looks like you can be tubing in comfort.

PsychoCucumber

I don't know what part of the country you're in, but http://www.floridastateparks.org/ichetuckneesprings/default.cfm , in Florida, is really nice.

If that's too far away from you, I'm sure other states have a similar website.

MetroidZoid

My experience in tubing is thus:

You want (A) a river / large creek that is deep enough and moving enough that you don't have to do any work. Large rivers can move so slow on the surface, combined with winds at certain times of the day, that you can actually be pushed up stream. Not fun. Also, if they're shallow, you're gonna be scraping your ass on rocks, plus certain areas will be unusually warm and algae-infested. Blech.

Inner tubes work, but if you invest in a tough rafting tube (not a $5 pool toy ... you will only end up sorry and sinking when it snags on the tiniest piece of tree) for like ... I've seen 'em $10 at a yard sale, $30ish new. You pay for quality, but you don't need anything like what fly fisherman use ... unless you want the sweet cooler and footrest, which you'll pay for. Sevlor makes great shit; I have one of their tahiti's and tubes.

Which brings up another thing; you can have just as much fun, though more options, in a small raft or tahiti (think inflatable canoe). Room for cooler, extra clothes, sprawling room, plus you can control it's direction. Or do what I do and occasionally lay on it perpendicularly, and float away. All sports equipment stores have a good selection. Also, pack a spare hand pump on board, if you can. Never had to use mine, but when I will it's right there.

As far as rivers go, ask around. See where people go to raft (that don't require guides ... avoid anything requiring a permit, you will die. Rapids are rated 1-5 ... hell, watch A River Wild. Hehe, they filmed that on the river I go on, sans the giant waterfall scenes. Anyways, 1 and 2 rapids are fine. You want to be in something larger for 3, and 4-5 can be rough sons of bitches).

Life jacket. Use one. Even on a slow river shit can go bad, plus in many states it's the law now. You can get away with those shitty box ones, but they're uncomfortable. I bought a water-ski'ing one at Wal-Mart for like $20, it's snug all around the chest, instead of the shoulders and neck, but allows me plenty of movement.

Also go with friends. Preferably at least one who knows CPR; Murphy's law, if something can go bad, it's going to when you're in the middle of no where.
Good luck, have fun.

UberFlop

Ask around people you know. Provide a state or location and someone here will probably be able to help you out.

If you're in Texas perchance, I'd recommend either the Frio River (Garner State Park / Concan) or the Comal River (New Braunfels / Schlitterbahn waterpark).

meeker

Find a local park on a river that does it all for you. $10 and you are on the river for a day.

In Minneapolis, we go to the Apple River in Wisconsin to do our tubing.

Jokerman

See there's a deep river in the town I live in,

The Coosa River,

However, my city is home to a superfund site, so I don't know how clean it is.

MetroidZoid

I'd say if people regularly fish in the area you want to float, you'd be fine.

Don't drink the water, probably not a good idea on even the cleanest rivers.

Which also reminds me, bring a bottle of water.