TUBING TIPS
Spring has arrived
and summer will be here before you know it. With things heating up and
vacation time just around the corner, boaters will be gearing up to
enjoy a variety of water sports. That includes being pulled behind a
boat in or on various types of “towables.” Suitable for
all members of the family, tubes are among the most popular types of
towables on the market today. They’re available in a wide range
of shapes and sizes (BoatersWorld.com has a huge selection), but all
are designed with a single goal in mind – on-the-water excitement.
While thrills and spills are definitely part of the tubing experience,
safety should always come first. Here are some tips to help ensure that
your next tubing experience is safe and enjoyable.
Know the Capabilities
and Limitations of your Tube and Riders
Sure you want to have fun with your new tube, but first you need to
learn how to use your towable properly and safely. After all, if somebody
gets hurt, the fun will be over in a hurry. Before you start to tow
anyone in an inflatable, be sure to read the warning indicators on the
tube, and follow the manufacturer’s limits and specifications
regarding the number of riders, maximum size/weight, and top towing
speed. Tubers should also know how to position themselves and hold on
correctly for a safe ride. Both the driver of the boat and the tube
riders should be aware of the rules and regulations governing the particular
body of water on which they are tubing. It’s also extremely important
for each tuber to wear a Coast Guard-approved personal floatation device
(PFD), regardless of the individual’s endurance. Remember, your
tube riders may have differing levels of skill, physical strength and
swimming ability. Always keep this mind, and make any necessary speed
or driving adjustments accordingly.
Make Sure the
Boat Driver is Informed, Responsible, and Alert
If you will be driving the boat, know that you are ultimately responsible
for the safety of the tubers. Make sure you have a solid understanding
of safe boating rules and regulations. Each boat should also have a
designated “spotter” onboard to alert the driver if anyone
falls off the tube and keep track of that person’s location.
If a tuber does fall, the spotter should hold up a safety flag to let
other boaters know that a rider is down in the water. The driver of
the boat should keep a constant vigil for oncoming boats and any fixed
obstacles or floating debris on either side of the boat that could present
a hazard. Try to stay at least 50 yards from other boats and potential
hazards such as docks, buoys, rocks and shorelines. Although driving
in a zig-zag pattern helps maximize the fun by allowing a tubers to
cross over the wake of your boat, only do so when no other boats are
approaching. While towing tubers, always be aware of your boat speed.
A safe towing speed will depend upon several variables, including: regulations
for the specific body of water, the age, size, weight and physical ability
of the riders; and overall water conditions. If you are towing young
children, (most tubes are not designed for use by children under six
(6) years of age), maintaining a slower speed becomes all the more important.
As a general guideline, keep your speed under 10 mph when towing those
12 years of age and younger; under 20 mph for younger teenagers (13
to 16); and under 25 mph for older teens and adults. Keep the nose of
the tube up until the tube is “on plane.” Also avoid sharp
turns that could cause the tube to flip over and cause possible injury
to the riders. It is also important to slow your speed when driving
over boat wakes to avoid back injury, especially if the rider is lying
in a stomach-down position on the tube.
A Secure Connection
Don’t overlook the important connection between the tube and
your boat – your tow rope. Before getting out on the water, check
the tow rope carefully (as well as the connectors and tow tongues on
the tube) for wear, cuts or fraying. Replace the rope at the first sign
of damage. Also make sure the rope you are using is made specifically
for towing inflatable tow tubes. Before you start towing any tubers,
check to see that the tow rope isn’t wrapped around anyone’s
hands, arms, legs, or any other body parts. Care should also be taken
to prevent the tow rope from becoming entangled with the boat’s
propeller. In the event this does occur, turn off the engine immediately
and take the key out of the ignition before trying to remove the rope
from the prop.
General Guidelines
for Multiple-Person Tubing
Most tubes are made to carry a single rider, however, some models, such
as the Airhead “Jumbo Dog” or the SportsStuff “Big
Bertha” are designed to carry more than one person. While sharing
a tube with friends can add to the overall fun of the experience, the
concept of multiple riders does require a few extra safety precautions.
Making sure that the weight in the tube is distributed and balanced
properly becomes even more important when it comes to safety and performance.
Multiple riders in a tube also means additional arms, legs and hands,
making it more challenging to ensure that tubers are not entangled with
the tow rope. Riders in multi-person tubes should remember to communicate
with each other at all times out on the water. Working together to reposition
and shift weight while underway is especially important when making
turns or crossing over wakes.
Tubing can be fun
and exciting for kids and adults alike, but safety should always be
the primary concern. Don’t attempt to do any “extreme”
tricks or stunts out there that require dangerous activity or improper
use of your tube. Also, never operate or use a tube while under the
influence of alcohol. You’ll need to be able to act quickly and
decisively if anything unexpected occurs. Follow the rules, use common
sense, and you’ll have a great tubing experience without any
mishaps or injuries.
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