What is tubing?
A fun activity to try absolutely!
Corn (Mais) what is tubing, this outdoor activity trending in recent years? In English, " tube translates (among other things) to “ room à air ". And that's where the name " tubing ". It is large circular buoys, resembling inner tubes, on which the "tubers" settle to slip and / or float. Several variations are then possible: river tubing, the towed tubing at sea or on lacs, the tubing toboggan on SNOW or on artificial tracks, etc. When it comes to fun, imagination has no limits! And one thing for sure is that tubing is very playful. ! You are tempted by this original activity and would like to know more? What is it about, What are the dangers, who can go tubing ? At Exterior Nature, we welcome lovers of river descents on buoys in our leisure park since 2007. Tubing, we know, we love and we explain everything to you:
What is Tubing? Definition of a sliding hobby
Tubing is an outdoor activity that involves riding an inflatable tube or a large inner tube equipped with handles to float on water , snow , or artificial surfaces . It's a personal watercraft that floats and glides. You'll see, it's great fun!
Tubing on the water
Water tubing can be practiced in two ways:
1. River tubing, a real alternative to canoeing:
You sit on a large inflatable tube and float freely down a river or stream , steering yourself with a double paddle.
It's a very fun activity that can be done in a " far niente " aquatic stroll mode : you float and let yourself be carried by the current and enjoy the surrounding landscape.
But river tubing can also be sporty : you launch yourself into rapids and glide at full speed with the currents.
The goal is to avoid obstacles (rocks, branches, etc.) without tipping your boat over!
The more adventurous can try variations: forward, backward, spinning, hanging on to each other like a caterpillar, relay races, etc.
It’s fun and provides wonderful sensations close to nature!
2. Towed tubing:
The buoy is towed by a motorboat , on a lake or at sea for example.
The boat sets off at full speed and makes more or less tight turns.
Your mission is to hold on to your boat while trying not to fall into the water.
If you like speed and strong emotions, go for it!
tubing on land
Here, the tire acts as a sled . And we can tell you, it glides very, very well!
In winter, of course, it's on the snow . You can go tubing at ski resorts, on specially designed slopes. In recent years, slopes made with a very slippery plastic material have also been developed , allowing you to go tubing even in summer!
The funny thing is that due to the circular shape of the buoys you can spin like a top! Sensitive souls refrain !
That was just for your general knowledge. At Extérieur Nature, we're big fans of river tubing … and all whitewater sports, for that matter 😉. So in this article, we're mainly going to talk about what we know best: river tubing!
Who invented river tubing?
The earliest evidence of tubing consists of large inflatable buoys used on lakes, at sea or on rivers.
LIFE magazine published an article and photos from 1941 documenting the unusual activity of some Americans: "river tubing" and "floating parties." This mainly involved floating on large individual inflatable tubes. Paddling down rapids was not yet a thing.
It would seem that river tubing was invented by a Thai princess ! Princess Chumbhot of Nagar Svarga, who loved sports and unusual activities, is said to have introduced her friends, and then the local population, to the practice of descending rapids on inner tubes!
In France , river tubing developed mainly in the 1990s and 2000s , with the rise of whitewater sports and leisure activities.
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What are the dangers of river tubing?
If the river and equipment are not suitable and safe , the risk of accidents is high. To avoid bruises, fractures, injuries, and even drowning, be smart and vigilant! Tubing can be perfectly safe when supervised by professionals.
While not mandatory, it's best to stick to sections of the river that have been developed and made safe by experts . You can venture into the wild, without supervision and with just your beach buoy… but do so at your own risk! Some rapids can be dangerous…
The advantage of using an accredited organization is that the tubing area is inspected and secured . The water flow is monitored, and if the outlet is dangerous, the operation is shut down.
Before heading out onto the river, you'll attend a mandatory safety briefing . Everything will be explained: dangers to avoid, reflexes to adopt, risky behaviors, etc. One of the first rules to follow is: "only one person per buoy".
Furthermore, all the necessary equipment is provided to you :
- solid buoy, in good condition, correctly inflated and equipped with handles;
- adapted paddle;
- homologated helmet;
- neoprene wetsuit;
- approved life jacket;
- suitable footwear.
These are state-regulated personal protective equipment (PPE) items that must comply with CE standards. They are checked and verified daily.
Finally, although the activity is generally practiced independently, the tubing area is supervised by professional instructors who can intervene at any time in case of emergency.
Who can do buoy river descents?
We told you that tubing is a safe activity that can be practiced without danger. Of course, provided you know how to swim and are able to submerge your head without fear! But that seems obvious, doesn't it?
Children can participate in this activity provided they are truly comfortable in the water. That's the first point . But they also need to be tall enough to handle the inflatable tube, which is quite large. We recommend tubing for children aged 12 and over and/or at least 1.50 meters tall.
Apart from these prerequisites, no particular physical condition is required. River tubing is accessible to everyone!
Where to go river tubing?
As you might expect, to go tubing down a river, you need a river ! The ideal waterways are those with a moderate flow and small rapids. They aren't found everywhere in France, but tubing spots are becoming more common. If you type "river tubing near me" into Google, you're sure to find something you like.
Alternatively, we offer you the best option: plan a summer weekend or your next summer vacation in the Pyrénées-Orientales (66) . We would be delighted to welcome you to our outdoor leisure park in Marquixanes, just 25 minutes from Perpignan. Try tubing on the beautiful Têt River : we guarantee you fun-filled moments of pure enjoyment and coolness, all in complete safety!
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