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No Major Hazards?
Tubing brings its own kind of danger
Y
es, tubing can be a delightful way to “while away a couple hours
watching the riverbanks pass by,” and the Summer Guide article
“Take It To the River” June 2 did a good job of sharing the joys
of tubing and the basic logistics, but by glossing over the hazards it made
tubing seem a no-brainer. Being on moving water always presents hazards.
To have a safe and fun fl oat, tubers must be aware of these potential water
hazards, as well as the limitations of tubes as watercraft.
In my 20-plus years of boating local rivers in canoes and rafts, I have seen
some safe and sane tubers but many more through ignorance, inexperience
or intoxication were disasters waiting to happen, and they often did. I have
rescued tubers who got caught in wood on the water and nearly drowned.
I’ve seen people (mostly young men) so drunk that they couldn’t stay on
their tubes and thought it very funny. By August each year the wood in the
water (called “strainers” because water fl ows through them but solid things
like people do not) is littered with cheap infl atables and tubes. Amazingly
enough, most of the people who were on these things survived.
Reporter Camilla Mortensen says there are “no major hazards” on the
Clearwater run. I taught river canoeing on that stretch because it contains
all the hazards one is likely to encounter on a river: strainers, powerful eddy
lines, rocks, strong currents, confusing braided channels, class I/II rapids,
and cold water. Yes, to an experienced Class III boater the hazards may not
seem major, but they are real and will get any fl oater in trouble if ignored.
At Clearwater Landing the eddy lines can be strong enough to fl ip tubes.
Just below the landing, where the channels braid there is a bend to the
left. On the outside of this bend, large amounts of woody debris have built
up and this is where the current is pushing you. This is a major hazard. All
along this run are rocks and riffl es that can fl ip or shred a tube. Once on
this stretch a canoe in my class hit a rock and tipped over. After rescuing
the paddlers we set out to fi nd their canoe. It had fi nally run into a strainer
about a half mile downstream. (Note: It could be an ugly walk along the
blackberry covered banks to fi nd your tube or a way back to civilization.)
And remember that tubes are not very maneuverable. If you get close to
an obstacle it’s hard to get away from it. You must be looking and thinking
ahead to stay out of trouble. And since you have to be thinking, alcohol
should not be your “beverage of choice.”
The advice about tying on your belongings is good. Your PFD should be
securely tied to your body. It can’t help keep you afl oat if it’s tied on to the tube
or left at home. Yes, I know the law doesn’t require you to have a PFD on a single
tube and doesn’t require you to wear one, but it makes sense to increase your
chances of staying afl oat and getting back home to be able to do it again. You
should also wear shoes or sandals that fasten (not fl ip-fl ops) to protect your feet
from rocks and also the broken glass that others have deposited in the river.
I’m not trying to discourage tubing. Like I said at the beginning, it can be
a fun and safe way to enjoy the river, but please be aware of the risks and do
all you can to minimize them.
See you on the water.
P.S. Since the shuttles are short, consider using a bicycle for your second
vehicle.
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BY OMAR NELSON
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call for appointment
570 Lawrence St., Suite 101
Eugene, OR
541-344-1688 • fax 541-344-8110
www.chroniccareinc.com
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Omar Nelson has been involved with the City of Eugene’s River House Outdoor Program for more than 20
years. He has worked as a raft and canoe guide and instructor. He is speaking for himself, not the city or
any city program.
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6 JUNE 23, 2011 EUGENE WEEKLY
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