What is a "River Tubing". If you have been to some of Malaysian villages nearby a river, probably you see some boys
playing with tube at the river. Basically they sit on the tube and flows down the river going through small rapids.
It is an activity uses inflatetable tube as the equipment and river as the medium. The tube normally is the innertube
of a truck or any tire tube. The "Tuber" is the person who sit on the tube and uses his hand to control the movement
of the tube in the river.
River Tubing is one of the less expensive water activities around. This is because you only need a tire tube,
life-jacket, helmet, proper shoes like water sport shoes, strap sandal or in Malaysia we have Kg. Adidas and a river.
The choice of a tire tube is very important. Recommended a truck size tire tube. A big size tube will provides stability
and protection. The Tuber is advisable to wear a life-jacket and a helmet to protect from hitting any rocks or any object
on the river in case they fall out from the tube.
some calm water during the journey
For every outdoor activities, there are some risks. Tubing is an activities uses rivers as an medium. Do not take things
for granted, even a grade one river the power of flowing water is incredible and can cause accident. However if you follow
the instructions it will be an interest and fun activities. Here are some of the safety measurement to take note:-
Go with someone who knows the river condition well. The person can be a river guide.
Beginners are advisable on river graded 1-2 only. A grade 3 river is for more experience tuber.
Although you are wearing a life-jacket, is good to know how to swim because there is a risk of getting tipped over and separated from your float tube.
Never tie anything to the tube or use of ropes as a tuber can get trapped or wrapped in them and potentially drown.
During tubing, keep the group closed together and make sure everyone can see each others and within the river guide sight.
While on the river, avoid logs, tree branches or bushes that can trapped or hurts you.
Don't let the currrent push you into a channel that is too narrow to pass through safely.
Always keep your feet up and swim to the river bank if you get tipped out of your tube.
Don't stand or walk on the riverbed where current is strong and could push you away.
going through a grade 2 rapid
So how do you control the movement of the tube and navigate through the river. Remember you don't have any paddle.
Yes, is using your hand. Like in swimming, open up your hand palm and push backward. If you try to push forward
probably you wouldn't go anyway, that's because the forward push doesn't generate enough thrust to move yourself
and the tube. You may ask if I push backward then how do I go forward. That is where the current of the river will
take you forward. You control the left right by pushing backward at certain angle. Example you want to go to the
right, you need to turn between 0-90 degrees to the left and push backward. The bigger the angle the fast you move
to the right. Vice versa procedure if you want to go left. Simple right, basically you just need to know 2 very
basic skill, turning left right and push backward.
Feel like taking a tube and start tubing. Kampar River in Perak and Kenaboi River are two (2) rivers that is
suitable for tubing. The tubing take place at the grade 1-2 section of the river and with guides and equipment.
