September 18, 2003|By Lisa Wiseman | Lisa Wiseman,SPECIAL TO THE SUN
What outdoor activity is inexpensive, requires little skill, knowledge or exertion, provides hours of thrills and adventure, and can be done all while sitting on your butt?
It's tubing, where one rides a river's current while sitting in an inner tube. Unlike canoeing or kayaking, there's no paddling involved in tubing - you pretty much let the river take you where it wants. There's no fancy equipment to buy. All you need is an inexpensive truck tire tube, some old tennis shoes, a swimsuit and a decent life jacket, just to play it safe.
The sport has grown in popularity, said John Norris, founder of Potomac Outdoor Expeditions in Hancock. His company has been offering canoe and tubing rentals and trips on the Potomac for 14 years. Business has been good, he said.
"It's really taken off. Tubing is fun and easy, and everybody can do it. Even families with small children."
With the record snowfall last winter and a very rainy summer, this is the perfect time to go tubing.
"The water is the highest it's been in five years," said Rachel Wright, a staff member at River and Trail Outfitters near Harpers Ferry, W.Va. "It's nothing compared to last year," she said, when Baltimore and much of the East Coast was in a serious drought.
If you want to go tubing, you have several options. You can buy or rent your own tube and go it alone on a local river or you can go to one of several area outdoor adventure outfitters. Almost all outfitters provide a quality inner tube, a life jacket, a river guide if you want one and a shuttle to your car. Some even offer picnic lunches and inner tubes designed to hold sodas and food you bring with you.
Whether you go on your own or with an outfitter, there are several good rules to follow when tubing.
You should definitely know how to swim, as it's very likely that you will fall off your tube, especially if you go in whitewater, and children should always wear a life jacket. Most outfitters require them for everyone. Bring plenty of water to drink and load up on the sunscreen. Never consume alcohol before or during a tubing trip. Officials with the Department of Natural Resources say drinking on the river is one of the leading causes of drowning.
If you want to go tubing on your own
You can buy a decent inner tube at a tire repair shop. Look for shops that service tractor-trailers. Or you can buy a tube at a marine-supply store. Look for ones that are durable and have handles to hang on to. Never use a swimming-pool tube on the river. It will likely pop. There are also places to rent a tube. Monkton Station, located at the Monkton stop along the Northern Central Railroad Trail, and Chakra Cycles in Cockeysville are two. You'll need two cars - one at the beginning of your trip and one at the end, unless you plan to walk back to your car. Just remember you'll have to lug your tube and cooler back with you.
Gunpowder Falls State Park: There are numerous places to put in and take out along the Gunpowder. The state Department of Natural Resources recommends the Hereford Area as a good place to start. Call 410-592-2897 for more information. The mile-long trip in mostly Class I water starts at the picnic and trail area at Bunker Hill Road and ends at York Road. Parking is available. Other popular put-in and take-out areas with parking are the Belair Road station in Perry Hall, the Gunpowder Falls State Park Headquarters at Jerusalem Mill and Jones Road in White Marsh. There are plenty of places along the way to stop for a break or picnic.
Rocks State Park: Deer Creek in Rocks State Park offers mostly gentle, steady-moving water. However, tubing below the Wilson's picnic area is restricted due to dangerous Class III rapids. Put in at Hills Grove picnic area, the second picnic area on the right off St. Clair Bridge Road. Take out at Wilson's picnic area. The trip will take about an hour. Call 410-557-7994.
Patapsco Valley State Park (Orange Grove/Avalon Area, 410-461-5005): Park at the Orange Grove lot and hike the service road upstream one mile to the base of Bloede's Dam. Put in on the river away from the areas posted "swimming prohibited." Take out just before the Gun Road Bridge. Parking is available at the end at the Avalon parking area. This 3-mile trip is a little more hazardous. Life jackets are required for everyone. Bloede's Dam and the area just below it are restricted due to turbulent water.
If you want to use an outfitter
The benefit of going with an outfitter is that someone else takes care of the details. Reservations are encouraged at all of these locations, especially on weekends. Outfitters will offer tubing trips as late as October and November if the weather is warm enough. Call ahead. Although all outfitters have age limits for children to go tubing, that can change depending on water conditions. It's best to call the day of your trip.
