photo credit: Facebook @buckscountyrivercountry
One of the amazing summer pastimes in the Philly area is to go tubing down the many nearby rivers that surround the area. There are plenty of companies such as Twin Rivers Tubing and Bucks County River Country that will get you outfitted with a tube, shuttle you back to your car and sometimes even have a snack shack or tiki bar ready for nibbles when you return. But if you are rebels like us, and prefer to pack your own cooler and DIY, here are a few tips and routes to dip your toes into.
What To Bring
Being prepared is key. Here is a must-have list from PHG agent and pro tuber, Rachel Shaw.
1. A good quality tube is a must. I recommend the Intex brand. It's up to floater's preference if you want a netted bottom or open. I prefer open so you can soak the gams as you float. A drink holder is also useful. Don't be fooled by the cutsie decorative tube. Get something made of thicker material that can weather the rocks.
2. An extra float to carry coolers and trash bags. Take out what you bring in!
3. A dry bag to carry your WAWA hoagies that you grab at the morning meet up. A smushed soggy hoagie never tasted so good!
4. A large sun hat to cover face and shoulders. You don't realize how strong the sun is out there. Also, you want to look extra fashionable for all those tubing Instagram photos! If it isn’t scorching hot, a short hoodie or long sleeve shirt can come in handy to keep the chill off.
5. Waterproof sandals that strap on to your feet are useful, as you will most likely hit a point in the river that you need to get up and walk your tube to deeper water. Also more comfortable for the input and exit.
6. A rope to link your tubes together to make one massive flotilla!
photo credit: Facebook @buckscountyrivercountry (photo 1 and 3) | Instagram @delawarerivertube (photo 2)
Logistics
You’ll need two cars to DIY tube. One to leave in the southern location, where you will end the float fest and one to drive you to the start. Once the “pick up” car is parked at the end of your route, make sure to transfer your tubes, and anything else you will need once in the water to the “drop off” car. DON’T FORGET THE CAR KEYS! Leave your towels, change of clothes, your cell phone (if you didn’t get a fancy wet pouch for it) and anything else you will need for when you return.
If this is your first visit, take a moment to locate where you will exit the river, look for your landmark, often there is a bridge or a homemade flag that indicates - exit here!
Tubing is not a rush activity, once your day of lounging on the river is done, you all have to pile back in to pick up the drop off car. If you have a group of three or more it is nice to leave someone behind to start deflating the floats, so when you all meet again, you waste no time getting that ice cream you deserve!
Where to Go?
Here are two routes that provide safe parking and are easy enough to identify the exit once in the water.
Our first route is on the Lehigh River, a tributary to the Delaware. There are boat launches in both Walnutport and Treichlers Bridge where parking is provided. Don’t expect white water rafting, it is a gentle drift that reminds you to slow down and soak it all in. One of our clients will even take her sketch pad as inspiration abounds. There is one stretch of water that is especially slow at the end. It is a good place to eat lunch and swim as it is deeper. Continuing on, it will pick up again. You’ll know to exit as you will see the large stretch of bridge ahead. It is a bit faster at the bail out point, so if you have kids, leave them in the tubes and get yourself out and drag the kiddo’s up to the boat ramp so they can easily exit.
We love this route because it allows you to do that awkward half in-half out tube swim at different moments of your float. It has deeper parts where we guarantee someone in your crew will yell out with glee “my feet aren’t touching”! It’s still a slow and steady current, no big surprises. Keep your eyes peeled for the rope swing or a mini island where you can explore and have lunch. You will spot the exit as it’s where most groups get out, and there’s a little beach and a bridge that is just past, that marks the spot. The exit does have a slightly stronger current, nothing too challenging, but keep your tube and belongings close when exiting so they don’t end up on a solo excursion.
There are so many other spots to plop your tube. Try your float on the Brandywine River. Northbrook Canoe offers tubing and a twilight canoe and dine, which runs through to the fall. Susquehanna River is excellent for canoeing as well.
No matter how you go, just get out there! Make sure you tag us in your photos so we can wish we were boobin’ and tubin’ right along side of you.
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