barefoot tubing

If you are an experienced tuber looking for an adrenalin rush, this is for you.If you are a family looking for a leisurely, relaxing float, this is NOT for you.Our group fell into the latter category so we were caught by surprise by the challenging currents.I witnessed two people, each from a different group, smash into large rocks early in their trip along the river. At the end, both had to be helped from the river, unable to walk or stand on their own, due to badly bruised foot or leg.If you decide to tackle this adventure, prepare to continually use your arms to paddle the tube away from danger or the river banks. Prepare to pull in your legs and arms to allow the tube, rather than you, to inevitably collide with rocks.At the end, your towels will not be waiting for you. Instead, you will wait up to 15 minutes for a driver to shuttle you five minutes back to your car before you can retrieve your towels and dry clothes.The employees we encountered did their best to be helpful. They are not responsible for the river. But you should be forewarned there is definitely risk involved with this adventure.Some will enjoy this, but this is not for everyone. Proceed with caution.

I'm mixed between giving this a "very good" rating or an "average" rating because everyone in my family had a very different experience and enjoyment level. It was exciting to say the least and we will never forget this experience. They say not for under 12, and they MEAN IT. I would NOT take my kids again unless they were larger kids and are strong and big enough to paddle and control their own tube. This is not a "lazy river" or easy type of experience. Be prepared to get dunked, thrown off, pushed into trees on the edge, hit rocks etc. I think it's a little too wild of a river for tubing personally and would have rather enjoyed a calmer experience mainly because I worried about my kids the entire time. The river is swift and once you lose them, its really hard to catch up or even hold on to wait.... I eventually was able to hold on to something and wait for my kids to come and was much happier being able to hang on to them. However, there were times when hanging on was too dangerous and you had to let go and then try your best to get together again. From my family members perspective, here is what they thought of the trip: my husband and myself - not bad for ourselves personally...we did fine and would have been fine if we were by ourselves I think. I never went under and was able to control my tube ok. We were worried about our kids, had to console them at times as they screamed and cried after the rapids because one got dunked and hurt her foot, lost a water shoe. She was really scared. I was VERY SCARED going under one bridge in particular that has a very very low clearance and re-bar sticking out. At least remove the re-bar! It was very dangerous. I had no way of controlling my tube and my kids tube to get to the right side of the bridge we needed to go under. Water was very swift going under bridges. My mother (age 65) - got a fat bloody lip, nearly drowned under the highway when she got stuck in the current of the bridge pillar. A kayaker pulled her out and helped her to the shore (thank goodness) and she was very afraid to get back in. But there was no one to help or pick her up if she didn't get back in. She HAD to go to the pick up point. My nephew age 15 - loved this trip! He was in heaven and had a blast. My kids - will probably never trust us when we want to go tubing again. We thought it would be a little easier, similar to what I did as a kid. My sister, tethered to my niece... scary at times but they did ok I think out of sheer luck truthfully. It was scary to be tethered and I think even more dangerous. But at least you know where your kid is. Overall experience, I think having someone watch at the dangerous points to assist would be GREATLY BENEFICIAL! I don't think they had enough employees on board for this. Safety is not their concern and it should be. They need to make sure EVERYONE hears the instructions, not just shout them and run off. They need to check life jackets and make sure they work, etc. I think my mother is traumatized from the experience and was very beaten and bruised up afterwards. I saw several other dunkings even from grown adults that are very physically fit as well.