How to Float the River

One of the best ways to spend a hot summer day is floating the river with your pals! Don't forget sunscreen, drinks and keys!

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• 2 cars
• inflated tire tubes or raft
• beverages/snacks
• life jackets
• sunscreen
• sunglasses
• river that is known to be safe for floating without a guide.

1. Before your trip, make sure you go to a part of a river that is commonly floated and known to be safe without rapids.
2. On your way out, find a park area or spot where you can park your car. Lock up and bring your keys with you. Then head to your drop off point and unload your tubes or raft, friends and whatever else you brought. Make sure you put on your sunscreen and life vest. Don't forget to lock the car and bring the keys with you. Have a little backpack or something you can hook the keys onto to keep the safe from getting lost in the river.
3. Launch! Launch off in the river enjoy the rays of sun and the cool current below you as you enjoy the next couple of hours with your group. A lot of people don't wear life jackets, but almost every summer you hear a story about people that drown while using the river for recreation. I had a friend that almost drowned but luckily someone in the group was able to get to him and help him. Wear a life vest so you don't have to worry.
4. When your trip is coming to an end and you are approaching the spot where you need to get out, make sure you work your way over to that side of the river and start getting out BEFORE you pass it. If you are in the middle of the river caught in the current when you get to the pick up point, you are going to probably miss it and have to end up walking back.
5. Get into the pick up car that you dropped off at your end point and go pick up the car at the drop off point. People can wait and lounge by the river and wait while two people do this if you can't all fit in the one car with the tubes.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear a life vest
• wear sunscreen
• wear sunglasses
• make sure you don't lose your keys in the water
• bring something to drink
• make sure you only float the river in an area that is safe and at the time of year that it is typically used for floating. Call your local Parks and Recreation for information on popular drop off and pick up points.