To safely and effectively maneuver while tubing in a river, it’s essential to master a few techniques for navigating both calm sections and Class II and III rapids. First, ensure a stable posture by balancing with your arms and using your feet as a guide, keeping them slightly raised and stretched out in front. This helps prevent your feet from getting caught on rocks or branches beneath the water.

As you approach rapids or turns, use your arms to push the tube to the opposite side, which helps maintain the desired direction. In faster currents, paddle with your hands to avoid collisions with rocks or drifting out of the main flow. In high-speed sections, slightly bend your knees to absorb the impact of the rapids.

Finally, always follow the guide’s instructions and use the necessary safety equipment, as tubing maneuvers are most effective when maintaining control of your movements and having protection against potential obstacles. Note that each river may vary in features, so guides tailor their safety and maneuvering instructions to the local environment