Tubing Tips – River Facts – River Map

Tubing Tips – River Facts – River Maps

Rainforest Expeditions Tubing Tips

1. TENNIS SHOES, AQUA-SHOES, SANDALS or other footwear are needed to protect against sharp objects, cuts, scrapes, bruises and the rocky river bottom while walking to and from entry/exit points for tubing rope is provided to tie them to your tube

2. SUN BLOCK LOTION or SUN SCREEN should be applied both BEFORE and DURING each float trip or any time you are in the sun for extended periods. It's a good idea to bring a large white T-shirt and put on if you begin to sunburn.

3. A CAP, HAT or VISOR and SUNGLASSES will help shield your face, eyes and head from the rays of the sun.

4. CHILDREN should be at least five (5) years old or older and MUST be accompanied by an adult for tubing on the river. Life jackets / vests are recommended for all children and all non swimmers and are provided on request at no charge with your tube rental. There are NO LIFE GUARDS ON DUTY, you will be on your own, use caution, think safety first! Parents & Guardians - you are responsible for your children...a waiver will be required for each tuber.

5. DRINK PLENTY OF WATER while tubing on the Cowichan River to help prevent dehydration.

6. DO NOT LITTER! Dispose of all trash in garbage cans provided at entrance/ exit and along the route. Map provided at Eco Centre entrance for Garbage can locations. Dump all trash in designated receptacles. Help keep our rivers, parks and the Cowichan beautiful. Help everyone enjoy Cowichan River

7. GLASS CONTAINERS or STYROFOAM COOLERS are NOT RECOMMENDED on the Cowichan River

8. PARK ONLY in designated areas, cars in undesignated areas may be towed at the owners expense If direction required ask any Rainforest Expeditions employee who will happily point out designated areas.

9. SECURE YOUR CAR KEYS, house keys, or any other keys on the River… keys don't float... Locksmiths are expensive! We have a Safety Pin them to yourself or preplan a way to secure them in a pocket or add a key float.

10. DO NOT TAKE ANY VALUABLES ON THE RIVER as most items sink and are never found; place your cell phones, jewelry and other valuables in a safe place! Phones don't float and do not work very well, if at all, after they have been submerged under water. Many people have lost Wedding rings and other types of rings because fingers tend to shrink after being in the water for awhile, allowing ring(s) to slip off fingers into the river, never to be found again.

11. ATTACH & SECURE PRESCRIPTION GLASSES, EYEWEAR and SUNGLASSES to your face, head or body while tubing. Anyone wearing glasses should have a headband, neckband or float bobber of some sort, preferably the floating type that attaches to each arm of your glasses to prevent your eyeglasses from falling off your face and sinking into the river should you flip your tube over.. We suggest you bring your own Float Bobber with you for your eyeglasses.

Happy Safe Tubing

Cowichan River Facts

The Cowichan River flows 47 kms from mountain-ringed Cowichan Lake through forests and fields

Completing it’s journey to a large ocean estuary at Cowichan Bay.

Cowichan, derived from the Coast Salish word ‘Khowutzun’,

Means “land warmed by the sun” and ice formation on the river is rare.

Since the early 1900s the river has served as a transportation corridor to Lake Cowichan for local logging operations. Old spring board stumps and remnants of camps and rail lines testify to the area’s logging history

Interesting Links of Information Regarding the River are

www.chrs.ca/Rivers/Cowichan/Cowichan_e.htm

www.vancouverisland.com/LakesAndRivers/rivers/southisland/cowichanriver

Note:

We recommend that you do not experience the Cowichan River

From Little Beach to Skutz Falls there are many river bends and log jams

That are not safe for tubers as well as road access is 3 kms away.

Cowichan River Map

Town Tubing Map

Tubing on the river is exciting and challenging. There are many areas along the river that are tubing friendly.

We suggest the tubing route from the “Head of the Cowichan River” where Rainforest Expedition’s Eco Destination Centre is located at the Weir by Saywell Park and the Kaatza Museum.

This is a 2 – 2.5 hr tube ride through the town of Lake Cowichan to Little Beach.

We offer a ride back, at time of departure, from your destination –

Little Beach, where you may leave your vehicle and towels, etc.

To welcome you when you complete your experience

While tubing through the town there is the; “The Cow Town” & “Riverside Inn”

Where you may stop for lunch and refreshments

Extreme

Skutz Falls - Marie Canyon - Stoltz Pool

Extreme Tubing

Located off Highway 18,

Follow signs from

Skutz Falls Road via Cowichan Lake Road