Tubing Cowichan River:
Tubing Cowichan River GuideUpdated 5 years ago
| Route 1: "Slow and Steady" |
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| Enter: | Saywell Park |
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| Exit: | Little Beach(A Natural Place to Leave the River) |
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| Time: | 90-120 Mins |
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| Bridges: | Pedestrian Bridge, Car Bridge, Train Bridge |
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| Route 2: "Gidde Up!" |
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| Enter: | Mayo Rd. Bridge @ River Bottom Road. (Just Below Skutz Falls) |
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| Exit: | Marie Canyon |
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| Time: | 90-120 Mins |
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| Bridges: | Starts at Car Bridge, Train Bridge |
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| Notes: | Train Bridge is your 5 minute warning! Exit LEFT before Marie Canyon Falls! |
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| Route 3: |
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| Enter: | Marie Canyon |
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| Exit: | Stoltz Pool |
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| Time: | ??? |
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| Route 4: The Jason "Vimy" Route |
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| Enter: | Hertiage Rd (At the End) |
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| Exit: | 3065 Allenby Rd(At Bridge) |
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| Time: | 2 hours |
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| Crosses Under: | High Voltage Lines, Water Pipe, Road Bridge (Alleby Rd.) |
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| Danger: Skutz Falls |
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| Warning: | You CANNOT Pass Skutz Falls on a Tube! |
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| There may be a way to portage around it. But not verified. |
| To Bring: |
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| Tubes | (Duh) |
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| Air Pump | (To inflate your Tubes) |
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| Sunscreen | (Double-Duh) |
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| Bathing Suit | (Or let your Freak-Flag Fly!) |
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| Beer in CANS | (Every year we see people swimming after stray beers + crying) |
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| Sandals/Watershoes | (Don't kick a rock!) |
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| Rope | (Tie Your Tubes together so they don't drift apart) |
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| A 6 foot Hose | (Just in case someone is trapped under the water) |
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| Optional: |
- Snacks
- Water Bottle
- Paddle
- Waterproof! Music Player?
- Go Pro Camera? Take a pic like this--->
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Tuber Code of Conduct:
- The River only moves in ONE direction. Therefore:
If you are last, You have to catch up to them ASAP!
they do Not, and can Not come to you!
- If YOU need to stop, YOU need to catch up to your group first, and TELL them. Otherwise they will think you drowned.
- If anything goes wrong. If you lose your group. Walk to the parallel Road (usually on the north), and Leave a person or SIGN for anyone trying to find you!
- Rivers are LOUD next to Rapids. You must shout LOUD and Clear, or use hand signals.
- Canyons are steep. People up top cannot see you! Do not hang out in a canyon waiting for lost members!
Warnings:
- The Entire River is NOT Tube-able! Hence this guide!
- If you pop your Tube, You're going to have a bad time. Stay away from Trees!
- You cannot go over Skutz Falls. You will Drown! Get out and Portage!
- Watch for submerged Trees + Rocks
- Minor Injuries are common (cuts + scrapes)
- Certain areas have submerged trees and rocks. Be alert, Paddle around them.
- The river is also a lot of people's back yards, so be respectful of that.
Videos:
How you drown below a waterfall
Marie Canyon (not recommended)
Pointers:
- Stay to the Center of the River. Less Obstacles.
- Check the Weather
- The River's Water level plays a big part in what the rapids are like and how long your trip will take.
- Hide your Beer! Cops Patrol.
- Park the [smaller] car at your chosen Exit Location, then drive with everyone+tubes to the Enter Location
- Cowichan Co-op Grocery Store is now a Field's Grocery Store.
- Fishing: Crayfish & mussels are caught pretty-easily at Little Beach. There are lots. Just reach down and grab them.
- Mussels: Must be left in a bowl of fresh water over night before cooking them, to get out the river silt.
- Details
- Don't lock your keys in the car, or lose them in the river!!!
Questions:
- WHERE are the dangerous sections? Please INDICATE SPECIFICALLY on my map!
Dangerous/Unpassable Spots:
| Wedding Tubing. Thanks Jason! |
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