Get ready for thrills (and reduce the risk of spills) with these handy hacks
The cool, spring-fed waters of the Comal River offer a mostly leisurely, relaxed float. But the thrill level jumps up several notches at the famous tube chute.
That’s where tubers are diverted around a dam and rocketed through a concrete water slide into the river below. This built-in water slide is a favorite summer experience among tubers – especially those who know what to expect and are ready for it (if you’re not prepared, it can be memorable for less fun reasons, such as soaked phones and lost sunglasses).
Here are some tips to help you navigate the tube chute on your next float.
Be a strong swimmer or wear a life jacket. A day at the river starts with knowing how to swim. Weak swimmers must wear life jackets, which are available at any tubing outfitter or for free along the river before the tube chute. Lifeguards are on duty at the bottom of the tube chute daily during the summer months, but knowing how to swim is essential. It’s not uncommon for tubes to overturn, meaning there’s always a chance of ending up in the rushing water at the bottom of the chute. Be ready. Not a strong swimmer? New Braunfels offers plenty of other options for water fun, such as Schlitterbahn Waterpark or the free public splash pad at Fischer Park.
Use an outfitter. New Braunfels is home to several river outfitters that will rent you durable, quality tubes and provide life jackets. They typically offer on-site parking at no charge and provide shuttle service to and from the river. They’re also a great resource to make sure you are up to speed on the rules of the river and ready to ride the chute. You can also rent tubes from the city tube chute facility at Prince Solms Park (no shuttle service is provided with city tube rentals, so you need to talk back to Prince Solms Park from the tuber exit).
Stay low in your tube. Before you enter the chute, make sure your rear end is low in the center of your tube. That will ensure you’re not top-heavy and reduce the odds of flipping over when you splash into the fast-moving water at the end of the chute.
Float solo down the chute. While floating with friends, tubers sometimes rope their tubes to stay together. Make sure you disconnect from others before entering the chute. In the narrow confines of the chute, being tied together will greatly increase your chance of flipping and worse, being trapped under a mass of tubes at the bottom of the chute.
Don’t bring children younger than 4. For safety reasons, most outfitters will not allow children younger than 4 years old to float. In addition, weekends and holidays can be very crowded, with a more adult audience. The best days for families to float are Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, when the river is less crowded.
Wear river shoes. Wear river shoes to protect your feet. The Comal River is a natural waterway with rocks, mud, debris, and other elements that can be tough on bare feet, and flip-flops are easily lost in the tube chute and won’t stay on securely. Plus, the concrete at the river exit gets extremely hot during the summer, so river shoes are your best bet for comfort and safety.
Outsmart the eddy.
After shooting through the tube chute, you might get pulled into an eddy—a swirling pool of water that can keep you spinning instead of moving downstream. If this happens, stay calm and paddle toward the stairs on the riverbank near the lifeguard stand, then exit the water with your tube. Walk downstream past the eddy and re-enter the river to continue your float.
Pack the right items (no disposable containers are allowed on the river).
Disposable food and drink containers are illegal on the river, so pack wisely to avoid a hefty fine. That means no cans, glass, foam containers (such as convenience store drink cups or Styrofoam coolers), no volume drinking devices and no containers under 5 fluid ounces (such as Jell-O shot containers). Tubers who break the rules run the risk of a $500 fine, so be prepared with reusable food and drink containers. Be prepared for a leisurely float that could last a few hours depending on the water flow rate – bring hydrating beverages, snacks and sunscreen.
Leave your expensive items at home.
If an item in your tube is not secured, it just might end up in the water. Leave the expensive sunglasses at home, protect your keys and make sure your phone is in a floatable, waterproof case.
Still not sure? Walk around the tube chute.
If you’re not sure the tube chute is right for you, you can easily walk around it. Watch for signage along the river indicating that the chute is coming up and pointing to the stairs on the right side of the river. Exit with your tube there (use the handrails as the stairs may be slippery) and follow the path along the riverbank to a spot past the tube chute where you can re-enter the river. This is a great option for weaker swimmers, small children and anyone who wants to avoid the possibility of tipping over.
Can’t get enough of the tube chute?
You can enjoy the chute without floating the entire river! For an admission fee of $7, you can relax on the bank of the river at the chute and use the tube chute multiple times. No admission fee is required if you enter up-river from the tube chute.
Have a blast!
Riding the tube chute is a classic summer tradition in Texas. With a little preparation, you can make sure it’s memorable for all the right reasons!
Join us for a great summer fun experience on the water or at any of our iconic attractions. Plan your next New Braunfels adventure at www.visitnbtx.com.