The new Riverbugs are challenging old ideas on what is a good river tube and what they should be capable of doing! 

 

River Tubes have traditionally not been taken seriously when it comes to running river rapids. This is for a very good reason!

  

A small craft like a river tube has to be very mobile and agile to avoid obstacles in a rapid, that a bigger craft would handle, and the basic round river tube is too slow and clumsy to do this. Also the basic tube being as long as it is wide, tips over backwards or forwards in breaking waves and drops.

 

These problems have been solved with the Riverbug design, making a very capable small craft. There are other improvements too, like all round protection for the body against rocks, a stowage compartment, and armchair type comfort.

 

RIVERBUG DESIGNS

There are currently two models of Riverbug:

1. The Standard Riverbug is the all purpose bug, and is stable and easy to use. It is the ideal bug for beginners and intermediates to use on a river, whether it is a float trip, or involves rapids.   Experienced bug paddlers can run Grade 3 river rapids in standard Riverbugs.
2. The Superbug is the high performance craft for those who like to play hard and run harder rivers.  (Check out our Superbug page)

 

WHY A RIVERBUG

• Sunny Day Bug: A Bug is very easy to get into and out of on the water, so for those hot lazy drift trips a Bug cannot be beaten.
• Great for Learners: A Bug is a simple craft for beginners, and with instruction and guidance they can very quickly be running moderately hard rapids.
• Self Rescue: If capsized in a rapid, a Bug can be used like a body board to get to the bottom of the rapid, before getting back in
• Big on small rivers: Don't bludgeon your way down those small rivers on a big raft or cataraft!  Show some finesse and include a Riverbug in your choice of river craft.
• Easily Carried: Weighing 14lbs (7kg) they are great for walk in, Bug out trips.
• Superbugs Rock & Roll: The high performance Superbug design is the ultimate small inflatable play craft and exceeds what even a high performance inflatable sit-on-top kayak can do. (Check out our Superbug page)

 

COMMERCIAL USERS

A number of Rafting Companies in NZ and the UK guide clients down rivers in Riverbugs. They are ideal in small busy rivers and people love having their own craft.   Check out www.rafting.co.uk & www.kiwixtreme.com

 

River Tubing Rental Companies should consider the Riverbug for their premium tube. What other tube can offer such comfort, ease of propulsion, stowage, protection and good looks?

 

 

CATARAFT COUSINS

Catarafts and Riverbugs both navigate rivers by ferry-gliding at an angle to the current. A person who has learnt their river skills on one type of craft can more easily transfer to the other. They also compliment each other. The catarafts are better on bigger faster rivers, and riverbugs thrive on small rivers with tight technical rapids. Every riverbugger should have a cataraft, and every catarafter a riverbug.

 

 

CONCLUSION

Because of their size Riverbugs excel on small rivers. Nevertheless, it is a question of when, not if, famous big water runs like the Grand Canyon will be done in a Bug!

 

FACTS

A Riverbug stands ~5 ft high (1.5 m) when on it's pointed ends.

It weighs 15lbs (7kgs) if constructed of heavy duty materials.

It has a stowage compartment of ~1 cubic foot.

For experienced paddlers a quick release waistband is available for the standard Riverbug.

 

 

We are extremely proud that in their 10 years of use no Riverbug has been the cause of any life threatening injuries. They should not be considered any safer than other craft doing similar activities, however.

 

(click to enlarge)

(click to play)

PC | Mac

PC | Mac

PC | Mac

PC | Mac

PC | Mac

PC | Mac

PC | Mac

PC | Mac