Bow float

[C_Dave45]

Gonna do a bow river float on Sunday. Anyone know roughly the float time from the Glenmore bridge down to Deer Run? I found one post that said 90 minutes from Glenmore down to the boat launch at Sikome Park. That seems quite fast.

[revelations]

Nah its more like 2+ hours.

[89s1]

river is flowing fast this year on the west side of the weir, i would assume its the same on the east/south side.

my floats have taken less time than usual this year, almost doubled up one day it was still so early.

[C_Dave45]

Originally posted by 89s1
river is flowing fast this year on the west side of the weir, i would assume its the same on the east/south side.

my floats have taken less time than usual this year, almost doubled up one day it was still so early.

Thats what I've noticed!!! Went down to the Southland Dog Park last night and the water was HIGH and MOVING!!! I might have to start up higher. Maybe go in at 17th Ave.

[C_Dave45]

Holy SHITE, the river is going to be busy today. Had to get another boat and only after about 2 hours driving to THREE different Canadian Tires did I find a store with stock. And there were about 20 other people grabbing boats, life jackets, etc. They were just flying off the shelves. What a perfect day for a float. High of 30 degrees today.

[Cooked Rice]

Bass Pro has some rafts as well.

[Tik-Tok]

Tubes are probably a bad idea for the Bow right?

[msommers]

We end up renting rafts from the Outdoor Centre. They're heavy duty and and a very comfortable 3 person raft (4 person I think). When you divide up the rent cost, it's cheap. Their high volume pump is ridiculous! I guess it depends how often you float for it to really be worthwhile to buy your own. Nothing is more frustrating than to buy a $50 raft from crappy tire and it tears the first go.

http://www.calgaryoutdoorcentre.ca/g...k_raft_rentals

[C_Dave45]

Originally posted by Tik-Tok
Tubes are probably a bad idea for the Bow right?

*shrug*....I don't know, it's not like you hit any rapids. The water is quite cold though. So your ass would get chilled. As long as you had a life jacket on (with you). Other than that, a tube is just uncomfortable.

So anyways, our trip yesterday: We put in under the Glenmore bridge at 3:00 oclock. We floated down to HERE and it was a 2 hour float. We took one little canal, but other than that, stayed on the main river. Water was very high and quite fast. I'd say at least 10 km/hr. But it was a total blast. Next time I'll go in just below the weir at 17th Ave.

[wintonyk]

I am planning on a going for a float this afternoon in a bit. Anyone have a raft and jackets they can lend for beer? Everywhere seems to be sold out. And my raft is at a friends place but he is out of town.

[CompletelyNumb]

I always use an inflatable air mattress when I go haha. Nothin beats laying down in the sun with a 6er next to you

[C_Dave45]

Haha...am JUST now driving along deerfoot looking at a flew floaters thinking we should do a float tomorrow. Opened up beyond and I see this post.

[Benny]

Originally posted by CompletelyNumb
I always use an inflatable air mattress when I go haha. Nothin beats laying down in the sun with a 6er next to you

Just remember to get that 6er off the raft (or mattress in this case) pretty quick if the cops come around. I don't think they take too kindly to that kinda thing.

Best idea (uh... or so my friends tell me ) is to just make a liquor-melon. Take a watermelon, cut a big hole in it and jam an open mickey of vodka in the hole. Let her sit for a few days to let the booze soak in and then you're sitting pretty. "No officer, we don't have any liquor onboard these are just some watermelon slices".

[CompletelyNumb]

Fair enough. Usually I float the red deer river though, haven't had any troubles yet

[C_Dave45]

Originally posted by Benny


Just remember to get that 6er off the raft (or mattress in this case) pretty quick if the cops come around. I don't think they take too kindly to that kinda thing.

Best idea (uh... or so my friends tell me ) is to just make a liquor-melon. Take a watermelon, cut a big hole in it and jam an open mickey of vodka in the hole. Let her sit for a few days to let the booze soak in and then you're sitting pretty. "No officer, we don't have any liquor onboard these are just some watermelon slices".

I was a little worried about that. I only took along a few beer and was willing to take the risk of a fine. I had a big blue cooler mounted right on top of our boat in plain sight. The cops (F&R, CO...whatever) went by us three times. The only thing they did was signal if we had our life jackets with us. I held them up, (we weren't wearing them) and they gave us a "thumbs up" and carried right on.
It pays to be an old dude!