Water sports tubing tips ...

The next time you or your family decide to go out boat tubing, keep these boating safety and water sports tubing tips in mind to make sure your experience is safe and enjoyable:

1. Always wear a PFD

While it's always a good idea to wear a PDF (personal flotation device) when onboard, it should go without saying that you should wear a life jacket when water tubing. This is especially important in the event that the rider should become separated from the boat.

2. Know your equipment

Be familiar with the capabilities of your water sports tubing equipment. It's important to follow to the manufacturer's recommendations for water tubing capacity in terms of size and weight, number of riders, age limits, and maximum towing speed.

3. Know your rider

It's also important to use common sense when it comes to the capability of your rider, especially when water sports tubing with small children. While sharp turns, high speeds, and big waves can be fun, these should never come at the expense of rider safety.

4. Use a spotter

Designate one person onboard as a "spotter", who can not only keep a lookout for water tubing accidents or to see if anyone has fallen off the tube, but can also help keep the boat driver informed at all times.

5. Be aware of water regulations

Make sure you are familiar with the specific regulations governing the body of water you're boat tubing on, in particular towing speeds.

6. Drive Responsibly

The driver should be alert, sober, and have a solid grasp of boating rules and regulations. Be respectful of and keep your distance from other boats in the area when water tubing, and always keep an eye out for additional water hazards such as rocks, docks, and buoys.

7. Use a secure tow line

Another important safety aspect of water tubing, it's important to always make sure that the tow line is securely tied before take off. Also be sure to check for signs of wear, tear, and fraying, and replace as needed. Be sure to only use rope that is specifically designated for towing inflatables.

8. Check before you start

Never start the boat without first making sure that your rider is ready to go. This means that they have a firm grip on the line, are properly positioned on the tube, and that the line is properly and safely positioned. When water tubing with multiple passengers, riders should understand how to balance their weight correctly and work together to safely stay on the tube.

9. Handle wakes with care

Slow the boat speed when crossing wakes. Bouncing off wakes at extremely high speeds has been known to cause back injury, especially with riders who are water tubing stomach-down.

Exercise caution when pulling more than one tube

It's especially important to travel at slower speeds and keep an extra careful eye out if you are boat tubing with more than one tube. Dual water sports tubing can often result in large crashes and serious accidents, should the tubes happen to collide.

Paws for a Cause at Pet Country Estate

On Sunday, Sept. 9th, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., come by Pet Country Estate for demonstrations, BBQ, entertainment, auction and more! Admission is $2 and all proceeds will go towards Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind. 9:30 am - Event begins 10 - 10:45 am - Agility demo 10:45 - 11 am - Obedience demo 11:15 - 12 - Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind. Meet "Happy" and "Maisey" and other working guide dogs 12 - 2 pm - Enjoy the BBQ to the sounds of The Kempencelts

Throughout the day, check out the pawsitively great vender displays and enjoy all kinds of entertainment. Bid on fabulous silent auction items and get your raffle tickets to win rizes 2 pm - Pet Country Estate Golden and Sheltie Parade 2:15 - 2:45 - Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind 2:45 - 3 - Last chance at silent auction and raffle 3 - 3:15 - Raffle prize winners announced 3:15 - 4 - South Simcoe Police Dog demo

4 - 4:30 - Silent auction items awarded (and all pups get a belly rub for a job well done!)