RIVERBUG
The riverbug is the coolest new innovation to hit the white water scene since kayaks got shorter than 250cm! This revolutionary boat design has redefined what a white water craft looks like and how rivers can be run. The funky looking riverbug is packed full of features that make it not only fun to paddle, but also an extremely capable river runner that excels in technical white water and will run pretty much what a kayak can and more…
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What ?
Designed in New Zealand, the Riverbug is around1.5m long and weighs 7kg. The banana shaped inflatable hulls are made of tough PVC/Urethane material and the seat out of closed cell foam. An air pillow underneath the backrest cover provides extra floatation and can be partially deflated to make space for extra equipment or replaced with a dry bag for overnight trips. Riverbugs are easily assembled and taken apart and can be rolled up to a compact, easily transportable package.
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The Riverbug comes in two models.
The STANDARDBUG has larger volume tubes making it very stable, and a great choice for beginners and commercial riverbug tours. It has 3 different seating positions and an adjustable Velcro lap belt to make getting in and out a simple task. Grab a Standardbug and head to the river for some serious fun….
The SUPERBUG is narrower than the Standardbug and has lower volume elliptical shaped tubes. It is extremely responsive and easily Eskimo rolled when capsized. Releasable thigh straps give additional security when river running, and transfer body movements better when rolling and performing tricks. The Superbug is a high performance craft that excels in the hands of experts.
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How ?
Riverbugging is easily learned once you master the basics…
Sitting upright on the foam seat between the two hulls, riverbugs are paddled using surf fins (flippers) on your feet and special neoprene web-fingered gloves on your hands. You navigate rapids using a combination of “reverse ferry glide” (like rowing a boat), drifting, and “point and go” techniques. The riverbug is incredibly maneuverable and you to catch micro-eddies and run technical whitewater with ease. Tricks like; surfing, pirouetting, cartwheeling, dive-rolls and loops are relatively easy to learn with a bit of practice. Rolling is just like the kayak hand roll only easier.
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Why?
$$$:
Set up costs for riverbugging are low. Apart from your riverbug you need only: wetsuit, booties, PFD, helmet, flippers (surf fins), gloves and a small pump. Set up costs for commercial riverbug tours are similar to rafting tours. Riverbugs would make a great addition to any kayak club’s hire fleet, or private paddlers looking to try something different.
Convenience
The riverbug's weight and size are huge advantages when it comes to international travel and getting to the river. Your riverbug flies with your regular luggage, so you won’t be paying “oversize”. To get to the river simply throw your riverbug in the back of your car or pack it into a backpack for walk-in trips. |
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Possibilities.
Don’t stop paddling just because the rivers are low! Riverbugging is just as much fun on low volume white water as in bigger water. Tour operators will relish the possibilities to run trips on rivers unsuitable for kayaking or rafting, or to use riverbugging as an alternative in the dry season. For the adventurous expert the first descents are waiting…. |
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Easy to learn.
Riverbugging is much easier to learn than kayaking. After some basic instruction most beginners are ready to tackle grade 2-3 whitewater on their first time out.
Freedom!
With riverbugging all your limbs are free to move. There’s no paddle to hold on to and legs aren’t stuck inside a boat. Both your hands and feet have contact with the water and are used for propulsion and turning, giving the “riverbugger” an intimate connection with the river.
Safety.
Riverbugs have some unique safety features. Riverbugs don’t fill up with water when you fall out and you can get back on them even in the middle of rapids. You can use your hands and feet to push away from hazards and you are less likely to get surfed in hydraulics or pinned against objects than with bigger volume boats. If you take a swim, the surf fins and webbed gloves you’re wearing will make self rescue easier.
Different. Yes, riverbugging is DEFINATELY different!
Where?
The riverbug is extremely versatile and can be used almost anywhere there’s water! You can play “bugpolo” in a swimming pool, surf your local play wave, go “creek bugging” and even paddle big volume whitewater. Beginners and intermediate paddlers will love the selection of bugable rivers and experts will revel in the chance to challenge themselves on the harder runs.
Who?
People from all walks of life can enjoy riverbugging. Joining a commercial riverbug tour is a great way to check out. Taking a beginners course is a good idea if you’d like to get into the sport. Non-kayakers could take a riverbug and join their friends on kayak trips, and for experienced kayakers – the challenge of a new way of getting down river!
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Riverbug
