For the Newbie who want to try tubing

Pick A Good Float Tube

Not all float tubes are created equal. Three main types of belly boats exist on the market: the original round design, the U-tube design and the pontoon design. The original round float tubes consist of a truck tire inner-tube sheathed in nylon cloth with pockets. They work in a pinch, but are a poor choice for stream fishing. Their design makes it difficult for you to get out of the boat in shallow water. Round float tubes can also flip over in current and pin you upside down.

The U-boat, which is open in the front and forms a semicircle around the angler, is a better choice. These are more expensive than the round design, but are safer to use. They are lightweight and easy to carry to the stream.

The pontoon design, however, is the best choice for floating streams. The pontoon style employs two pontoons that feature a spreader bar in front of the angler, and a backrest for more comfort on longer floats. A pontoon design is easy to get in and out of, especially in shallow water. You can prop their legs over the spreader bar and float through shallow shoals. Some anglers drill a hole in the end of a small wooden oar, run a piece of rope through it and tie a carabineer to the end of the rope. They next attach the carabineer to the D-rings on a belly boat so that they can maneuver in current without having to worry about losing the oar. Other anglers wear flippers on their feet to control their belly boats on streams, but a pair of wading boots or plain work boots do best in flowing water. The thick soles of these boots protect your feet from impacting rocks. Flippers make exiting the boat difficult on slick rocks in current or in shallow water.

Article from About.com Thank you

Hey jeff nice simple read I agree, u-tube or pontoon is the best way to go. For all the new guys stay away from the round tubes. I am sure some feel they are fine and I don't think that they are unsafe, I just feel much more safer in anything but a doughnut.

I had my wife fish in a doughnut years back for her first time in the water. I was freaked for her all went just fine, but after that trip i bought her a u-shape to many concerns of safety for me.

Oh ya you want to keep her safe right, that is cool she wanted to get out there with you.

Ya she stayed safe, we went to Irvine when we pulled up in the early afternoon we got to the water and saw white caps everywhere. The wind was high but I said lets go or it, got here in the water and she blow ways I got in and chased her down straighten her out and said ok here we go, follow me I started kicking and she did to. Problem was she was still going the wrong way. The whole trip lasted a hole Hour and half.
Cool thing was after that screw up, she went again and we fished Laguna Niguel and Puddingstone.
That was it though she wont go anymore it was fun at the time maybe she will go again one day