I spotted this in yesterdays paper and though t it looked quite fun.

http://www.aaretubing.ch/home_en.htm

You can also stop off for a BBQ on the way which costs from CHF 25 pp. For 40 chufs, including all the safety gear I didnt think the price was bad either!

I've booked up for August, but if you have been please let me know what its like.

Happy tubing!

N

Just make sure you don't start tubing until after the railway bridge after Thun (due to dangerous rapids), and get out at Marzili or earlier! Ie, don't get into the dam in Bern (very dangerous!). Make sure you have a map of the river, and know in advance which turns you can get out at. And wear the safety gear, the Aare is dangerous even at the height of summer. (Sorry, being a lifeguard I have to stress this ).

Have fun!

No joke ! After that swiss army accident ...

Thanks Muze7.

I grew up (not literally) in the water, so i know the dangers out there. The exit point is just before Marzili, so we wont hit the dam. Certified life jackets are supplied, and you have a lead to the tube so you cant loose it. I wouldnt consider it if I didnt feel it was safe enough.

If anyone is considering it, then they also do guided tours if you are unsure of the way, and only strong swimmer should (and are allowed) to go.

I'd like to thank HDSpittal for booking a tubing trip with aaretubing.ch. I am an English expat and the owner of aaretubing.ch and i'd like to take this chance to put any safety issues to rest!

I have been working on this river (and many others in Switzerland) for the last 5 years and safety is paramount to my operation. Tubes can be safely ridden from Thun to Bern, even through the Uttigen wave, as they are specifically designed for white water and are surprisingly stable. However, if someone is concerned with the wave then there is also an option of starting directly under it. Lifejackets will ALWAYS be provide, as will a river map and a comprehensive safety instruction before the trip begins and on those colder days a wetsuit can also be requested! Guided trips are also on offer for those that would prefer that added bit of reassurance and all my guides are Swiss qualified white water rafting guides with additional Swift Water Rescue and CPR qualifications.

I hope that you, HDSpittal, will have a great time on the tubes (I'm sure you will!) and will pass the word around on this forum so more people will want to try this fun way of travelling between Thun and Bern!

Have fun!!

I just thought I would update you on how the tubing went...

In the end we set off from Uttigen, and ended up at Camping Eicholz in Bern, and I have to say I had a blast!

I went with 6 Irish guys, and we had some craic. The weather on Friday was a tad windy so we put on the short wetsuits to keep us cosy. Luckily we escaped any rain, and the whiter-than-white Irish even managed to get a farmers (or tubers) tan.

The Aare was around 18.5 degrees, so it was no problem to get out and go for a swim.

I would highly recommend it if anyones looking for something different to try out.

N