River Bugging
Encyclopedia
River Bugging is a whitewater
sport where a single person navigates a stretch of river in a craft known as a river bug. The river bug is a small inflatable craft with an inflatable tube at each side of the user and an inflatable back rest behind. The user sits between the tubes and can be secured into the craft by means of a waist strap.
The user would normally wear a wetsuit
, swim fins and paddle mitts whilst 'bugging'. The swim fins and paddle mitts are the only means of steering and propulsion as no paddle is carried on a river bug. Bugging is done 'feet first' which helps the user push off rocks etc whilst navigating the rapids of a river.
The river bug was inspired by the desire to improve on the practice of decending a river on an inner tube. http://www.wildwater.co.nz/introducing-the-bug/
River bugging is largely done as a sport organised by whitewater
rafting
activity providers. The sport originated in New Zealandhttp://active.visitscotland.com/activeoffers/water/3357995/
but is gaining popularity in the UK, and mainland Europe.
River bugs are also now being used for other activities such as bugpolo a sport similar to water polo
http://www.bugsports.org
Whitewater
Whitewater is formed in a rapid, when a river's gradient increases enough to disturb its laminar flow and create turbulence, i.e. form a bubbly, or aerated and unstable current; the frothy water appears white...
sport where a single person navigates a stretch of river in a craft known as a river bug. The river bug is a small inflatable craft with an inflatable tube at each side of the user and an inflatable back rest behind. The user sits between the tubes and can be secured into the craft by means of a waist strap.
The user would normally wear a wetsuit
Wetsuit
A wetsuit is a garment, usually made of foamed neoprene, which is worn by surfers, divers, windsurfers, canoeists, and others engaged in water sports, providing thermal insulation, abrasion resistance and buoyancy. The insulation properties depend on bubbles of gas enclosed within the material,...
, swim fins and paddle mitts whilst 'bugging'. The swim fins and paddle mitts are the only means of steering and propulsion as no paddle is carried on a river bug. Bugging is done 'feet first' which helps the user push off rocks etc whilst navigating the rapids of a river.
The river bug was inspired by the desire to improve on the practice of decending a river on an inner tube. http://www.wildwater.co.nz/introducing-the-bug/
River bugging is largely done as a sport organised by whitewater
Whitewater
Whitewater is formed in a rapid, when a river's gradient increases enough to disturb its laminar flow and create turbulence, i.e. form a bubbly, or aerated and unstable current; the frothy water appears white...
rafting
Rafting
Rafting or white water rafting is a challenging recreational outdoor activity using an inflatable raft to navigate a river or other bodies of water. This is usually done on white water or different degrees of rough water, in order to thrill and excite the raft passengers. The development of this...
activity providers. The sport originated in New Zealandhttp://active.visitscotland.com/activeoffers/water/3357995/
but is gaining popularity in the UK, and mainland Europe.
River bugs are also now being used for other activities such as bugpolo a sport similar to water polo
Water polo
Water polo is a team water sport. The playing team consists of six field players and one goalkeeper. The winner of the game is the team that scores more goals. Game play involves swimming, treading water , players passing the ball while being defended by opponents, and scoring by throwing into a...
http://www.bugsports.org