1 Person Tubes

Shapes, ropes and inflation

Single-rider tubes for towing one person at a time. Smaller, simpler and cheaper than multi-person tubes — but more exciting to ride because the rider’s weight isn’t spread across a bigger platform. Shape categories represented. Open deck / doughnut. The classic round or delta shape. Least stable, most exciting. The traditional first tube. Wing style. Flat deck with upturned side wings for stability through turns. Sit-on lounge. Armchair-style sit-in shape, more leisurely but still rides hard with an adult on it. What’s currently in here: KD Halo (with free rope), Jetpilot Whip, WOW Zig Zag, Radar River Fridge, Jobe Airstream, HO Tom Cat. Brand spread: KD, Jetpilot, WOW, Radar, Jobe and HO. Rope rating — critical. A 1 person tube needs a rope rated for at least 1 person. Never use a regular slalom ski rope on a tube — they’re not built for the same forces and can fail under load. Tube-specific ropes are thicker, plaited construction, and rated by person count. Standard length 60 feet / 18.25 metres to clear chine spray. Inflation matters for warranty. Fully-covered tube: inflate until the cover is pulled taut. Partially-covered: inflate until the bladder is wrinkle-free. Cooling effect of water can reduce pressure in the first few minutes — top up with a hand pump. After use, ALWAYS partially deflate — sun and heat rapidly increase pressure beyond the tube’s limits and can rupture it. Just enough air to maintain shape while drying. Boat vs jet ski. Works behind both, provided the jet ski has the power to tow at speed and the rope is appropriately rated. Some manufacturers specify boat-only or jet-ski-suitable — check the product page. Features worth looking for. Quick-connect rope attachment (faster swap between tubes, less wear on the rope). Boston valve (faster inflation and deflation). Padded handles and neoprene knuckle guards. Neoprene comfort deck for longer rides without rub.