Going river floating...what should I wear?

MysticMaiden22
MysticMaiden22 Posts: 324 Member
I'm going river floating in Northeast Oklahoma over Labor day weekend. Being a fat girl with a tummy and large breasts, I'm a little self-concious about what I should wear. Any suggestions for swimwear?

And what should I do about shoes? I mostly own flip-flops for the beach...but what should I buy for the river?

Replies

  • Get a pair of watershoes or wear an old pair of tennies. There are rocks on the bottoms of rivers and they hurt if you step on them.

    Get a giant straw hat or something if you feel self concious.

    I like tankinie's :) Feel more covered.

    Have fun, don't stress about what your wearing. Enjoy the day.

    Sarah
  • summerof1979
    summerof1979 Posts: 97 Member
    I'm going there too...I'm wearing beads lmao!
  • DashDeV
    DashDeV Posts: 545 Member
    A life jacket.
  • megalin9
    megalin9 Posts: 771 Member
    You may also want to consider a light or mesh long-sleeve shirt. If you're going floating, I assume you mean innertubing? If so, your arms rubbing on the innertube for so long could cause chaffing and become very uncomfortable.

    SUNSCREEN!

    Definitely water shoes or old tennis shoes. Do NOT go barefoot or wear flip-flops.

    And a lot of people might not agree with me on this, but PLEASE wear a life jacket. So many people who are inexperienced with the river think that they will just stay in their float and don't need a life jacket because it's big and bulky. And then, they hit some rapids or get caught in some tree roots or whatever, flip and drown. Happens every year where I'm from.
  • megalin9
    megalin9 Posts: 771 Member
    A life jacket.

    Thank God.
  • Laces_0ut
    Laces_0ut Posts: 3,750 Member
    A life jacket.

    hell no. nobody wears life jackets when "river floating".


    btw is that the way its commonly referred to where the OP is from? all i ever hear it called is "tubing". even if a tube is never used. in full disclosure ive only gone a couple times.
  • kbauman09
    kbauman09 Posts: 40 Member
    It's nice to have some shorts (the kind that don't get heavy in the water) to put over your bathing suit bottoms. I never wear them, but every time I go tubing, I think "I should get some of those!" Have a great time and don't worry about what you're wearing! :)
  • tj1376
    tj1376 Posts: 1,402 Member
    If your going on the Illinois, been there, done that. It was fun and no you dont need a life vest. The water isnt very deep and it normally doesn't run very fast.

    I wore a pair of shorts, a bathing suit, sunscreen and maybe a hat or bandana. You can wear flip flops since most of the time you will be in the water, but there are places where you can get out and sit on the shore to have lunch or just relax.

    The only thing I would caution, if your bringing electronics or food, put them in a plastic bag. The river does have tree stumps in it and sometimes you will get snagged and flip over.
  • TribeHokie
    TribeHokie Posts: 711 Member
    A lot more sunscreen then you think you'll need! Unless you're going to be in a jungle you're basically laying in the sun for a couple hours with water all around you to reflect the rays back at you from all angles. I had a roommate in college who was in agony for several days because she didn't apply enough sunscreen before river tubing.
  • kckBxer396
    kckBxer396 Posts: 460 Member
    I'm on and/or in the water at least twice a week. When I go Kayaking, I wear five fingers, Komodo to be more specific. They are more of an all sport version, have hard soles that grip well, they're not heavy when they're wet, they're not slick,and they have great flexibility.

    Here's an example: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vibram-Five-Fingers-Komodo-Sport-LS-Womens-size-40-Excellent-Clean-Condition-/251313013256?pt=US_Women_s_Shoes&hash=item3a836c4208

    If you can't find a cheaper pair, or don't think you will use them often enough to justify the price, go to wal-mart, k-mart, or somewhere similar and buy some water shoes. They're not the prettiest ever,but they will protect your feet from rocks,sticks,et cetera. Unlike sneakers, they're not going to be heavy when you get them wet,and they dry quickly.

    As far as clothing goes, I generally wear my bikini under a quick drying tank top ,dry-fit shirt, something that is 100% polyester,or capilene. I wear board shorts. My favorite pair is about mid thigh length,but I bought a looser pair in order to roll them up if I wanted some extra sun. You can easily buy a pair that is shorter.

    Overall, I think my biggest suggestion is, don't wear a lot of cotton! Take a change of clothes with you, or something to slip on after you get out of the water,but cotton will hold in water, stretch out, weigh you down, and doesn't dry quickly.
  • lilRicki
    lilRicki Posts: 4,555 Member
    When I tube, I wear surf shorts, a sports bra, a tank top, a hat and water shoes
  • Excuse_less
    Excuse_less Posts: 874 Member
    Hopefully a lot of beads by the end.........wait..........wrong trip

    Sunscreen
  • summerof1979
    summerof1979 Posts: 97 Member
    Hopefully a lot of beads by the end.........wait..........wrong trip

    Sunscreen

    Nope not the wrong trip, we all had beads before and after lol.
  • Factory_Reset
    Factory_Reset Posts: 1,651 Member
    A smile
  • cutchro
    cutchro Posts: 396 Member
    When I tube, I wear surf shorts, a sports bra, a tank top, a hat and water shoes

    ^^this... besides I highly doubt you will be the only one there feeling like you do. Just wear what you will be comfortable in and enjoy yourself! :happy:
  • snowmanluv
    snowmanluv Posts: 200 Member
    Watershoes/old tennis shoes...flip flops will float. Shorts over swim suit. sunscreen...lots.
  • MysticMaiden22
    MysticMaiden22 Posts: 324 Member

    hell no. nobody wears life jackets when "river floating".


    btw is that the way its commonly referred to where the OP is from? all i ever hear it called is "tubing". even if a tube is never used. in full disclosure ive only gone a couple times.

    Yeah, in California we call it "river floating." :) However most of the rivers out here are the fake rivers at the casinos...and that's called "lazy river floating." LOL
  • MysticMaiden22
    MysticMaiden22 Posts: 324 Member
    And a lot of people might not agree with me on this, but PLEASE wear a life jacket. So many people who are inexperienced with the river think that they will just stay in their float and don't need a life jacket because it's big and bulky. And then, they hit some rapids or get caught in some tree roots or whatever, flip and drown. Happens every year where I'm from.

    That's pretty scary! I'll keep that in mind!
  • MysticMaiden22
    MysticMaiden22 Posts: 324 Member
    Hopefully a lot of beads by the end.........wait..........wrong trip

    Sunscreen

    LOL I'll be with my boyfriend and his family soooo probably not!
  • scottstephens79
    scottstephens79 Posts: 77 Member
    don't forget to sunscreen your legs, I just went rafting on Saturday and my legs are still burned :-/
  • MysticMaiden22
    MysticMaiden22 Posts: 324 Member
    If your going on the Illinois, been there, done that. It was fun and no you dont need a life vest. The water isnt very deep and it normally doesn't run very fast.

    I wore a pair of shorts, a bathing suit, sunscreen and maybe a hat or bandana. You can wear flip flops since most of the time you will be in the water, but there are places where you can get out and sit on the shore to have lunch or just relax.

    The only thing I would caution, if your bringing electronics or food, put them in a plastic bag. The river does have tree stumps in it and sometimes you will get snagged and flip over.

    Yep, we're headed to the Illinois river in Tahlequah. Good to know that I won't need a life vest! I'm definitely doing the plastic bag thing!
  • Derpina7
    Derpina7 Posts: 552 Member
    I just went tubing over the weekend!! Tank tops are great for covering up, watershoes are good to if you can find them, I usually just wear sandals with a buckled ankle strap (don't bring too much or wear anything too nice because it's very possible you can loose things or ruin them!)
  • Focusedjessy
    Focusedjessy Posts: 114 Member
    sunscreen, sandals, shorts and a flattering bathing suit top that will give a decent tan line. have fun i love river floating.
  • dvelocity
    dvelocity Posts: 309 Member
    Where I am from when we say floating we mean going down the river in either canoes or large pastic rafts that hold eight people. The canoes tip but the rafts don't. it really is just a large party floating down the river with many pit stops to people watch.

    Where what you feel comforatble in but easy dry stuff was a great recommendation.
  • MysticMaiden22
    MysticMaiden22 Posts: 324 Member
    Thanks for all the tips, everyone! I think I've decided on wearing a large straw hat, sunglasses, a tank top, swimsuit, boardshorts, and water shoes (I saw some great ones on Amazon made by Speedo). I definitely won't be skimping on the sunscreen!

    And a special thanks to those of you who mentioned that others might feel how I feel and to just have fun....that made me feel better :)
  • Jewels_in_the_rough
    Jewels_in_the_rough Posts: 39 Member
    I've been floating several times this summer. Being self conscious and not even owning a swimsuit of any kind, I just wear a tank top and some shorts of some kind. I bring flip flops for walking to/ from the river, and put them in a small bag that I tie to my tube and go barefoot during the actual float. But it doesn't really matter, just make yourself comfortable.
  • ldrosophila
    ldrosophila Posts: 7,512 Member
    Girl youre young and cute get you an adorable suit. I'd say bikini if you were going with a bunch of guys, but if you arent comfortable they make suits in so many styles.

    Try onlye lane bryant, hips and curves, old navy, or google sexy plus size swim suits, You'll find a ton!

    Get a cute pair of glasses, a cute floppy hate, and have fun! PS dont forget to get or do a cute pedicure.
  • MysticMaiden22
    MysticMaiden22 Posts: 324 Member
    Girl youre young and cute get you an adorable suit. I'd say bikini if you were going with a bunch of guys, but if you arent comfortable they make suits in so many styles.

    Try onlye lane bryant, hips and curves, old navy, or google sexy plus size swim suits, You'll find a ton!

    Get a cute pair of glasses, a cute floppy hate, and have fun! PS dont forget to get or do a cute pedicure.

    I forgot all about looking at Lane Bryant and Old Navy! Thanks!