ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, N.C. — The months between Memorial Day and Labor Day represent swim time. While North Carolinians enjoy escaping summer temperatures at the pool, beach, or river it's important to keep safety in mind.
In the Triad, hundreds of people enjoy floating down the rivers. The Dan River is a popular destination, but the fun can turn into a dangerous situation quickly, and over the years we've seen that unfold.
Back in 2021, five family members died while tubing. It happened when the family missed where to get off and went over the Duke Energy dam. In Surry County, back in April, a man died while helping family members who were struggling in the juncture of the Ararat and Yadkin Rivers. Most recently, Eden police officers saved a toddler from drowning after the 3-year-old fell off the boat dock steps and into the river.
Rockingham County, Emergency Services Director, Rodney Cates says the biggest safety tool people can use is a life jacket.
"We certainly don't want any tragedies to happen, and we try to put out the message every year: the number one way to prevent those tragedies is a personal floatation device," Cates continued, The personal floatation device is the key to a successful river launch whether you're in a water craft, a innertube, kayak, any type of floatation device down the river is your key to safety and security while maneuvering these rivers."
Mad Town Tubing is an outfitter in the Madison/ Mayodan area. Recreational Director, Lee Mitchell said last year nearly 90% of last year's customers were from out of town. People who live out of town face a certain risk, the unknown. Outfitters guide their customers, many bringing them to and from the on and off sections of the river. Outfitters also allow people to rent needed equipment like tubes and life jackets.
"We get a lot of people that do not ask for life jackets, because the thing that we hear is that they're a strong swimmer. Swimming in a pool and swimming in a lake is a lot different than a river. In a river you're dealing with currents, you're dealing with obstacles and moving water," explained Mitchell.
Officials recommend people do research before getting out on the water. They encourage people to know the river's dynamics and the day's weather forecast.
Cates recalled when it comes to water rescues, one of the major calls they have is people wanting to get off the river when a storm comes.
Mad Town Tubing also has a QR code for people to scan on their phones, it takes them to a video about the river and how to navigate it.