Tow Tethers
Towing Kayaks, People & Inflatables
As a kayak river guide with Green River Adventures I’m leading 12 or more inflatable kayaks down river regularly. Leading primarily beginners to intermediate recreational kayakers a tow tether is quite useful when things go wrong. In some rare cases I’ve needed to tow a person in a kayak down river to safety. In other not so rare cases I choose to tow abandoned inflatable tubes as an act of river clean up. Given my regular towing needs, my minimalistic multi-use approach and the risk associated with this type of river tool, I designed a practical tow tether with safety in mind that can also be used as a pet leash.
Design & Focus
The primary design focus for the O2P tow tether was safety, strength and packability. I needed a tow tether with strength to pull both kayaks and people. I’ve had the pleasure of towing 2 tandem inflatable kayaks with 4 people (2×2) at the same time using my O2P tow tether.
I also needed a tow tether to be small and compact to more easily store in my PFD (personal flotation device) side pocket thus increasing safety from snags and entanglement.
Lastly, the tow tether had to be smooth and without knots with a tight carabiner loop hole to further increase both safety and packability.
Quality & Construction
My original tow tether design or prototype is still in use today and is dedicated to my river guide rescue PFD. This will be the third year of use without any issues or failures.
I designed the end loops with purpose, one small loop for a carabiner and one large loop for the boat, PDF rescue ring or your hand which doubles as the pet leash grab handle.
I sew the end loops by hand with poly thread in a rectangle and X pattern (⌧). Double stitched both top and bottom, single stitched both sides and the X. I’ve not had one break from the stitching yet.
Select Materials
From a safety perspective I as well as many others from the paddling community prefer a screw lock style carabiner. O2P tow tethers come with your choice of one NRS Sliq (small) or Nug (large) screw lock carabiner. You only need one for my tow tether. If you already have a carabiner I offer just the tether for purchase.
Blue Water 1″ Tubular Nylon Climb-Spec webbing is the best option for the tether material in my opinion due to strength but I have made a number of tethers with Flat Woven Nylon and they perform very well. The choice is yours. O2P tow tethers come in 5′ and 3′ lengths.
How It Works?
Are you wondering how a single carabiner tow tether works? Based upon my design you can use the O2P 5′ tow tether 4 different ways.
1. Slide the large loop end under a grab or security handle or wherever you’d like to attach to the kayak/boat then feed the carabiner small loop end through the large loop. Once attached simply connect the carabiner to your PFD rescue ring and you’re ready to tow.
2. Connect the carabiner directly to a grab or security handle or wherever you’d like to attach to the kayak/boat then simply hold or slide your arm through the large loop to your elbow and tow away.
3. Prefer a shorter tow tether? Feed the large loop end under a grab or security handle or wherever you’d like to attach to the kayak/boat, then attach the carabiner to the large loop. Simply attach the carabiner to your PFD rescue ring, now you’re ready to tow with a 2.5′ tether.
4. For more regular usage or always connected to your PFD, slide the large loop end through your PFD rescue ring then feed the carabiner small loop end through the large loop and pull tight. Then simply use the carabiner to attach to the kayak/boat grab or security handle to tow.
Shorty Tether
I also make a shorter 3′ tow tether for playboat and short boat paddlers. Same single carabiner rugged minimalistic design just half the length to increase safety and control when towing from a shorter kayak/boat.
Works in the same manner as the 5′ tow tether and still doubles as a shorter pet leash. Packs a little tighter as well for those paddlers with slimmer more compact style PFD’s.
Tow Selectively!
Keep in mind: Tow tethers are considered to be very dangerous especially when paddling strong white water. Anytime you attach or tether to something on the river you’re putting yourself at high risk against #1 the current which can change unexpectedly, #2 lack of control of the kayak/boat your tethered to especially if it’s full of water and #3 unforeseen river features/obstacles which will arrive quicker since you’ll be moving slower.
I use a tow tether very selectively as a last resort in most cases. In a rescue situation I prefer to bulldoze a kayak/boat to the rivers edge or a large calm eddy then I’ll consider towing up river or across river if I can navigate safely. I never attach a tow tether to a kayak/boat in the middle of a gnarly rapid, my safety is much more important.
When I choose to tow I always attach the carabiner to my PFD rescue ring to more easily and safely disconnect in the event of sudden danger. Yourself and swimmers are most important to rescue, kayaks/boats and gear can be replaced. Always tow selectively and safely!
Wanna Place A Custom Order?
Which Tow Tether Length, Carabiner Size/Color and Webbing Selection do you Prefer?
Osborne2paddle offers custom orders based upon materials available at time of order. Contact me and we’ll discuss options and materials I have in stock or need to order. I’m open to your ideas, just let me know how I can better create the perfect tow tether for you!
Purchase From Current Inventory
Tow Tether with Carabiner $40 | Tow Tether without Carabiner $20 | Local Pick-Up Available
Not terribly picky, just wanna purchase a tow tether and get on the river? Easy peasy… that works great for me. Take a look at my current tow tether inventory then contact me to let me know which one you want. Carabiners can be easily changed if you prefer a different size or color.
Photography Credits (top to bottom): Mark Denney | Rich Osborne | JC Hulings Photography
Let's Talk
Have questions? I’m typically open to talk about paddling, gear, rivers, guiding, instruction, opportunities and how I can help.