While traveling outback Australia, Nathan bumped into Mick Denigan from Mick's Whips and Leather Goods at the Mindil Beach Markets in Darwin, Northern Territory who was giving one of his famous whip cracking performances. Keen to have a crack at the whip himself, a Mick's stock whip was bought and many cracking techniques were learned over time. Cracking a stock whip wasn't all that interested Nathan, he wanted to make a stock whip himself but finance for leather was hard to come by.
Tube Whips' humble beginnings started when Nathan discovered Goolang Creek at the Nymboida Canoe Centre on his continuing travels around Australia. Tubing on Goolang's white water is great fun especially when a chain of tubers is formed and sent down the rapids. Although inner tubes are reasonably robust, the sharp rocks of Goolang Creek are no match for the already worn out inner tubes. A pile of discarded tubes, ready to be taken away for landfill, sparked the idea of making whips from these inner tubes.
The Nymboida Canoe Centre, home of one of the best white water facilities in New South Wales, recycles inner tubes from cars and trucks for the pleasure of their customers who tube downstream on these. Once these tubes become irreparable, Nathan recycles them once again and cuts the rubber tubes into strips to create his specialty... Tube Whips.
Tube whips are not only great for beginners but also for the intermediate and advance whip crackers. These whips will stand up to any amount of rain, hail or snow. The sound it produces is equal to, if not better than your average leather whip. Tube whips are strong, durable and affordable, making them a great gift for the whip cracking enthusiast.
Some of the handles are made from local hardwood timber, dried and either hand turned on a lathe, or simply sanded back and used as they are, keeping their original natural bush look which makes them unique. Recycled bailing twine is used for the crackers which comes in different colours.
Nathan recommends using a tube whip anytime, anywhere as it is not only an excellent recreational pastime but also a great focal point for discussion among whip crackers around the world.
Climbing on the tubes causes them to |
The tubes get a battering each time |
The rocks eventually puncture the inner tubes beyond repair. |
An old recycled inner tube |
Our whips implement the 3 R's. |
A finished tube whip, complete |
