DAVENPORT, IOWA (July 25, 2019) — Early bird registration price of $15 expires July 31, 2019. Register by August 1 to be eligible for the drawing to win a Pelican Argo 100X kayak from Theisen’s. With registrations at the highest number ever last year, if everyone brings one friend along this year, we will crush the world record of largest flotilla of canoes and kayaks. Register now at www.riveraction.org/floatzilla. Official photo will be taken at Lake Potter at 2PM. World record for largest raft of kayaks and canoes is 3,150 boats. If you need a boat, outfitters will bring boats to launch sites and paddlers can rent from those listed on the website.
Due to the Coast Guard requirement to start all launches below the I-74 bridge construction area and the closing of Credit Island due to flood damage, we have added a new launch site this year. Launch from Lindsay Park Yacht Club, at the foot of Mound Street, Davenport. Boats launching from the Yacht Club will lock through at Locks and Dam 15. Lindsay Park is also the site for free tent camping this year, as Credit Island is undergoing restoration. Twenty-five safety boats will assist paddlers; the river will be closed to commercial barge-and-tow traffic during Floatzilla. Food, music, competitions, and games are scheduled for Saturday at Lake Potter, Sunset Marina in Rock Island, Illinois. Day-of-event registration is 10AM-1PM at Sunset Park. Buses will return paddlers to their vehicles at each launch site beginning at 3PM.
2019 Launch sites include:
- Leach Park, Bettendorf (Lock only) 8-10AM
- Bass Street YMCA (Portage only) 8-10AM
- Lindsay Park Yacht Club (Lock only) 9-10:30AM
- Marquette Street 9-11:30AM
- Lake Potter 10AM-2PM
Reserve camping and register online at www.riveraction.org/floatzilla.
Packet Pick-up will be at the TaxSlayer Center in Moline, Ill. 5-7PM, on Friday, August 16. An evening paddle led by the Quad Cities Kayakers Group will leave from the Bass Street YMCA at 6:30PM on August 16, so bring your boats to Packet Pickup and head over for a leisurely paddle in Sylvan Slough.
Cops, Kids, Kayaks, and Canoes
This program involves at-risk teens and local police officers who will buddy up one to one for the float. On August 5, at Scott County Park, the staff of Wapsi River Center will hold a paddling class for all participants. Instructors will make sure that the kids are comfortable in their boats and capable with their paddles. Each teen will be given a Floatzilla life jacket for use at the class, at Floatzilla, and to keep. Registration fees for officers and kids are covered by the program.
The officers of the Quad Cities police departments have volunteered their time to make Cops, Kids, Kayaks, and Canoes a unique outreach program for the community. The program will give these teens an opportunity to bond with local authority figures and learn new skills to enjoy our local waterways.
Teens interested in participating in the program should contact River Action at 563-322-2969.
For ALL PARTICIPANTS in 2019:
Floatzilla is partnering with the QC Symphony Orchestra Pops Concert for a discount for each paddler registered. The Queen Tribute Concert takes place just a few hours after Floatzilla on Arsenal Island. The Symphony is offering a $5 discount on concert tickets for registered paddlers. Coupon codes are available on the Floatzilla registration page when you register.
For more information: 563-322-2969 or visit www.riveraction.org/floatzilla.
