Floatzilla – the largest paddle event on the Mississippi River – is returning this summer with hopes of breaking a record and become the largest raft of canoes and kayaks.
Floatzilla 2023, scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 19, will go for the world record with more “investments” and improvements to the event, according to event organizers. (All the proceeds from the event go toward River Action’s mission of fostering a more prosperous river and riverfront.)
The Floatzilla board of directors has made updates in this year’s event, including hiring a full-time event manager to oversee the operation, improving logistics and safety measures, expanding marketing efforts, and launching a new website at floatzillaqc.org.
“Our goal is to make Floatzilla 2023 the most unforgettable event on the Mississippi River,” said Michael Corsiglia, events program manager at River Action. “With the new investment, we are confident that we will break the ‘Guinness World Record’ for the largest raft of canoes and kayaks and bring huge media attention to the mission of River Action and the Quad Cities in general.”
The world record for the largest raft of canoes and kayaks is 3,151, according to the new Floatzilla website.
Here are the six launch site locations in the Quad Cities:
- Leach Park, Bettendorf; launch 7-11 a.m.
- Bass Street YMCA, Moline; launch 7-11 a.m.
- Lindsay Park Yacht Club, Davenport; launch 8 a.m.-noon.
- Lake Potter, Rock Island, Lake only; no river paddling.
- Credit Island, Davenport; launch 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Empire Park, East Moline; launch 7-8:30 a.m.
- Main Street, Davenport; launch 9 a.m.-noon.
Floatzilla also is partnering with Alternating Currents to have live music at the Main Street Launch site in downtown Davenport and to collaborate on marketing materials to bring in out-of-towners. A free kayak fishing tournament also will be held at Credit Island in Davenport on Friday, Aug. 18, from 5 to 7 p.m. The person who catches the largest fish will win a tackle box from K&K Hardware. Participants will receive free worms and a yardstick from
K&K Hardware to measure their catch.
Other details on Floatzilla include:
- Floatzilla and the City of Davenport are offering camping on Credit Island and at Lindsay Park near the Lindsay Park yacht club launch site. Tent camping only. No open fires allowed. Cost is $12 per tent.
- Floatzilla packet pickup and registration will take place 2-7 pm., Friday, Aug. 18, at Credit Island Lodge. Late pickup is 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at all launch sites.
- It costs $30 to register for Floatzilla through Tuesday, June 13. After that date, registration will increase to $35.
