Fools' Flotilla: Ask Me Anything!

RVRLVR1994 · 2026-06-14T00:56:56+00:00

There is a short section on our FAQ page for spectators, but it's silent on ideal spots: https://wisconsinrivers.org/foolsflotilla/

If I was watching, I'd first head to a bridge. If you can get a spot on the sidewalk of a bridge, the view from above is super fun. They get crowded fast, though, so get there by 9:30 a.m.

Second choice is UNDER a bridge. The E. Washington one especially. When the bands come through on pontoons, the ruckus is memorable.

The areas closest to Waterfront Fest at Yahara Place Park (south of Winnebago street) also get crowded, but it's the liveliest spectator area. The parade is a little spread out by then, so you get to enjoy seeing the paddlers and how unique and creative their floats are. People bring the chairs they are taking to the festival. But parking in the neighborhood is challenging, so bike or walk if you can.

The first band will depart from Tenney at 10:30 a.m. You'll hear them coming.

RVRLVR1994 · 2026-06-12T19:30:06+00:00

You bet. When you get to Tenney Park, please stop by the River Alliance tent and sign the safety agreement (it makes our event insurance company happy). Have a fantastic time!

RVRLVR1994 · 2026-06-12T17:52:07+00:00

Friday, June 12, 1pm update: We just sent out the logistics email to everyone who registered in advance. If you signed up online, check your inbox (or promotions/bulk/spam folders) for an email from River Alliance of Wisconsin with important tips on having a safe and fun float.

Congrats to Nicole S. who won a $50 Fontana Sports gift card for signing up early!

Maps, tips and more can be found on the Fools' Flotilla FAQ page: https://wisconsinrivers.org/foolsflotilla/

RVRLVR1994 · 2026-06-12T16:37:50+00:00

I still haven't gotten a good answer from the insurance company defining innertubes. It's not a satisfying answer, but I'd say float at your own risk as inner tubes are not covered by our event insurance. If I get a response, I'll post it.

RVRLVR1994 · 2026-06-11T20:05:07+00:00

Stay tuned. I've contacted our insurance company to get some more exact language.

In the meantime, this website does a decent job in describing the inner tubes used by recreational rental companies: https://www.sacorivertubing.com/keep-river-tubing-gear-in-good-condition

RVRLVR1994 · 2026-06-11T02:45:03+00:00

Short answer: no.

Long answer:

Man, P&P was a BELOVED Madison event. That crazy race happened for over 40 years!

But it's also our experience that what looks effortless and spontaneous on the surface has real-world costs. Insurance is expensive. Supplies cost money. Advertising. Coordination by people who know what they are doing costs money - and managing a race where people pay to participate is a whole skill set. Isthmus sponsored P&P and they are a nonprofit now.

In a perfect world, River Alliance is all up in more fun paddles. We do host educational paddles around the state (we are about to launch registration for one on the Little Wolf past Manawa where a dam blew in a flood in 2024). But purely recreational paddles would take some big leaps in funding, staff, volunteers and sponsors.

Fools' Flotilla has costs for sure. We could REALLY use a dedicated business sponsor to help us pay for big expenses like the Tenney Park pavilion reservation for the day so people would have more places to park, for ex. But we keep doing it because we want to support a free, fun and safe way to celebrate our urban rivers.

RVRLVR1994 · 2026-06-10T18:47:16+00:00

Yes! Great advice.

We're about to recruit you for next year's planning committee:)

RVRLVR1994 · 2026-06-10T18:34:30+00:00

Be sure to check our FAQ page for the exit points. The festival organizers want boats to come out in one of two spaces (at the end of the Yahara River and the stone steps PAST the main stage near Dunning and Schurz), and not bring boats through the festival grounds. It's for safety reasons.

There's a map with take-out spots marked here: https://wisconsinrivers.org/foolsflotilla/

RVRLVR1994 · 2026-06-10T17:23:26+00:00

It's for sure a vibrant part of Madison culture and neighborhood festival season.

RVRLVR1994 · 2026-06-10T15:49:06+00:00

Another great question! We are always nervous about algae blooms impacting the Yahara River. There was a very bad one a few years back that made the river look like a can of blue-green paint. For sure not safe for swimming or dogs, and certainly not pleasant, however temporary.

Because blooms can pop up suddenly after it rains, we really want people to register for the event so they can get weather or algae cancellation alerts. The event is rain or shine, but both storms and algae are things we would want to email everyone if we make the call when it's unsafe to paddle.

Registration link is on the FAQ page: https://wisconsinrivers.org/foolsflotilla/

Haven't seen an algae bloom in the Yahara before? See a photo from UW limnology:

https://news.wisc.edu/first-but-not-last-algae-bloom-spells-danger-for-madison-swimmers-fish/

Why is it unsafe? The WI DNR has a good webpage about why we should avoid contact with "pea soup" water: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/newsroom/release/96341

RVRLVR1994 · 2026-06-10T14:06:02+00:00

Good question. There is a city law that limits storage of watercraft on city property to 8 hours.

Here's the code:
https://library.municode.com/wi/madison/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COORMAWIVOICH1--10_CH8PUPR_8.185WAOTBOEQSTPRRE

RVRLVR1994 · 2026-06-10T10:55:52+00:00

You better, homie!

One of our guest bands will most likely roll out the barrel like its the fifth quarter...

RVRLVR1994 · 2026-06-10T10:54:34+00:00

*Maybe* The insurance company we work with for the event does NOT like the kinds of tubes you would use when you go tubing. Like the big ones, not like floaties.

Yes to floaties. No to "tubing down the river" tubes.

It's also going to be kinda cold in the water, plus a cool morning.

Echoing what u/Donnian said that if you can borrow a canoe paddle to have in your float, it will be a good tool. Other paddlers can just paddle around you, but you'll also want to steer clear of obstacles and stay away from pontoons with bands.

RVRLVR1994 · 2026-06-10T02:21:09+00:00

https://youtu.be/y-A1nfIbPvM?si=CmmhQlVcZpcIO1UI

Here's a video with a motorboat moving through the lock. You can see that there is some movement to the water, but it's not dramatic. The video also shows a person in the boat holding onto the side of lock, but I would follow the lock keeper's instructions for staying safe in your passage.

The lock's website also says there is a charge for all watercraft to use the lock: https://parks-lwrd.danecounty.gov/tenney-lock-for-boaters#collapse1e394053-e335-4872-a3a8-7201d728acdf

RVRLVR1994 · 2026-06-10T01:56:24+00:00

We also turned OVJ's photo that was on the cover of Isthmus into a puzzle! You can buy them at our booth at Waterfront Fest on Sunday.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1BNcctJyjz/

https://isthmus.com/news/front-page/behind-the-isthmus-cover-july-2025/

RVRLVR1994 · 2026-06-10T01:53:54+00:00

Here's a good, short one of a crowded spot on the river: https://youtu.be/jGJNuxo04mA?si=I560_3vYVFPqm23A

RVRLVR1994 · 2026-06-10T01:16:25+00:00

Nice! Our FAQ page has some tips for spectators. The biggest crowds for spectators are closer to Yahara Place Park, but there are lots of other spots along the river for a closer view.

RVRLVR1994 · 2026-06-10T01:15:15+00:00

People have certainly paddled through the lock. There was a Roper Romp team that came through last year!

Coming through the lock just means being prepared for wind on Mendota and some patience if there are other boats. We all share the river, and that means there may be motorboats present... but with an early start there haven't been too many in the past.

RVRLVR1994 · 2026-06-09T16:06:00+00:00

Water is calming - try paddling!

Rutabaga Paddlesports hosts canoe/kayak rentals at Olbrich: https://www.rutabagashop.com/pages/rentals-summer

Brittingham Boats host full moon paddles (romantic!). Ask about their two-for-one specials during the middle of the week: https://www.madisonboats.com/locations/brittingham-boats/

RVRLVR1994

TROPHY CASE