The quaint city of Madison, Ind., a town of a little more than 12,000 people, will once again welcome over 40,000 people to town for the 2015 Madison Regatta from July 3 thru July 5.

What many of those 40,000 regatta attendees might not recognize is that the event is possible due to the efforts of an entirely unpaid staff of volunteers. From the admissions gates to the entertainment on the riverfront to the cranes to the very fuel powering the Unlimited Hydroplanes happens because a hardworking volunteer of Madison Regatta, Inc. This organization works solely for the love of their community and the sport of hydroplane racing. The volunteers show the wide appeal of hydroplane racing and give a glimpse into the traditional hometown feel of the Madison race.

The current run of Madison Regattas began in 1949, and the volunteers of Madison Regatta, Inc. have been there from the beginning. The first few races were exhibitions that would have one or two Unlimited Hydroplanes and a fleet of smaller boats, but the race soon grew up in a big way. In 1954 Phil Cole, The Madison Courier sports editor along with the legendary Bill Cantrell, driver and team manager for Joe Schoenith’s Gale Enterprises team, invited Schoenith to bring two of his Gale boats to run a few exhibition laps on the Ohio River. Unbeknownst to Schoenith, however, was that two more Unlimited boats, the My Sweetie Dora, and the Miss Cadillac, were also in town and planned to take part as well. The trick concocted by Phil Cole and Bill Cantrell meant that the exhibition was now a full-fledged APBA Unlimited points race, as there were enough hydroplanes starting the race to make the event official. Every year since 1954, with the exception of 2013 when the high water forced the cancellation of the event, the small town on the Ohio River has hosted the “big leagues” of hydroplane racing.

This incredible run of events, however, wouldn’t have been possible without the volunteers behind it. In the early years of the Regatta, volunteers would pass around a bucket to fans along the riverfront to make contributions to cover the event’s expenses. As expenses increased, so did the need to charge admission. As the Regatta became the marquee event for Madison, soon there was the desire to create events outside of the boat race. The early success of the Unlimited Hydroplane races led to the weeklong festival of events that takes place today. The festival now includes a fireworks show, a Friday night parade, a bed race, an RC model hydroplane regatta, with more events being added. Today, nearly 40 volunteers ensure that all of this runs smoothly.

Sitting down and talking with a few of these Regatta volunteers, the passion for the Regatta and hydroplane racing has developed into largely a family affair. Many current volunteers also had parents and in some cases grandparents who were or still are volunteers of the Madison Regatta. Some of them come simply to be involved, but the passion among all members is clear.

With so much passion and tradition among the volunteers, it is no surprise that many cherished memories have been collected along the way. Some are not surprising, such as the hometown and community owned Miss Madison winning the Gold Cup in 1971 and following it up with hometown wins in 2001, 2010, and 2011.

John Knoble, who is a four-time Madison Regatta President and volunteer since 1967, shared a rather amusing story in which in one year he was assisting the late Wilbur ‘Wib’ Heitz with the old starting clock. Knoble was standing in front of the clock when the cannon malfunctioned and went off in his face. He was rushed to the hospital but was able to make a quick recovery, and the story became legendary among members of the Regatta. For his contributions to the Regatta and the community, John Knoble was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash in 1988, an honorary award given to people in the state of Indiana, by then-Indiana Governor Robert Orr.

A current Madison Regatta takes a form similar to that of a Chamber of Commerce meeting. Reports are read; motions are discussed and voted on, board members are elected, etc. It’s at these meetings that one truly gains an appreciation for how much work it takes to stage such a large event. Volunteers come from all walks of life, but all share a similar passion for putting on the best show possible.

There are high hopes for another successful regatta in 2015. The volunteers and fans are eager for the return of big block of the Grand Prix boats. The 12′ wide, 24′ long hull, 1300+ HP powered by big-block automotive engines with a top speed of 170 MPH will be racing in Madison for the first time in more than 30 years. There was an expressed need for a “second show” on the water, and it seems that the Grand Prix boats are more than capable of filling that role.

There are also hopes for further expansion of the Regatta and a desire to draw more volunteers. Incoming Madison Regatta president Dan Cole mentioned a desire to draw millennials to the Regatta and the sport as a whole. Brent Thacker, a third generation volunteer who helps organize the Regatta music festival, says the Regatta needs “new blood” and hopes to see more people volunteer.

Working as a volunteer with the Madison Regatta and the H1 Unlimited Hydroplanes is highly infectious. The volunteers enjoy the camaraderie, and the new volunteers will help keep this great Madison, Ind. tradition alive for the next 60-years.

To become a Madison Regatta volunteer, call 812-274-0400 or email the organization at [email protected].

Story by Aaron Lynch