Fairy Moonlight Paddle 2026

This year LRPOA will once again be hosting a moonlight paddle for kayakers & canoeists. Come be part of this beautiful spectacle & experience.

Plan to join us if the weather cooperates. We should have a big moon that evening so we just have to hope that we don’t have too much cloud cover so that the moonlight can touch the water & we can see out on the lake. If the night is too STORMY OR OVERCAST OR WINDY, our plan is to postpone it to the following evening.

We will meet out on the water on the East side of the lake in the vicinity of Eagle Bay. Please be there no later than 9 PM for a very short meeting before heading out. Consider getting a tow to our starting spot so that you aren’t tuckered out before we even start. We will proceed from that East side of the lake in front of Eagle Bay & continue North along that East shore. Once we get to where the lake splits we’ll cut over to the West shore. Then we’ll continue in a counterclockwise direction along the West shore. We’ll proceed down past Mourning Dove Bay before cutting back over to the East side of the lake & finally turning North again to return to the Eagle Bay area having made a big loop on the main body of the lake. Let's plan on staying out long enough to make this big circle for everyone on the main body shoreline to be able to see. This will probably take us a good 2 hours. Again, it may be a good idea to get a tow back to your residence once we finish.

This event is open to all LRPOA members, their families & guests. Other than our pontoon escorts we ask that other motorboats please watch at a distance or from the coves so as to keep our paddlers safe & to not block their lights from people watching from shore.

Our pontoon escorts are available in case assistance is needed  to keep an eye on other boats. Please let me know if you would be available to help as a pontoon escort.

Requirements: .

• Because it is after dark, every kayak or canoe must have a 360° torch type stern light such as would be required on any boat after dark. This light must be turned on

  & positioned behind you so as not to blind you.

• Red port & green starboard bow led lights are also required for any boat out on the lake after dark.

• Although not required by law, this is a Fairy Moonlight Paddle, so we encourage participants to decorate their boats with battery-operated twinkle or fairy lights. The lights add a touch of magic to the evening, make our boats look beautiful on the water & help paddlers see one another more easily. They also create a wonderful display for those enjoying the paddle from shore.

• Every kayak or canoe must have enough wearable Coast Guard approved life jackets for each person onboard.

• Every kayak or canoe must have an emergency whistle. (I attach mine to my life jacket which can be worn or strapped onto your kayak.)

• We also recommend that you wear a headlamp that could be turned on if necessary.

• Please do not attend with an unlit boat. It would be both illegal & dangerous.

We hope to have you join in on this Annual LRPOA Fairy Moonlight Paddle letting your little lights shine! If you have any questions, please call or text Jill Messmer at (608) 393-2402 before 8pm the night of the event.

​

Links to examples of lighting items mentioned above:

​

 Amazon Links:

​

Torch Light

​

Red & Green Bow Navigation Lights

​

Fairy Lights

​

Emergency Whistle

​

Kayak Lights

​

Headlamp