Zelhofer on Waupaca Boatride origin story — and what’s in store this year

Although it’s no longer held in Waupaca and boat rides with recovery beers are a thing of the past, the Waupaca Boatride Volleyball Tournament is celebrating its 41st year.

Director Eddie Zelhofer joins to discuss how the competition that began in 1984 evolved into the largest volleyball tourney in the U.S.

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Zelhofer delves into Boatride’s origins, journey — from Waupaca to Wisconsin Dells, and now Oshkosh — and how these moves transformed it from a modest doubles tournament into a five-day extravaganza that now features an AVP Tour stop.

Over 3,200 teams, 360 volleyball nets and somewhere around 80,000 players and spectators will embark on Brighton Acres just outside of Oshkosh with $80,000 in cash prizes.