Paddle Palooza & ARE Sprint Challenge – Hosted by Inland Northwest & Montana Canoe Club

7th Annual Paddle Palooza & ARE Sprint Challenge
Flathead Lake, Polson & Big Arm, MT
July 9–12, 2026

The 7th Annual Paddle Palooza & ARE Sprint Challenge takes place July 9–12, 2026 on Flathead Lake in Polson and Big Arm, Montana, hosted by the Inland Northwest & Montana Canoe Club, Silver Lining Foundation, and ARE Outrigger World. The weekend includes a Poker Paddle on Thursday, the ARE Sprint Challenge (V1 and V6, 500m) on Friday, July 10 at the Polson Fairgrounds, the Paddle Palooza voyage (25-mile iron or change out, 30-mile change out) on Saturday, July 11, and a V1/V6 clinic on Sunday, July 12 at the Montana Canoe Club in Big Arm. Registration is currently open for both events. Full details, schedules, registration, volunteering, and travel info are available at https://www.silverliningmt.org/2026-paddle-palooza-and-are-sprint-challenge

Schedule of Events:

Thursday, July 9, 2026

Poker Paddle
Open to paddlers and the public
Evening details listed as “details to come”

Friday, July 10, 2026

ARE Sprint Challenge
Location: Polson Fairgrounds, Flathead River
320 Regatta Road, Polson, Montana

• V1 and V6 races
• 500 meter sprint distance
• Divisions listed: women, men, mixed, youth
• Registration fee adults: $50
• Registration fee keiki/youth: $0

Opening ceremony listed for Friday evening at 6:00 PM at Polson Fairgrounds

Saturday, July 11, 2026

Paddle Palooza Voyage

• 25 mile voyage
– Iron option
– Change out option
• 30 mile voyage
– Change out option

Registration cap: 200 paddlers (20 teams)

Voyage fees (as listed):
• $150 per adult paddler
• $100 per youth paddler

Support boat fees:
• Iron teams (6 paddlers): $200 per team
• Change out teams: $400 per team

Saturday evening musical event listed as TBD at Polson Fairgrounds

Sunday, July 12, 2026

V1 and V6 Clinic
Location: Montana Canoe Club
36828 Highway 93, Big Arm, Montana

Price listed as TBD
Payment listed as day of clinic to ARE Tahiti