Silver Lining Montana’s Paddle Palooza Weekend
Submitted by Annette Johnson.
Attendee and National Representative for USA Western Region.
On July 9 and 10th, Silver Lining Montana hosted their 2nd Annual Exercise and Lifestyle Medicine in Oncology Care and Survivorship Conference at the University of Montana. This 2 day session brought together some of the top oncology providers and researchers in the industry to enlighten the cancer community with lifestyle medical tools for those in healthcare, with an emphasis on methods to improve standard of care in oncologic rehabilitation for cancer patients undergoing cancer therapy.
Later that week, the team hosted their 5th Annual Paddle Palooza which brought over 160 paddlers to Flathead Lake for a wonderful three days of aloha and ohana. The first evening featured a multicultural opening ceremony which included members of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes, Quinault and Lemhi tribes, as well as Pacific Islanders.
On day 2, attendees participated in 500m and 1000m ARE Outrigger World sprint challenges, including both the 6-man matahinas as well as the ARE V1's..
On day 3, fourteen OC6s (Outrigger Canoes that hold 6 people), along with support boats, embarked on a paddling voyage that logged 30 miles in total, from the Montana Canoe Club in Big Arm to Angel Point and back.
The event celebrated cultural connections, honored Breast Cancer sisters, brothers and loved ones whom we had lost, recognized the need to respect and protect our precious lands and waters and paid respects to our ancestors gone before us. It was a rich exchange of respect and cultures.
Day 4 featured a V1 sprint clinic with legendary Tahitian paddler, Lewis Laughlin. Paddlers from across the mainland U.S., Tahiti, Hawaii and Canada participated including Calgary, Sarasota, Kansas City, Boise, Portland, and Seattle. SAVE THE DATE, JULY 11,12,13---2025! Registration opens Jan 1 and will be capped at 200 paddlers.
This was a fundraiser for the Silver Lining Foundation and the Montana Canoe Club. A huge congratulations to the women of Silver Lining Montana for bringing paddlers together and for providing a moving and magical weekend in Montana. These women continue to inspire others through their love of paddling - both dragon boat and outrigger and their commitment to continuing education for survivors and thrivers in the USA.
