“Today, as we place our flowers on the lake, we honor every life touched by breast cancer,” read breast-cancer survivor Vicki Olson Saturday morning. As she spoke, pink, purple, orange and white flowers colored the tranquil surface of Flathead Lake, as 18 outrigger canoes clustered around the dock at Salish Point.

“We honor those who paddled before us, whose strength still echoes with every stroke … For those who stand beside us today, sharing hope, laughter and unwavering love,” she continued. “For those still navigating treatment, may they know they are never alone and for those who will one day discover this remarkable community, may these waters welcome them home.”

Around 200 participants in Paddle Palooza’s annual 25- or 30-mile voyage then raised their paddles in response to Kimokeo Kapahulehua’s command. The Hawaiian master paddler, known to many as “Uncle,” then blew on his conch shell, signaling the beginning of the point-to-point event, which would eventually take them to Silver Lining Foundation’s Montana Canoe Club in Big Arm.

Each single-hull outrigger had six paddlers; the two double-hull boats had 12. Some would change out with other paddlers every 30 minutes along the way; other crews “ironed” or paddled the entire course.

This marks the Silver Lining Foundation’s sixth annual event. The first was held during COVID, when members of the group paddled a one-person outrigger the length of Flathead Lake.

Now, the event draws paddlers from Tahiti, Hawaii, Canada and mainland United States. Eighty participated in 500-meter outrigger sprints Friday on the Flathead River, while 200 took to the lake Saturday. Evening social gatherings at the Polson Fairgrounds included a feast and music.

“We never really envisioned that the event would grow to what it is today,” said Silver Lining president and co-founder Nan Condit. She’s a cancer survivor and exercise trainer who champions paddling as part of the physical, emotional and spiritual healing from breast cancer.

The organization, based in Missoula, was founded in 2017 by a small group of survivors committed to supporting each other post-treatment. The Silver Lining Support Group now boasts more than 380 members and the organization fields the only dragon boat and outrigger canoe teams in Montana solely comprised of breast cancer survivors.

They chose the name "Silver Lining" to allude to the sisterhood of cancer survivors. "Unfortunately, we have tougher years than others when we lose sisters to cancer," said Condit. "It hits us all hard." 

Still, she adds, "it's a privilege to walk with those who have experienced similar journeys. The initiation is hell, but the sisterhood is amazing." 

The connection to Uncle also dates to the COVID era, when members of Silver Lining met him on Maui when they participated in a voyage and fundraiser for cancer patients called Paddle for Life. In Hawaii, he’s a lifelong paddler and revered elder, who is considered one of the islands’ wisdom keepers. He established the Kimokeo Foundation to help preserve Native culture, traditions and languages.

According to Condit, Kapahulehua infuses Paddle Palooza with the “Aloha” spirit.

“He’s very instrumental in the evolution of this event,” she said. “He has a true gift of bringing people together in the spirit of love and aloha.”

That spirit was very much alive Saturday morning, as the sun touched the sleek vessels and paddlers prepared for a journey through the Narrows and around Wild Horse Island.

“May we always remember that healing is not simply surviving,” read cancer survivor Linda Bailey before paddles dipped into the water. “Healing is choosing joy. Healing is choosing hope. Healing is choosing each other.”

“As long as these waters flow, may our spirits remain strong, may our paddles stay united, our hearts remain open. And may every stroke remind us that we are carried by something greater than ourselves,” she continued. “By love, by sisterhood, and by the healing water, the power of the water. Aloha.”

    A dozen paddlers pull up near the Salish Point dock last Saturday, July 11, in one of just two double-hull outrigger canoes participating in Paddle Palooza. The remaining 16 boats were single-hull outriggers. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)  Kimokeo Kapahulehua and Silver Lining president Nan Condit discuss logistics prior to the launch of Paddle Palooza's voyage last Saturday. Condit says the Hawaiian paddler known as "Uncle" has been instrumental in the evolution of the annual event. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)

 Paddlers lean in as they begin Paddle Palooza's point-to-point voyage Saturday, departing from Salish Point and landing 25 or 30 miles later (depending on the course) at the Montana Canoe Camp in Big Arm. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)
 Flowers drift across the still water at Salish Point Saturday morning, July 11, in honor of those lives lost to cancer. The ceremony was part of the annual Paddle Palooza. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)