The Big Ole PaddleFest is a charitable adventure paddle on Alex’s Chain of Lakes & Long Prairie River July 15th & Long Prairie River on Sat. July 16th, 2022.
The Big Ole PaddleFest is a charitable adventure paddle down Alexandria's Chain of Lakes on Fri. Events include the 17 mi Big Ole, 10 mi SVEN, 5 mi LENA, and the 8 mi Long Prairie River Cruise. The BOP supports the United Way of Douglas and Pope Counties and we've raised $27,000 since 2016!
04/02/2026
After 10 incredible years, our paddle event will not be held this year.
We are so grateful to everyone who showed up, paddled with purpose, and helped create a lasting impact in our community. Because of you, this event brought people together and raised meaningful support for our community.
While it’s hard to close this chapter, we’re so proud of all we accomplished together.
Thank you for paddling for a purpose!
Paddlefest Organizers
07/24/2025
Big Ole Paddlers Can Find The Race Results Here: https://gsetiming.com/results/fitness_events/results.asp?event_type=2&event_id=1321&race_id=2321
Here’s a recap of Big Ole PaddleFest’s Big Ole race and Lena’s river cruise!
07/22/2025
Event Photos Are Ready! Huge thank you to the Geneva Capital intern's for volunteering to take photos for us! We had so many we put them on google album for easy access - you can find them here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/jEutX6xff5mdD2rv8
07/22/2025
🏆 PaddleFest Fundraising Champion: Pat Laeger 🏆
A huge congratulations to Pat Laeger, our top PaddleFest fundraiser! Pat raised over $604 for United Way programs ~ making real impact across our region and won a new paddle board!
Here are some examples of what that generosity helps make possible:
🥪 100 weekend food packs for kids, or 3 kids supported all year
🍝 36 families receiving groceries at a monthly Food Drop, or 6 families supported for 6 months
🖍 6 kids experiencing Traveling Tree House literacy programming
🎒 60 stocked backpacks for back to school through Stuff the Bus
Thank you Pat (!!!) and thank you to everyone who paddled with purpose and those who raised funds for the cause. Every dollar raised from PaddleFest supports United Way programs right here in our community!
07/22/2025
🏆 Women’s Kayak Winners 🏆
Congrats to the top three in the Women’s Kayak division at Big Ole PaddleFest!
Sara Ferguson, Chelsey Kingbell, and Laura Jones paddled hard and earned their places on the podiums!
Thanks for joining us to !
07/22/2025
🏆 Women’s Stand Up Paddleboard Winners 🏆
A huge shoutout to our Women’s SUP winners. Jess Stuewe, Margaret Smullen & Deborah Reece took the top spots and made waves in the Big Ole Race!
Congratulations!
07/22/2025
🏆 Men’s Kayak Winners 🏆
Let’s give it up for the top three finishers in the Men’s Kayak division: Jeff Lindoo, Mike Woida, and Joseph Larson led the way through the lakes!
Congratulations and thanks for racing with us at Big Ole PaddleFest!
07/22/2025
🏆 Men’s Stand Up Paddleboard Winners 🏆
Congratulations to our top three finishers in the Men’s SUP division at Big Ole PaddleFest!
Jeremy Nicholson, Thomas Zuccaro, and Bob Skow paddled their way to the podium.
Well done & thank you for being part of this year’s race!
07/19/2025
What a day to sit by the river and be a volunteer!
First Lena paddlers are rolling in!