2025 Great Lakes Paddle Challenge

August 9, 2025

After 3 amazing races in 2019, 2020, and 2021, we made the tough decision to take a step back.  With a renewed excitement and a lighter Midwest Paddle League schedule for 2025, we felt that the time was right to bring the GLPC back...bigger and better than ever, for 2025!  We've incorporated some exciting changes and are stoked to host another event in West Michigan!

On August 9th,  join us once again at Kirk Park on the beautiful shore of Lake Michigan for the 2025 Great Lakes Paddle Challenge. The 10k, 5k, relay race, and a 1.5 mile “fun paddle” offers something for everyone.  Even if you’re not into racing, you can come to the beach, enjoy the water, listen to some music, and hang out with a great group of stoked paddlers. The West Michigan paddling community is awesome...come and be part of it!

The races below will be on Lake Michigan...big water.  Paddling on the "big lake" presents many possible challenges (waves, wind, current, temperature, and a constantly changing combination of all of them) and that's where we get our name.  Are you up for the challenge?!?! 

Event Overview:

10k - Race

• Beach Start
• Course TBD
• Leash and PFD required and enforced
• Men's and Women's divisions
  • SUP
  • Surf Ski
  • OC-1
  • Kayak

5k - Race

• Beach Start
• Course TBD
• Leash and PFD required and enforced if using a paddle
• Men's and Women's divisions
  • SUP - race, surf style, inflatable
  • Prone

Virtual Race

• 5k distance
• Will only be competing against those in the virtual race
• Get all of the awesome race swag shipped to you for free
• Do your virtual race anytime between July 26th and August 8th
• Track distance and time using Garmin Connect, Paddle Logger, STRAVA, or other GPS solution
• Fill out digital form with time/distance and upload a picture showing the info if possible
• Please do not race in moving water with the current...honor system
• No Midwest Paddle League points awarded for virtual race

1.5-Mile "fun paddle"

• Beach Start
• Course TBD
• No Midwest Paddle League points awarded for "fun paddle"
• Leash and PFD required and enforced
• no divisions, no board restrictions, no official time, and no pressure
• all the fun and all of the swag, without the competitive nature of a race

SUP Relay

• more info to come on this fun race

Surprise Event...Stay Tuned!

Charity Partner

We are stoked to be partnering with the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project for our 2025 event.  The GLSRP has a single goal...TO SAVE LIVES!  Their mission is to eradicate drownings by being the leader of Great Lakes water safety by providing training, public preparedness, and public awareness.  The unfortunate reality is that we are quickly closing in on 1000 drownings on the Great Lakes over the past 10 years, and by far the most occur on Lake Michigan. 

Please join us in helping to support this organization by including a donation during the registration process! 

Where To Stay & Other Things To Do

Kirk Park is conveniently located between Grand Haven and Holland on the white sand beaches of Lake Michigan.  If you're looking for a place to stay, check out holland.org for a complete list of hotel options in the area.  In addition to places to stay, they have a ton of information on other things to do while in town...check it out!

Facebook and Instagram:  @greatlakespaddlechallenge

Cancellation Policy:
Athlete safety is of upmost importance to the Great Lakes Paddle Challenge.  We will do everything we can to put on a safe and fun event, but we do take the conditions on Lake Michigan very seriously.  In the event of extreme weather (wind, waves, lightning, etc.) or other conditions out of our control, the race director may make the hard decision to delay or cancel all or part of the event.  In the unfortunate situation of a last minute race cancellation, there will be no refunds.  Athletes are still encouraged to pick up swag bags, event shirts, and participate in the raffle and other events.  If cancellation is necessary, announcements will be made as soon as decisions are made and will be communicated over the PA system, as well as the event Facebook page.