FLOWS Presents: The Queens Bay Extravaganza: Queens Bay Swim Fest 2024

FLOWS Swimmers Extravaganza at Flathead Lake
We're back for another year of fun up at Flathead and this year we have something truly special for open water enthusiast. Join us for an exciting weekend of open water swimming events from August 16th-18th at the picturesque Flathead Lake, just north of Polson. For those who joined us last year, we will be swimming a similar course as last year, but the location of our host site has moved a couple minutes up the road to a private lakeside residence that offers open water swimmers and spectators a unique and wonderous setting. Hosted at breathtaking Private Residence on Flathead, this lakeside retreat promises to be a memorable and enriching experience for swimmers of all levels. Whether you joined us last year in Queens Bay for our inaugural event or you're a seasoned open water competitor or a newcomer eager to dip your toes in, we're excited to welcome you for our second crack at holding an event. Our lineup has something special for you!

Event Schedule & Details
Friday, August 16: Open Water Swim Clinic

Time: 9:00AM -12:00PM
Coach: Mark Johnson (Elite Open Water Athlete & Coach) with assistant Pat Gilmartin
Focus: Sighting, navigating around buoys, handling different water conditions, and reducing anxiety in open water
Who should attend: Newcomers to open water swimming and experienced swimmers looking to acclimate to the race environment. Sign up if you wish so that we have an idea of who is coming. You're also welcome to just show up.
Saturday, August 17: Race Day

5K Swim Start Time: 8:00 AM
Entry Fee: $25
1 Mile Swim Start Time: 11:00 AM
Entry Fee: $20
1 Mile Paddle Board Sprint Start Time: 12:30 PM
Entry Fee: $20
Note: Volunteer for another race using that paddle board (or kayak) to have your race fee waived for paddle board race!
Sunday, August 18: Long Distance Challenge

10K SwimStart Time: 8:00 AM
Entry Fee: $35
Requirements: Mandatory kayak support for each swimmer (additional $20 if provided by event organizers)
Special Offers
Triple Challenge: Sign up for all three swimming events (1 Mile, 5K, and 10K) for a total of $50, saving on individual entries.
Additional Information
Safety: All swimmers are required to have a swim buoy. Let me know if you don't have one. Swimoutlet and Amazon are a couple places to check. I do have a couple spares but please come prepared.
Maps: Exclusive course maps provided by Mark Johnston upon registration.
Volunteering: Opportunities available to support safety during races. In the event a 10K swimmer doesn't have a Kayaker, volunteers in this department would be much appreciated. Additionally, if you are a paddle boarder, we'd love to have you out guiding, protecting, and cheering on our 5k and mile swimmers before your race. If you can do this, let me know and we will waive your entry fee to compete in the paddle board competition.
Hosts & Venue
This year’s events are held at the beautiful lakeside property just north of last years location, providing a perfect backdrop for our races and activities. It is located just down the road from where we held our event last year and will utilize a very similar course. Once you sign up, we will give you details on the exact whereabouts and a really cool map Mark put together. We're incredibly thankful to our hosts for their hospitality and support.

Registration
Ready to make a splash? Sign up now and secure your spot in one of the most anticipated open water events of the year. Whether you're competing, learning, or simply soaking up the atmosphere, the FLOWS Swimmers Extravaganza is the place to be this August! (creative) Awards will be given to top finishes in each race and for best costume on the paddle board sprint. 

Refund & Contingency Policy
In the event of inclement weather, including lightning storms, dangerous winds, or unsafe smokey conditions, we prioritize the safety of all participants and may adjust our event schedule accordingly. Understanding that weather conditions can change unexpectedly, especially during mid-August, our multi-day event format includes a built-in contingency plan to move races as needed.

In the case of cancellation due to weather, participants have three options:
Refund: Receive a full refund of your registration fee.
Roll Over: Roll over your registration fee to next year's event, securing your spot in advance.
Donate: Choose to donate your registration fee to support the ongoing efforts and future swim events.
We aim to make decisions that are in the best interest of all participants and provide timely updates regarding any potential changes to the event schedule. Our goal is to ensure that every participant has a safe and enjoyable experience, regardless of the challenges posed by potential weather conditions.

Come for the race, stay for the experience. We look forward to seeing you at Flathead Lake!