The countdown is on to the Great Alabama 650 - one of the toughest endurance challenges in paddling. Known as America’s longest solo paddle race, it spans 650 miles with a completion cap of 10 days, hosted by the Alabama Scenic River Trail. Blackfish’s own Peter Allen is gearing up to take it on. 

Peter Allen, General Manager of Blackfish Paddles and endurance paddler, has officially announced his participation in the Great Alabama 650 and is now calling for a support crew to join the journey. 

We’re fired up to support this outstanding challenge through our ongoing partnership with ROAM Projects - united by a shared commitment to advancing endurance paddling and bringing these legendary events to a global audience. Now, Peter takes that commitment one step further, lining up to experience it first-hand.

Allen is no stranger to ultra-endurance formats. Last year, he smashed the iconic Yukon River Quest, completing the course in 25:06:43 without stepping off his board - finishing as the first SUP and 37th overall.

This next challenge will see him take on the core section of the Alabama Scenic River Trail. At 650 miles, it’s the longest National Water Trail contained within a single state. From whitewater and flat lakes to big rivers, winding delta, and out onto Mobile Bay, the race pushes even the most experienced paddlers to their limits.

With a 10-day non-stop completion window, the Great Alabama 650 stands as one of the most demanding endurance tests in the sport - and one Peter is ready to meet head-on. Here’s what he had to say about the challenge: 

What made you decide to take on the Great Alabama 650?

The Great Alabama 650 has been on my radar for a number of years, especially since my good friend and Blackfish Paddler, Brad Friesen, completed it in 2023. 

In 2024 and 2025, I had the Race to Alaska (R2AK) and Yukon River Quest in my sights, so the 650 wasn’t feasible.

When I started looking at my goals and motivations for 2026, the Great Alabama 650 kept coming back into focus, and I began to seriously consider it. Then, after attending Last Paddler Standing in December, speaking with Greg Wingo - Race Director of both Long Paddler Standing and the Great Alabama 650 - and finding out Craig Sawyer was signed up for 2026, it felt like the right time to commit and get myself entered into the 650.

Gear is critical in a race of this scale. What paddles and boards are you planning to use for the Alabama 650, and how will you be preparing your setup for such an extreme distance?

For a race of this length, gear becomes a crucial consideration. Over 650 miles, even the smallest efficiency gain can add up and make a significant difference.

For my board, I have a custom 18’ x 24” Unlimited from ONE SUP, designed for flatwater speed and efficiency. I’ve only paddled it a few times so far, but it already feels fast and glides like nothing else I’ve ever been on - which is promising.

My go-to paddle is the Nouméa 500. It’s lightweight, with an efficient and powerful catch, and I use it for all my performance paddling. I expect it to be my paddle on the start line. 

That said, over a distance like this I’ll be carrying a spare and likely swapping paddles depending on conditions and how I’m feeling. Both the Blackfish Yukon and Crozon are very capable for distance paddling, so I’ll need to do some testing to find the best combination.

You’re no stranger to ultra-endurance challenges, including your 2025 win in the SUP division of the Yukon River Quest. What makes the Great Alabama 650 different from the races you’ve completed before?

I have done my fair share of endurance paddling, but I feel like the 650 will be the toughest challenge yet. Even though the race is largely downriver, there is very little flow, so you have to work for every mile (in the Yukon, the river is moving at a decent rate). 

The physical and mental challenge of paddling this far is something that really excites me. It will be tough and will likely hurt (a lot), but I’m looking forward to being tested right to my limits.

The Great Alabama 650 is never truly a solo effort. With this announcement also serving as your call to build a support crew, what kind of team are you looking for and how can the community get involved in supporting you along the route?  

Even though this is a solo race, it is not something I can do alone. We’re required to have at least one support crew to help us through the event - this is one of the rules.

Unlike the Yukon River Quest, where support is limited to a single designated point along the river, in the Great Alabama 650 your support crew can assist at any access point along the course.

I’m hoping to find one (or more) people willing to join as my support crew for the duration of the race and help me through it. Whether you’re an Alabama local, a friend from Vancouver, or from anywhere else in the world, it doesn’t matter - as long as you’re willing and able to help.

If you’re interested in being part of the support crew, please get in touch at peter@blackfishpaddles.com

The Great Alabama 650 challenge: 

Race Dates: October 3, 2026 – October 13, 2026

Distance: 650-mile paddle race across the state of Alabama

Route: Begins at Weiss Lake in the northeast section of the state and finishes at Fort Morgan in Mobile Bay on the Gulf of Mexico

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Photo by Schaien Fotografie | 2025 Yukon River Quest