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22nd Annual YMCA Dragon Boat Team Challenge returns to The Woodlands

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After a one-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, Dragon Boat races has returned to The Woodlands. Celebrating 22 years rowing for a cause, the YMCA Dragon Boat Team Challenge benefits the Y’s Annual Campaign, which ensures the Y can offer unique opportunities for families to come together in a safe place, create a welcoming environment for all, and ensure that everyone has access to YMCA and its programs, regardless of age, income, background or circumstance. Every dollar raised is an investment in our community and our future.

Spectators are encouraged to stop by and cheer on their favorite team and admission is free for spectators at the 22nd Annual YMCA Dragon Boat Team Challenge, presented by Repsol. The four-day event that started on Thursday, September 30 and goes through Sunday, October 3 is taking place at Northshore Park in The Woodlands. Teams will participate in a single 4-hour bracket, 8 a.m. to Noon or 2-6 p.m.

Each team is comprised of a minimum of 20 members but no more than 30 plus a minimum of 5 females and participants must be at least 18 years of age. High School teams, 9—12th grade, were also eligible to participate in the Sunday morning bracket.

The event features 6 different team activities, but the Dragon Boat races are the main event. The boats, owned by The American Dragon Boat Association, are transported from Cedar Rapids, lowa. Dragon boats are 40 feet long, extremely colorful and weigh over 1,800 pounds each! This exciting team-building event is designed to build community spirit among corporations, civic groups and community organizations. The activities are designed to bring individuals together to achieve a single goal – to have fun and build relationships. They achieve this by becoming a team and working together as a synchronized unit. It’s much more than “beating the other team” – it is the camaraderie and team spirit, connecting with old friends, meeting new friends and laughing. Along with improving health, whenever teamwork is involved, there’s the added benefit of being linked to others.

View photos from the event (taken the morning of October 1) on the Hello Woodlands Facebook page:

Sponsors who supported the event and helped the YMCA multiply its impact in the community are Repsol, The Woodlands Township, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center, Houston Methodist The Woodlands, St. Luke’s Health The Woodlands, Raising Cane’s, Alight, Charbonneau Industries, Woodforest National Bank, Excelerate Energy, Newpark, and Strike.

For more information visit www.ymcadragonboat.org.

First organized in 1886, the YMCA of Greater Houston is one of the city’s leading nonprofits dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The YMCA, a United Way of Greater Houston agency, seeks to serve all – regardless of age, income, faith or background and we welcome everyone. In the greater Houston area, 25 YMCA centers, one overnight camp and hundreds of program sites nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the city’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in the Houston community, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver lasting personal and social change.

To learn more, call 713-659-5566 or visit us on the web at ymcahouston.org.

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