There are still places available for the Dragon Boat Charity in Steyr

When Club 41 Styria and SV Forelle Teefix Steyr first organized “Gemeinsam im Boot”, the dragon boat charity race on the Enns reservoir in front of the Münichholz campsite, in 2014, nobody could have guessed how big the waves this competition would make. This charity festival has now established itself as a fixture in Steyr’s summer event and sports calendar. Up to 30 teams from companies, organizations and groups of friends take part in this fun on the water every year and help to increase the amount of donations for aid projects in the region. The Red Cross, trade unions, BMW, SKF, GRS, CCE and MF are among the charity’s regular guests.

“Last year we donated around 36,000 euros to charity projects in the region alone,” says Michael Obermair, President of Club 41 Styria.

This time, too, a considerable sum of money will be collected to help people in need in the region.

Currently, 25 teams, including three all-women teams, have already registered for the dragon boat race on Saturday, July 6. The marquee will be open from 11 a.m., the start is at 12.30 p.m., and the final races on the 250-meter-long race track will follow at 5.30 p.m.

“Unfortunately, we had to cancel some teams at short notice due to personnel problems, so we can only offer remaining places to those who decide quickly,” says race director Günther Briedl. The number of teams is limited to 30, however. Each team consists of 16 paddlers and a drummer who sets the beat. Each team competes in two heats, which determine the seeding list for the final.

In two individual training runs before the competition day, the participants are initiated into the secrets of this sporty, sociable and entertaining discipline, explains Briedl: “On the one hand, it’s all about the correct paddling technique in the dragon boat, but harmony in the team and a consistent stroke are also important.” It’s important to always keep the rhythm, not to let yourself get hectic and to follow the beat of the drum as precisely as possible.

Mayr Bau is the defending champion for both men and women. Both teams narrowly won the final after finishing second in the preliminary round. Eisen Aigner has also become the new main sponsor for the charity race.

Information and registration: www.gemeinsamimboot.at