For the second consecutive year, the 'Manvers Charity Shield Dragon Boat Race' at Manvers Lake was a tremendous success!
Teams from across the local area eagerly took to the water, competing in a series of intense and thrilling races. Barnsley Hospital Charity made a strong showing with an impressive five teams entering the competition. From the very start, the atmosphere was charged with high spirits and a strong sense of camaraderie.
Jo Hudson, Manvers Lake Events, said;
“Positioned at the starting line, I could hear the lively banter among the teams. The competitive spirit was palpable, with each team exchanging playful jabs in good humour. The sense of community was evident, making it a pleasure to witness and be a part of the experience.”
Some of the teams went all out with their outfits. Barnsley Barbell, which fielded two teams, showcased a variety of brightly coloured, flamboyant shirts. Meanwhile, 'Deena’s Disco Divas' dazzled in sequined headbands, face glitter, and heart shaped glasses.
Each team competed in three fiercely contested heats to determine who would advance to the semi-finals. Both Barnsley Hospital Charity and Barnsley Barbell had two teams each reach the semi-finals. The competition was intense, with every participant giving it their all. In the end, it was Barnsley Barbell who managed to push both of their teams (the Buccaneers and the Barracudas) through to the nail-biting final. The race was so close, it required a photo finish to determine the winner - what an incredible showdown!
Barnsley Barbell said;
We turned up to the Manvers Dragon Boat Charity Shield Event today with 1 thing in mind: have fun, regardless of result, after all, it was a charity event. The idea of getting into the final was just that... a lovely idea, but after a couple of races we realised it was a potential reality. Never did we think we’d have not one, but TWO teams in the final! So it’s fair to say we had a perfect end to what was an incredible day. We laughed. We cheered. We celebrated. And we took home Gold AND Silver!! Huge thank you to everyone that came out today to take part and support, and to Manvers Lake for organising such a great event. We’ll be seeing you again next year!
Barnsley Barbell donated their winnings to Manvers Lake & Dearne Valley Trust. The money will go towards supporting their core values which include preserving the beauty of lake and parkland (which is held in perpetuity for the local people), supporting affordable sports to the community and providing an outreach programme for schools and other group users.
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