Team J Marrvelous Takes on the York Rotary Dragon Boat Challenge

Sunshine, team spirit, and a great cause. Sunday 13th July had it all.

Our courageous team of rowers, proudly racing under the name Team J Marrvelous, took part in this years York Rotary Dragon Boat Challenge, one of the city’s most exciting summer charity events. The day was a fantastic combination of teamwork, determination, and community support. All in aid of raising funds for our chosen charity, the Sailors’ Children Society.

With clear skies and sunshine from start to finish, the atmosphere was electric along the banks of the River Ouse. Friends, family, and colleagues gathered to cheer the team on and their encouragement made all the difference.

• Ryan our team captain, did a fantastic job keeping morale high and focus sharp throughout the day
• Emma played a key role in keeping everyone energised, making sure our team was well fed and hydrated between races
• And a special shoutout goes to Frank, who despite his fear of water bravely joined the crew for every single race! An incredible show of courage and team spirit.

The first race served as a warm-up, allowing the team to find their rhythm and coordination on the water. It was in the second race that Team J Marrvelous truly hit their stride, not only did they win, but they also recorded the fastest time of the event to date. Spirits were high, and the performance pushed the team into 6th place overall heading into the final round of heats.

While hopes of reaching the final were high, the third and final heat proved incredibly competitive. Despite a strong effort, the team narrowly missed out on a place in the final race. But there were no long faces, just pride in what had been achieved and a great shared sense of accomplishment.

The day wasn’t just about racing, it was about making a difference. All funds raised by Team J Marrvelous went to support the Sailors’ Children Society, a charity dedicated to helping children of seafarers who are facing hardship. We were honoured to have Natasha from the Sailors’ Children Society with us on the day, cheering the team on and sharing in the celebrations.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who supported the team, whether through donations, cheering from the riverside, or helping us prepare behind the scenes. Events like these remind us of the power of community and the impact we can have when we come together.

Until next year – we’ll be back, stronger, powerful and even more Marrvelous!