First inclusive dragon boat team from Güstrow: a victory of diversity!

First inclusive dragon boat team from Güstrow: a victory of diversity!

Something exciting is happening in Güstrow: On July 26, 2025, an inclusive team will go into the water for the first time at the Güstrower Dragon Boot race. Under the direction of Thomas Hensel, who is both a coach and a helmsman, a team of 16 paddlers, a drummer and a helmsman is preparing for this exciting event. The participants are made up of employees and clients of the Lebenshilfe Güstrow and come not only from Güstrow, but also from the surrounding area, such as Krakow am See. Many of them have never sat in a dragon boat before.

Ulrike Hemp, the head of living and mobile assistance to Lebenshilfe, emphasizes that it is new for many to be active in a team. During the training, which has been taking place every Monday at 5 p.m. on the grounds of the canoeing club for a few weeks, the basic skills of the dragon boat sport are conveyed. The training units include both warm -up exercises and various starting opportunities, and the team already shows significant progress.

community and inclusion in focus

The idea for this inclusive dragon boat team was born to make inclusion tangible. The aim is to encourage clients to actively show themselves and to promote diversity within the community. Regina, a passionate paddler, reports on the joy she has at the dragon boat sport and the new acquaintances that have arisen in training. Your team -mate Tobias is still inexperienced, but is optimistic about the upcoming challenges.

The dragon boat race is not only followed by the participants, but also by a wide audience. Currently, 15 teams from all over Germany have already been registered for the race, which increases the anticipation for the event. The whole thing is organized by the SV unit Güstrow, which ensures a smooth process.

sponsors wanted

To support participation in this event, the team urgently is looking for sponsors for T-shirts with their own logo. "It would be great if companies could offer their support," says Ulrike Hemp. If you want to see your logo on the team shirts, you can contact Lebenshilf Donations can be donated to the specified donation account ( Lebenshilfe Güstrow e.V. , DE85 1305 0022 00, Ostseesparkasse Rostock, subject: dragon boat).

The project is also accompanied by the NDR, which gives the team additional visibility. On race day, Tilo Tautz from the NDR will also be part of the team, which continues to cheer on the anticipation. The importance of this inclusive engagement goes beyond the sporting event and could indicate the need to promote inclusion in other areas of life.

After all, the team's motto is clear: not getting the last on July 26 could turn out to be the greatest goal and adventure. While the paddlers are preparing for the race, the community is in the foreground - a real proof that sport connects.