Once again this year, GTI organized an ever popular summer activity intended to treat employees to an inspiring, fun-filled afternoon together. Topping the agenda: A team building activity at Parc Jean-Drapeau.
The following photo retrospective features highlights from the day’s events.
First stop: Aux 3 Brasseurs in the Old Port for lunch to fuel up and talk strategy, for some at least!
The ambiance was ripe with anticipation. After a solid refuelling, the teams were primed and ready to go.
Next stop: Parc Jean-Drapeau and the Olympic Basin for a dragon boat competition. Nothing like a little healthy rivalry for demonstrating team spirit and the ability to work together as a group.
And what is dragon boat racing, you ask?
Dragon boat racing is a traditional Asian sporting event that originated in south central China over 2000 years ago. According to legend, following the drowning of a poet activist, villagers would each year – on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar –traverse the local river beating drums and gongs to ward off evil spirits and safeguard the soul of their lost compatriot.
Team spirit, inclusion, coordination and pushing oneself to excel have long been associated with this centuries-old sport.
Upon arrival onsite, the three teams – preseeded with a view to spawning a genuine sense of team unity – needed only find names for themselves. In a salute to creativity, the teams were dubbed Team Pink, Team Red and Team Yellow after the colours of the three boats.
Each boat comprised 12 rowers and a certified coach. Then followed a brief introduction into the practice of dragon boat racing which requires a coordinated blend of power, endurance and team unity if rowers are to get their boats moving through the water. Admittedly easier said than done!!!
With introductory training complete, the three teams and three boats moved into position for the first of a total of four races. Three, two, one… STROKE! And may the best team win!
The adrenaline and intensity of the race palpable, the three teams were off. And the winners of this year’s event?
Not surprisingly, GTI’s Team Yellow owing to a stunning display of team unity and three successive first-place finishes.
A great team building activity for our four divisions and a resounding success for our Social Committee which participants underscored with a final celebratory drink at Saint‑Houblon.
