Victory at Badger Lake
What. A. Weekend.
SLAP Dragons KC traveled to Fort Dodge, Iowa, to compete at the Badger Lake Dragon Boat Bash, and we paddled our way straight to GOLD in the A Division!
A Perfect Storm of Teamwork and Triumph
From the moment we arrived at the beautifully organized event, we knew we were in for something special. The Badger Lake Dragon Boat Bash proved to be an absolutely wonderful venue with top-notch organization that made the entire weekend flow seamlessly. The energy was electric, the competition fierce, and our team was ready to give everything we had.
But this victory wasn't just about crossing the finish line first, it was about the incredible teamwork, dedication, and heart that every single paddler brought to the water.
The Steerswoman Who Conquered All
A huge shoutout goes to our amazing steerswoman, who didn't just guide us to victory on the water, she also claimed the Best Team Tent award! Talk about dominating both in the boat and on land. Her leadership, precision, and unwavering focus were instrumental in our gold medal performance. Having someone who can navigate both the racing strategy and team spirit is pure gold, literally!
The Power of Showing Up
To every paddler who showed up with strength, dedication, and love, thank you. We're so incredibly proud of what we achieved together. Sure, medals are sweet, but it's the shared journey, the early morning practices, the encouraging words between races, and the collective determination that makes victories like this truly meaningful.
Dragon boat racing isn't just about individual strength; it's about 20 people moving as one, breathing as one, and pushing toward a common goal. This weekend, we were that unified force, and it showed in every powerful stroke.
The Rise of the Pink Flamingo Flock
The weekend got even better watching the fierce and fabulous KC Pink Flamingo Flock in action! This "newbie" boat, formed by the amazing women of the KC Pink Warriors, faced their first competition with grace and grit. Despite battling heavy winds and those inevitable first-race nerves, these incredible ladies gave it their all and brought home GOLD in their division too!
Watching newer paddlers find their rhythm and claim victory is exactly what our dragon boat community is all about, supporting each other, celebrating growth, and proving that with heart and determination, anything is possible.
Looking Ahead: Next Stop, Oklahoma City!
The celebration doesn't stop here! This weekend, we're heading south to Oklahoma City to compete at the Stars and Stripes River Festival on Saturday, June 28th. The Stars and Stripes festival promises another incredible weekend of competition, and we're excited to carry this momentum forward.
There's something special about back-to-back racing weekends, the adrenaline, the team bonding, and the chance to test ourselves against new competition. We can't wait to see what we can accomplish in OKC!
Ready to Join the Adventure?
Watching from the sidelines and feeling inspired? We'd love to have you join our dragon boat family! Whether you're a complete beginner or have some paddling experience, SLAP Dragons KC welcomes paddlers of all levels who are ready to embrace the challenge, build incredible friendships, and maybe even bring home some gold of their own.
Interested in paddling with us? Contact us now to learn more about joining our team, training schedules, and upcoming events. Trust us, once you experience the rush of dragon boat racing and the incredible community that comes with it, you'll be hooked!
