“We are a team to fear!” Atlanta QSC Wins Gold and Silver at Dragon Boat Race

After a week of warm temperatures ranging from 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit, the weather took a turn just in time for Saturday’s Hall County Dragon Boat race. Cloudy skies, blustery winds, and temperatures only reaching a high of 66 degrees Fahrenheit caused difficult paddling conditions. But that didn’t stop the Hapag Hustlers!

Dragon Boat racing is an adrenaline pumping, high energy water sport where boats decorated to resemble a dragon are propelled by teams paddling in sync together. The Atlanta Quality Service Center participated in the race again this year, after a two-year hiatus due to the 2020 and 2021 races being cancelled because of Covid-19. This year, we had enough participants to fill three dragon boats! The spring race sets the tone for our much larger September race at the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival at Lake Lanier.

Team captain, Todd Roy, said, “This year’s spring race was without a doubt the most challenging we have had from a weather perspective. That being said, we had a great event with staff and family turning out in strong numbers to paddle and cheer.”

Since 2018, the Hapag Hustlers have won the gold medal in the corporate division each year. This year was no different when the Hapag Hustlers Boat 1 paddled against the head wind and crossed the finish line with the best time, bringing home the gold! Boat 2 also placed with the second-best time and received the silver medal! Lake Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club also started the Most Enthusiastic Team Award in memory of the late Adrian Williams, who was a valued friend, co-worker, and dragon boat paddler for Hapag-Lloyd. Not only did the Hapag Hustlers receive gold and silver medals, but they also brought home this cherished award with pride!

“A huge thanks to our volunteers in arriving early to help set up and take care of everyone for the day. We had some new faces in the boats this year and loved the enthusiasm. We are a team to fear come September!” said Todd.