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Team-Building Through Competitive Sports: Paddling On SUP-board as an example.

August 21, 2024
Reading time: 3 min

Team-Building Through Competitive Sports: Paddling On SUP-board as an example. Team-building activities are essential for fostering a strong and cohesive workplace. At Smartexe, we've found that competitive sports are a fantastic way to bring our teams together. One of our favorite activities? Paddling on SUP boards, followed by a relaxing pizza party.

Check out the reasons for choosing paddling as a team-building activity, and you might want to copy-paste it for your team.

A Day on the Water: Our Paddling Experience

This month, we gathered two of our tech teams by the river, ready for a day of paddling. We hit the water after a short safety briefing and some quick tips on paddleboarding techniques.

It wasn’t long before competition kicked in. Teams were formed, and a friendly race across the river was on. Laughter echoed as some paddlers surged ahead, while others struggled to stay upright.

One memorable moment was when Jurii, one of our developers, fell into the water. Despite knowing he couldn’t swim, he joined in on the fun, and when he fell, his teammates quickly paddled over, showing not just support but the level of trust we’ve built at Smartexe. This simple act of helping out a teammate exemplified the spirit of cooperation we aim to cultivate.

So, Why SUP-Board Paddling?

Later, during our well-deserved pizza party, we reflected on the day. The experience highlighted the importance of trust, leadership, and communication.

Knowing that your colleagues have your back builds a foundation of trust that naturally extends to work projects. We also saw how effective collaboration on the water directly translated to how we work together in the office.

The day reminded us of how clear communication is crucial, whether guiding someone back onto their board or coordinating a complex project.

And when we encountered unexpected challenges, it was a great reminder of the problem-solving skills we use daily at work.

Finally, spending time outdoors and engaging in physical activity proved to be the perfect stress reliever, leaving us refreshed and ready for our next projects.

We’re looking forward to doing it again with these teams and others as well.

Why Competitive Sports Work

Competitive sports, like our paddling adventure, aren’t just about physical activity. They bring out the best in us by encouraging teamwork, improving communication, and fostering a sense of community.

At Smartexe, we have seen some success with competitive sports and similar activities to build team spirit and foster a healthy competitive environment. Check out our previous articles on how competitive sports can be a powerful tool for team building and how to encourage sport at the workplace.

What about you?

Ready to elevate your team’s collaboration and morale? Consider adding competitive sports to your team-building activities. Whether it’s paddling on SUP boards, playing tennis, or another sport, the benefits are clear.

Looking for a committed offshore team with great collaboration skills to join your project? Give us a ping.

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