The regatta held this Saturday in Orio was not just a sporting competition; it also represented a significant step forward in social commitment. The veterans of Badok 13 Orio competed at home and did not falter, clinching the "Jakes Landa XI. Memoriala eta Edu Mugarza III" flag. They displayed clear dominance on the water, and on land, they conveyed a necessary and powerful message.
Despite the tough race, the home team, the rowers of Badok 13 Orio, performed excellently in their waters. With an impressive time of 13:25.07, they secured a clear victory, strengthening their league leadership. The Orio team has proven to be the leading team this season. The podium was completed by Mundaka in second place (13:51.06) and Fortuna in third (14:02.0).
The joy for the home team was twofold. Indeed, Badok's second boat also showed a good level in a challenging regatta, finishing in fourth position in the second division of the league.
A total of 25 veteran crews participated in Saturday's event, bringing life to the Orio estuary. In addition to the 12 first-division teams (group A), 11 other teams from the second league competed, along with two special invited crews: Cambrils and Ibaialde from the Basque Country.
“"Sport must be a safe, diverse, and inclusive space for everyone."
However, the merit of the veteran athletes was not limited to stopping the clock. They also won the flag on land, arguably the most important victory. Before the regatta began, the club held a moving event to celebrate International LGTBIQ+ Pride Day. Through this event, the Orio club aimed to use sport as a tool for social transformation, sending a clear message to other league teams and clubs: to work for equality and create internal protocols to combat harassment and discrimination against LGTBIQ+ individuals. The call from Orio emphasized the importance of having tools (such as protocols) that not only respect diversity within sports clubs but also actively support it.
