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V O L . X X I I I N O. I X H E A LT H Y B U S I N E S S 8 e experience is invaluable, he says. "You can interact with your coworkers outside of the business environment and get to know who they are as people," Ford says. " e important thing about sailing in particular is that everyone has to work together to achieve something. It doesn't matter what the rankings are in the business world. When you're on a boat, you're working together. It's an incredibly pow- erful and poignant experience. And when people come back after the races, they're talking about something other than work and that demonstrates the beginning of a common bond, which lasts all year round." Takes two to paddle a canoe e nd Annual Run of the Royal, which bene ts the Royal River Conservation Trust, a community- based nonpro t land trust, has that same spirit of throwing people together. "While a few of the employee relay teams are jacked paddlers with Kevlar toys, most of the entrants are businesses supportive of the commu- nity who are o ering to pay for a team-building event for local employees who are novice pad- dlers," says Executive Director Alan Stearns. "It's an opportunity for companies or other groups to pull their team together and let people have fun at their own speed. Some people win by placing rst and some people win by laughing. A lot of times, the best thing we can do for health and exercise is show people how to enjoy an outdoor experience. It ended up being great for morale and teamwork, having a sunny day on the river with a lot of splash- ing and lot of good, healthy competition." Hancock Lumber elded a team last year and will return this year, says General Manager Harland Storey, who already enjoyed kayaking and canoeing, with the Royal River one of his favorite spots. Storey notes canoeing is a relaxed form of exercise. "It's just a group of enthusiastic employees who want to enjoy a morning on the water," he says. "We weren't by any means practicing and trying to win." e Brentwood Center for Health & Rehabilitation in Yarmouth also elded a team in Run of the River. Kimberly Duest, a registered nurse and Brentwood's director of nursing services, spoke to the event's health bene ts. "I think it opens their eyes to some of the resources in the area as far as what outdoorsy activities there are," Duest says. "It brings you more in touch in with the community. Mentally, it's invigorating and it's nice to take a break from everyday stresses. When it's physically challenging, you're getting exercise that's good for your heart. But I think the camaraderie is the best part, because all of our jobs today are high- stress and demanding and it helps when you can let some of that stress go." L S, Mainebiz staff writer, writes the Real Estate Insider. She can be reached at @ . » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E Individual attention. Team success. WorkHealth. We see each person as an individual. As your work force, they make a strong team. To complete the picture, you can't afford missing pieces. Our occupational health team helps you put everything together. We work with you and consider every individual to keep your team operating smoothly. Occupational Health workhealthllc.org 1-844-975-4584 P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y RO YA L R I V E R C O N S E R VAT I O N T R U S T Teams of canoeists near the start of last year's Run of the Royal, a relay race on the Royal River in Yarmouth that raises money for the Royal River Conservation Trust.

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