The health benefits of physical activity are numerous. But as well as improving quality of life, sport has a direct impact on the workplace. Even more so when it comes to practicing a team sport, where important values and skills are developed, such as leadership, teamwork and communication. José Carlos Valle, Land and Territory Management Coordinator for the implementation of FIOL 1, is an example of this.
Passionate about water sports since childhood, when he started swimming in pools to control bronchitis, José Carlos has practiced open water swimming, kayaking and standup paddle. In 2023, he got to know Hawaiian canoeing, a group activity in which all the participants paddle together in a small boat, which has become increasingly popular in the city of Salvador. So much so that in January of this year, he started practicing the sport and hasn’t stopped since.
“I already had experience with other paddling activities, but when I started practicing the Hawaiian canoe I fell in love. Unlike other water sports, where you do almost everything on your own, Hawaiian canoeing is a collective activity. We go into the water with at least six people. It’s real teamwork. It requires a great deal of synchrony between the participants,” says José Carlos, who trains every Friday in Baia de Todos os Santos.
“Our activities take place in very calm waters, so the experience is super relaxed. It’s leisure mixed with anti-stress. During the practice we also enjoy an incredible and unique view. That’s why, whenever possible, I invite my friends and colleagues to take part. Can you imagine us forming a BAMIN Hawaiian canoe team one day?” says the Coordinator, who is already joined by BAMIN’s Mining Law Specialist, Francisco Abreu.
José Carlos says that the experience provided by the sport is carried over into his day-to-day work: “Just like in Hawaiian canoeing, I’m not alone. I’m part of a team, where we need to collaborate with each other. For us to succeed in our activities, it’s important to be in sync, just like in rowing. With everyone doing the same job, with the same goal, we will achieve the objectives and better results,” he concludes.
