The facts and figures of the Winter Texan industry in the Rio Grande Valley are well-researched with data and statistics released every few years to gauge where things stand.

The latest figures from the UTRGV Business and Tourism Research Center show there are just under 100,000 Winter Texans in the region. They provide a nearly $2 billion economic impact and support 10,000 jobs in the Valley. What can go unnoticed is what Winter Texan themselves do to promote the region and bring newcomers to the area.

The recent World Shuffleboard Championship in San Benito is an example of how Winter Texans elevate the Valley’s profile with activities at the RV parks they populate. The shuffleboard championship took place at the Fun N Sun Resort, drawing in more than 80 participants from five countries. The designation of hosting such an event is not an easy gain. Originally granted in 2019, the RGV’s hosting of the international event was to take place in 2020. It was canceled, like many other events that year due to limits on public gatherings.

It would take another four years to see shuffle-boarders from Germany, Brazil, the Netherlands, Canada and the United States gather in San Benito for the international event. Ann Engell, the local chairperson for the event, says it was worth the wait.

“We finally got it here,” Engell said of the event, which ran from Oct. 28 to Nov. 1. “It has been really good in having people from all over the country and the world coming to visit the Valley.”

‘It’s A Big Deal’

Garth Bakke describes himself as “a walking, talking billboard for the Rio Grande Valley.”

He is a Canadian who winters in Weslaco. Bakke is also a shuffleboard player and enthusiastic Valley promoter. At the tournament, he analyzed the sport and its intricacies. He pointed out how players from different countries apply contrasting strategies to the game. Then Bakke moved quickly to discuss how he and other Winter Texans utilized the tournament to highlight Valley attractions.

“We’ve got SpaceX, South Padre Island and Mexico, where you can get dental work done at a lower cost,” he said, alluding to Nuevo Progreso. “The whole world is getting to know us with SpaceX. We can use that to stimulate the economy.”

With that in mind, the 84 shuffleboard tourney participants were treated to dancing and dining in the area to go with pool parties. 

“It’s a big deal,” Engell said of having the international tournament in the Valley. “They’ve enjoyed it. The feedback we’re getting is that they didn’t know how friendly the people are here.”

One group the Winter Texans had their eyes on were younger sets of tournament participants from Brooklyn and Chicago. Shuffleboard has the reputation of a game for retirees. The sport, however, is gaining something of a following from a younger generation of enthusiasts living in big cities. Their participation has been good for the sport, said Joe Blumenkemper Jr., a Winter Texan from St. Louis, and also may bring the Valley benefits in future years.

“Think of it like this,” said Blumenkemper, who participated in the tournament. “A younger player visiting here could be a future Winter Texan.”

‘Bringing Everyone Together’

Stefan Stadmueller is a committed shuffleboard player and world traveler who goes where the game takes him.

In this case, for the 59-year-old German, it was San Benito after a visit to the Riverwalk in San Antonio. 

“This is my first time in Texas,” Stadmueller said. “I’ve enjoyed the games. People are very friendly here, and being from Germany, we are loving the warm weather.”

Stadmueller’s country will host the World Shuffleboard Championship next year. 

“Shuffleboard still gets people out and moving,” Engells said, noting that pickleball has risen to become the favorite game among many Winter Texans. 

Engells scanned the indoor courts where 84 players were shoving weighted bucks across playing surfaces and said hosting the tournament brought one other local benefit in addition to an economic one.

“It has been good for us too in bringing everyone here together at the beginning of the (Winter Texan) season,” she said.