The History of Dragon Boat Racing and Breast Cancer Survivors

In 1996, word of an exciting sport recently taken up by women with breast cancer, began to be talked about at breast cancer conferences. This was the first breast cancer survivor  dragon boat team, Abreast in a Boat, of Vancouver. Team members radiated enthusiasm for their experience with dragon boating.

Abreast in a Boat began as a small research project by Dr. Don McKenzie, to study the impact  of dragon boat paddling on a group of women treated for breast cancer. Women are often told to avoid strenuous upper body exercise for fear of producing lymphedema, a side effect of breast cancer surgery and radiation. The study concluded that when women are carefully monitored and trained, there was no increase in lymphedema. That was supposed to be the end of it. However, by that time the study participants were so enthusiastic about their paddling experience, they wanted to continue and began spreading the word through the Canadian breast cancer community. A new movement was launched.

Dragons Abreast was formed in 1997, with 33 members from the GTA. Little did we know what we were embarking on: the joy, the challenges and sometimes the pain that we would face. By 2003, Dragons Abreast has grown to 106 members  and 3 crews. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, we have world class coaches. We became a familiar face at Toronto Dragon Boat festivals as well as around the province and at many breast cancer events.

Back to Top

Our Purpose

•  to encourage those with breast cancer to lead full and active lives
•  to demonstrate the overwhelming benefits of rehabilitation and recreational exercise for women recovering from breast cancer
•  to encourage persons of all ages and physical ability to participate in some form of physical activity, such as dragon boating
•  to raise awareness about breast cancer
•  to be a support for other team members
•  and to have FUN!

Back to Top

Our Book

 How to Ride a Dragon

How to Ride a Dragon began, in 1999, as a  dream to share the inspirational stories of breast cancer dragon boaters and to raise money for breast cancer research. Watching and listening to the spectator response to our races was part of what motivated Eleanor Nielsen to start this. Meeting Michelle Tocher, who brought a love of dragons and mythology to the project, was the spark that made it possible. The wholehearted response of Dragons Abreast members and our sponsor at the time, Maritime Life, made it a reality. All Canadian teams were asked if they wanted to participate in writing a book. Twenty-two women came forward to share their stories - a true spirit boat, as Michelle says. Michelle then devised a storytelling guide which was sent to these women. The book was finished in the spring of 2001 and the miracle continued with the Scotiabank agreeing to pay for publishing and introducing us to Key Porter who published it in 2002. How to Ride a Dragon by Michelle Tocher is a beautifully crafted blend of mythology, fantasy, narrative and first hand experience that tells the stories of 22 women, their families, and friends, and how dragon boating helped in their epic struggle to come to terms with breast cancer. The stories in this book could equally relate to other crises in life, and the lessons learned from the paths taken could apply to us all. 'How to Ride a Dragon' was shortlisted on the first Canada Reads readers' choice list in 2002. It was enthusiastically reviewed by women living with breast cancer, medical and nursing professionals. The second edition of 'How to Ride a Dragon' is available online at www.lulu.com or by clicking the following link: Lulu Marketplace Proceeds from sales of 'How to Ride a Dragon' go to cancer prevention research. Back to Top

Our Cookbook

 Recipes from the Dragons' Lair

The Wild Women Paddlers of Dragons Abreast pooled their culinary talents and favourite recipes and there are now two editions of the cookbook "Recipes from the Dragons' Lair": Most of the recipes in the first cookbook came from team members themselves, while the second edition ventures further afield and includes favourites from friends, families and culinary professionals. Many thanks to everyone who contributed and a special thank you to Kelly McCraw and Sandra Duff of Scotiabank for our wonderful dragon cover. E-mail your cookbook order to dragonsabreast@hotmail.com Back to Top

Our Theme Song

by Carol Pigott

(Sung to the tune of 'Land of the Silver Birch')

Dragons abreast are we
Paddling together
Pulling and gliding while
Keeping the pace
Reach out of this boat can fly
We're going to touch the sky.

Refrain

Boom di dyada
Boom di dyada
Boom di dyada
Boom, Boom, Boom.

Pounding of Dragon's Hearts
Say, can you hear them?
the stories in this book could Stroking to Drummer's beat
We'll never stop
Wild women, strong and free
Dragons Abreast are we.

Refrain

Pacers are digging deep
Feeling the power
Hearts of the Engine Room
Beating as one 
Boosts from the Rockets Blast
Damned if we will be last.

Refrain

Keeping the hope alive
Raising awareness
Heeding the warrior's cry
Find us the cure
Paddling from sea to sea
Onward to victory.

Refrain

Back to Top