Dragon Boating for Breast Cancer Survivors

Until very recently women who’d had breast cancer surgery had been told they shouldn’t participate in sport involving upper body exercise.  Doctors and other Medical professionals believed exercise may cause or aggravate complications like lymphoedema.  Dr. Don McKenzie from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada decided to test this theory and launched a Dragon Boat team called Abreast In A Boat in 1996.  He found that dragon boating after breast cancer surgery did not impact on the severity of lymphoedema and actually improved the health of the patients.  

Please visit Abreast In A Boat’s website for more information on Dr McKenzie’s findings www.abreastinaboat.com 

The first Australian Breast Cancer Survivor Dragon Boat team was established in the Northern Territory in December 1998 and has rapidly spread across the country ever since with paddlers now in every state and territory.  

Visit Dragons Abreast Australia’s website for lots of great info on paddling for breast cancer survivors and how to join a team in your local area.  www.dragonsabreast.com 

The Redcliffe Pink Snapdragons team was started in May 2005.  Our team's founder, Jayne Coe, had been diagnosed with Breast Cancer and during treatment her mother gave her a magazine article about Dragons Abreast Australia.  Jayne loved the idea and soon joined the Redcliffe Dragon Boat Racing Club and began paddling with them, as their first Breast Cancer survivor member.  It was then that Jayne decided to create a breast cancer survivor team as part of the Redcliffe club.  Jayne chose the name 'Pink Snapdragons' for something pretty and feminine for herself and for future members to really feel like women. Pink snapdragons flowers, which are featured on our club logo, are also strong and long lasting.

We love our club and welcome survivors and supporters of all ages and walks of life with open arms!   Come and join us in our boat on Saturday mornings and Monday nights or visit us for breakfast on Saturdays at the Jetty Café in Redcliffe for lots of hugs and laughter!!

Please visit our website www.pinksnapdragons.com for info on training times etc.