June 2025 Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival
Survivors Abreast is a group of breast cancer survivors from the Peterborough area in various stages of treatment and recovery. We have something else in common—strength of spirit. We are committed to living our lives to the fullest and sharing that expectation and hope with others.
Age is not important; our members currently range in age from 30 something to 80 something and come from all walks of life. Survivors Abreast Dragon Boat Team annually hosts Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival and in 2010 we were hosts of the International Breast Cancer Dragon Boat Festival held here in Peterborough !
If you join us…
You will have experienced a diagnosis of breast cancer plus share our interest and enthusiasm for the sport of dragon boating. From May through September, we paddle twice a week on Little Lake. To keep fit and continue our paddle practices throughout the winter months, we utilize the state-of-the-art Carol Love Rowing/Paddling pool at Trent University. We work on paddling skills, strength, endurance and timing. Our training prepares us to race in three or four out of town festivals throughout the summer.
Regardless of your current level of fitness, you will find that the training and paddling practice will enhance your physical well-being. In addition and just as important, you will find that you have joined an amazing group who offer each other companionship, support and friendship.
We host Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival each June, which raises funds to support breast cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment in our community.
But why a Dragon Boat Team?
Breast cancer survivor dragon boat paddling began at the University of British Columbia in 1996. Dr. Don McKenzie a professor in the Department of sports medicine and an exercise physiologist, challenged the prevailing medical thinking that woman treated for breast cancer should avoid rigorous upper body exercise for fear of developing lymphoedema, a debilitating and chronic side-effect of treatment.
Dr. McKenzie developed a program to determine the impact of exercise on breast cancer survivors, choosing dragon boat paddling as the epitome of strenuous, repetitive upper body exercise. He trained twenty-four breast cancer volunteers in a gym for three months, introduced them to dragon boats and taught them paddling techniques.
At the end of the three-month season on the water, none of the volunteers had lymphoedema. Not only that, survivors found they were fitter, healthier and happier. They loved the camaraderie and support of their fellow paddlers. They realized Dragon boat paddling could become a means of raising breast cancer awareness and show that survivors could lead normal lives.
When/How to join
- Our membership year runs from November 1 to October 31.
- We accept new members throughout the year except between May 15 and June 15.
- Membership dues are $100.
- For further details. EMAIL: info@survivorsabreast.com
- For more information about how the team works, you can read our Team Manual
