The following crew photos and bios
are in the
Ten Years Abreast Celebration Souvenir Program.

They were the welcome and valued guests of Abreast In A Boat.

Abreast In A Boat: Abreast And Beyond

Abreast and Beyond is a crew made up entirely of eager novices. We’re still wet behind the ears and, with the way we splash, getting wetter with each practice. However, with the help and support of Juanita, our coach Lita, and the other crews that paddle out of False Creek, we are learning fast.

What a year to be novices! Joining Abreast In A Boat during the exciting 10 Years Abreast celebratory year is a great way to add “oomph” to our involvement. We are proud to paddle from the very site where it all began and even prouder to boast “Dr. Don” as our sometimes Steersperson.

Abreast In A Boat: Abreast In Barnet
Vancouver BC, Canada

In 1997, Norma Hicks, one of the Abreast in a Boat “originals”, decided she would start the first crew in the suburbs out at Barnet Marine Park for the 1998 season.

As Abreast in Barnet, we are still enjoying the beautiful location that inspires our souls and the après-paddle appetizers and goodies which often include our famous red wine study. When paddling on water like glass or in the wavy conditions of a tug boat passing, there is that rush that puts a smile on our faces whether soaked, exhausted or pulling our steersperson out of the water!

In 2001, two of our paddlers became the first breast cancer survivor coaches and went on to take 2 bronze medals at the World Dragon Boat Championships in Philadelphia. We have a special challenge out at Barnet – we have to take our boat down a 500 meter path and slide it into the water off the beach which of coarse includes getting it out of the water after a practice. It is a strenuous warm-up for us and has developed a unique camaraderie and team-bonding experience.

We all feel privileged to be part of Abreast in a Boat and to be able to challenge ourselves to continue the fight against this all too common disease.

Abreast In A Boat: Abreast In The Bay
Vancouver BC, Canada

When the Abreast In A Boat crews were formed this spring, there weren`t enough members to form a complete crew on Wednesday evening. Volunteers were asked to transfer to this incomplete crew. Therefore we became a “mixed bag”of Abreast In A Boat paddlers. Our president, Juanita volunteered to coach us. (She didn`t seem to have enough to do!!) The result is Abreast In The Bay, as we paddle out of Alder Bay in False Creek. We have blended quickly and can boast of the following:

• We have the most senior member of Abreast In A Boat with a very competent, almost 80 year old woman. She also has 18 grandchildren. Our boat total for grandchildren is over 35! Beat that!
• Our crew has 4 original Abreast In A Boat team members which makes us the most “senior team!”

We are so pleased you have come from far and wide to participate in our “10 Year Celebration.” We wish you “Sunshine and Smiles” and thank you for helping us spread the message, there is life after breast cancer!

Abreast In A Boat: Abreast In The Cove
Vancouver BC, Canada

Abreast in the Cove is a relatively recent addition to the group of teams competing in the Lower Mainland, its members having first dipped their paddles in 2001.

Claiming the most beautiful site of all their sisters' dragon boat venues, the young Cove team has enjoyed remarkable success in the Alcan festivals earning a bronze medal in the Recreation Division in 2002, a bronze medal in the Recreation E Division in 2003 and a thrilling silver medal in the Scotia Bank Breast Cancer Challenge Race in 2004. Team members were also enthusiastically involved in the Kelowna regatta last year.

Coached by the ever enthusiastic Janet Evans and Assistant Coach Janet Warren, with incomparable Steer Sue McMinn and dedicated Manager Sharon Clements, the team is looking forward to achieving even greater success in 2005, particularly in the eagerly anticipated 10 Years Anniversary celebration in June.

Abreast In A Boat: Abreast On Falsey Creek
Vancouver BC, Canada

Abreast on Falsey Creek is an energetic mix of paddlers ranging from those just starting their second season to seasoned paddlers including one original paddler from the inaugural group in 1996. We are one of 6 crews paddling in the lower mainland. Our crew paddles out of False Creek in Vancouver – where Abreast In A Boat started 10 years ago.

Our women represent all aspects of the Society from Coaches, to Board Members, to 10th Celebration Committee members and much more.

Many of our crew have traveled to various regattas in BC as well as the US, New Zealand, Singapore, Poland and South Africa. We eagerly look forward to paddling and hosting teams from all over the world at the 10 Years Abreast Celebration Regatta here in our home city of Vancouver.

To truly embrace the mission statement of Abreast In A Boat we support our paddling sisters and their families in time of need and strive to achieve our paddling goals in an atmosphere that is inclusive and compassionate.

Abreast In A Boat: Abreast On The Deas
Vancouver BC, Canada

As one of the six crews of the Abreast In A Boat team our group of twenty five active paddlers is excited to be in our second year paddling on the Deas Slough. We are a spirited and dynamic group who firmly believe that the challenge of breast cancer can be met and overcome with a full active life not only possible but mandatory!

A diverse family of women coming from eight different communities we range in age from 36 to 75 years young.

On the water which we share with eagles, herons, seals and the occasional sea plane, we are dedicated and focused athletes. However, following practice at our weekly dinners at the River House, we are a lively fun bunch sharing lots of laughs.

The team’s off water efforts to raise awareness include Christmas donations to Deltassist, participation in the yearly South Coast Casuals Fashion Show and interviews with Delta media.

All of us including our six alumni are looking forward to the tenth year celebration and welcome all the teams coming to participate.

Paddles up!

Abreast A River
New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Canada

In October 1998 a few members of the Women Alike Breast Cancer Survivors Society met at the Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow, Pictou County. Nova Scotia. Their objective was to create a dragon boat team. The community, local business, corporations and many individuals provided much financial and moral support. With the launch of our Six Sixteen dragon boat on the East River, New Glasgow, June 30th1999, we became the first breast cancer team east of Montreal to own our own boat.

We have strong team goals. We believe any breast cancer survivor who wishes to paddle should have that opportunity. We promote awareness through team activities, public events and displays, and with a monthly newspaper column Dragon Tales appearing in the Pictou Advocate Newspaper.

Team activities have generated many thousands of dollars. Some of this supports our dragon boat program. Much more is directed toward needed supports and services for breast cancer patients, equipment for our local hospital and a cancer care lodge in Halifax, N.S.

We donate toward breast cancer research and currently have several other important projects under way. It has been our priviledge to receive the support and confidence of the community as we celebrate our seventh year of paddling.

Website: www.abreastofbridge.com

Abreast of Life
Christchurch, New Zealand

The team was formed in 1999 and first competed in 2000 and since then has regularly competed; winning two Gold and one Silver medals.

They train on the Avon River as well as doing outrigger canoeing in the harbour, and have competed on lakes, rivers and harbours.

They are currently one of two all-women teams in New Zealand and are the only team to have an all women crew who paddle and steer the boat. The age of paddlers is from 30 to 74 and they are from all walks of life.

Website: www.abreastoflife.org.nz

Abreast of Life
Nanaimo, B.C., Canada

“Abreast of Life” is the Breast Cancer Survivor team of the Central Vancouver Island Dragon Boat Society. Our 30 some members, who range in age from 38 to 74, reside in the Regional District of Nanaimo, on the east side of Vancouver Island. We have our own pink and white boat which we paddle for practice and fun on the ocean in beautiful Nanoose Bay, often with seals, loons, herons and once even a pod of killer whales as company. Our team was founded in 1998 and raced in its first festivals in 1999. Our motto is “Life, Love, and Laughter after Breast Cancer”, and we practice this through our friendship with each other, our awareness and support activities, and in the crazy chants we holler while waiting to paddle.

Email: janetfarooq@shaw.ca or Lynda Guerin at kaylahobbes@hotmail.com

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Amazonki,
Poznan, Poland

Poznan Amazonki Team seems to be the only group paddling occasionally. Before the summer 2003 when the breast cancer survivors from Vancouver Abreast In A Boat got in touch with us we had hardly heard of dragon boats.

Our organization Poznan Society " Amazonki" has been functioning since 1991 and its main goal is to provide psycho- physical rehabilitation for breast cancer patients after the surgery and raising awareness about this disease in society. According to the motto "Helping others you help yourself" over 20 volunteers give support to women in hospitals and in our clubhouse and about 200 regular members are actively involved in various profilactic activities. Once a year we hold the Amazonki Sports Championship which is a nationwide event for over 100 breast cancer societies.

In August 2003 two spontaneously formed teams paddled on Malta Lake together with Vancouver Abreast In A Boat in the World Nations Dragon Boat Championship. Our teams won silver and bronze; there was no other alternative - there were only three teams in this category.
We would like to try again.

Email: amazonki@amazonki.poznan.pl
English contact Email: hornung@tonet.pl

Angels Abreast
Nanaimo, BC, Canada

Angels Abreast is the spirited breast cancer survivor dragon boat team from Nanaimo, B.C. This team was established in the fall of 2000 by a dynamic group who wanted to raise public awareness in their area to the fact that fun and fitness are possible after breast cancer treatment. By the next year, this founding group had purchased their own dragon boat. They then began regular practice as a survivor/supporter team.

The year 2004 saw an expansion and re-organization of the team into a survivor-only team. Members of the team are drawn from Qualicum Beach to Duncan on the central east coast of Vancouver Island. They practice on the Nanaimo waterfront in Newcastle Channel from March until November.

Email: Nora DeVito at sanghafa@island.net.

Against the Wind
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

Against the Wind is a women’s dragonboat team made up of breast cancer survivors. Founded in March of 2001, its original members competed in World Competition here in Philadelphia in August of that year. Against the Wind is a vital component of the Philadelphia Flying Phoenix – a larger group of female recreational and competitive paddlers - we participate in competitions throughout the Northeastern region of the USA both independently and as part of the Philadelphia Flying Phoenix. It is our hope and intention to extend our competitive experience to more distant venues each year, and Vancouver is a thrilling reality in achieving that dream!

We are a team committed to year-round community service projects and to raising awareness of breast cancer. Our mission is to share with breast cancer survivors and their supporters the hope, empowerment, and joy that comes from recovering health and strength after this dreaded diagnosis. Where there is hope for one of us, there is hope for all of us. When we paddle our hearts out in a dragonboat race, we hope that spectators who are recently diagnosed or yet-to-be diagnosed, will remember us and in that memory, find hope for themselves.

Our team wears red bracelets that say “…the fire within.” For all of us, our passion for dragonboating has helped stoke ‘the fire within.’ We welcome all of our breast cancer sisters to share that fire with us.

Website: www.philadelphiaflyingphoenix.org

Beyond Survival
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

We are a group of ladies living on the beautiful Gold Coast, Australia who have all triumphed over Breast Cancer and we are looking forward to joining up with several other Breast Cancer Survivors from Canada who will paddle with us at this very important and exciting Regatta in Vancouver. We know that firm friendships will be formed over the days we paddle and socialize together.

We feel we are lucky that the diagnosis of Breast Cancer has brought us together creating lasting friendships in many social activities and dragon boat racing in particular.

We come from far and wide, from New Zealand, England, Australia and of course from Canada. Our ages range from mid 30’s to late 60’s.

Our aim in life is to believe in a future, enjoy our dreams of living our lives to the fullest, spreading the word of life after Breast Cancer. We aim to be happy together, have fun together and give support to each other through the good times and the bad.

“With the sharing of the tears and laughter….we are each others strength”!!

Email: Fay Henderson, fayzy@optusnet.com.au

Bosom Buddies
Nova Scotia, Canada

Bosom Buddies is a group of Nova Scotian women, living with breast cancer, who have decided to go against traditional thinking and become real examples of life after breast cancer. The team has over 60 members, ranging in age from 30 – 70 years, and includes women from all parts of mainland Nova Scotia.

Since the creation of the team in the Fall of 1998, Bosom Buddies have traveled to festivals across Canada, from Vancouver to Charlottetown. The team practices up to 3 times per week during the training season on Lake Banook in Dartmouth and on Mahone Bay on Nova Scotia’s South Shore. Members also participate in off-season training throughout the winter months.

As part of the team’s mandate to support and care for each other, Bosom Buddies is also about educating people and letting them know they can make a difference in their own lives as well as the lives of others, and to promote the idea that there is life after breast cancer.

Web Site: www.bosombuddies.ca

Breast Friends Brave, Breast Friends Bold
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Breast Friends is an experienced Breast Cancer Survivor Team currently in its seventh season. With over 60 active members, and growing, the team operates under the motto "One Team - Two Crews". Their ages range from 30 - 60+. Their goals are to inspire, educate and lead by example. They are passionate about living full and active lives after a breast cancer diagnosis.

They had their best season ever last year, winning several festivals in both women's and breast cancer categories. They also made it to A finals in one event. They love to race PADDLES UP!

Website: http://breastsahoy.abcn.ca
Email: generalInfo@breastsahoy.abcn.ca

BreastStrokes
Guelph, Ontario, Canada

We formed in 1998 with the objectives of promoting awareness of breast cancer through public outreach, celebrating life through the pursuit of fitness and wellness, providing hope, giving mutual support, and honouring the memory of those who have died of breast cancer. We believe anyone with breast cancer who wishes to participate should have the opportunity to join in this healthy, supportive and inspirational dragon boat activity. Our goal is to spread a message of hope to all living with breast cancer.

From the early days using broomsticks to paddle in (dry) church basements, the team now has its own dragon boat moored at Guelph Lake. We exercise and train year round at the University of Guelph, Athletics Centre, under the capable guidance of coach Pat Richards and assistant coach Linda Caston. Mary Visser Kerr and Doug Blain keep us on track with team management and boat maintenance.

Team members' achievements are many. Four team members paddled with Canadians Abreast in New Zealand 2003, and one in South Africa 2004. The team book "Paddling with the Dragon - Profiles of a Breast Cancer Survivor Team" was authored by team member Lynn Wills with contributions from the other team members. We have an amazing support network of spouses, families, friends and the Guelph community who have been touched by our life experiences and the challenges it presents.

We cannot thank enough all those who help us everyday in our activities. We race in Vancouver for the memory of our two lost paddlers Shari Lowe and Margaret Brewer.

Website: www.breaststrokes.org
Email: breaststrokes@rogers.com

Buoyant Buddies
Vernon, BC, Canada

Buoyant Buddies first launched their boat in May 2004 at beautiful Swan Lake, with the Vernon Rowing Center being our base.

In the summer of 2003, with the help of “Bosom Buddies”, a well established support group in Vernon and “The Morning Star”, Vernon’s local paper which ran 3 articles on the would be team, we grew to 25 members and 2 volunteer coaches. Dues and sponsors helped finance the team for the following season.

Together, the team chose our name Buoyant Buddies, our motto “Paddling For Life” and our logo “The Happy Dragon”. We leased a boat through Foundation 2000p, picked out our uniform and we were ready to go! Most of the team had never been out in a dragon boat before, but soon became “hooked”!

Our mission is to promote awareness and show that women living with breast cancer can lead full, active and healthy lives together.

We attended 3 festivals in 2004 and did very well at all 3 considering it was our first year. We are looking forward to the Abreast in a Boat Festival in June 2005 and hope that will be the first of many more to come. We welcome any paddler from other breast cancer teams to join us for a paddle if visiting the beautiful North Okanagan!

Email: pateveleigh@shaw.ca

Busting Out
Ottawa, Canada

We are Busting Out from Ottawa and Busting Out Too and we are thrilled to be in Vancouver for the Ten Years Abreast Celebration. Now in our eighth season of paddling, travelling has become an important part of our agenda. We have never been this far
afield and we are reveling in the excitement.

At home our team comprised of neophytes, eight year veterans and everything in between practices from the Rideau Canoe Club,on the scenic Rideau River just before the locks connecting to the historic Rideau Canal. Our season runs from early May, as soon as the water level is high enough, until October when twinkling stars guide us back to the Club.

We take our paddling seriously. Each of us has made a commitment to personal fitness. Running, aerobics and strength training will make us the best that we can be. But we are not a serious team.

Laughter swirls around us wherever we go. You'll probably hear us before you see us. We are the ones in the fuschia shirts and bright blue jackets. We are privileged to have a man on our team - Peter, our communal sweetheart, who is always willing to dispense (and receive) hugs and even apply fuschia nailpolish to co-ordinate with his pink shorts. We are blessed.

You may think that our successes have gone to our heads. Our team song begins "Glory, glory, we're amazing". But we are you know and I bet you are too. Come laugh with us. Share your stories and your amazingness. We are a great bunch. But take care not to underestimate our motives. We love to win!

Website: www.bustingout.ca

Busting With Energy
Saskatchewan, Canada

Busting With Energy is the only dragonboat team of breast cancer survivors in Saskatchewan. They formed in 1998 and are based out of Saskatoon where they train and race on the South Saskatchewan River. There are approximately 35 members, including 17grandmothers, with an average age of 57. They are a small but mighty team with a lot of spirit and heart. The team has lost 4 paddlers to breast cancer, some have gone through a recurrence, and others have metastatic breast cancer.

Busting with Energy is involved in numerous research and awareness projects, including fundraising for the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency and Saskatchewan's first Breast Health Centre, which is scheduled to open in December of 2005 in Saskatoon.

Email: bustingwithenergy@hotmail.com

We are from Auckland and train on Lake Pupuke (freshwater) on the North Shore, and also at The Viaduct (saltwater) which is in central Auckland.

In 2003 we hosted the Inaugural South Pacific Breast Cancer Regatta with visiting teams from Australia, America, New Zealand and Canada. We look forward to catching up with all of our friends.

Website: www.bustingwithlife.org.nz
Email: lynnemee@ihug.co.nz

Bust ‘N Loose
Kelowna, Canada

In 1998, 24 intrepid breast cancer survivors in Kelowna met for the first time to try their hands at a new sport that was sweeping the country - Dragon Boating. After a fun-filled and quite successful first season we were hooked.

Over the years we have faced the loss of team members but the strength that we give and receive from each other spurs us on to never give up. Besides being a close-knit paddling team, Bust 'N Loose is very involved in volunteer activities in Kelowna.

In the past we have attended festivals in Victoria, Kelowna, Nanaimo, Salmon Arm and Penticton. This year our team is looking forward to attending an international festival in Germany.

Bust 'N Loose would like to say Thank-You to Abreast in A Boat for having the foresight and guts to get us going and for hosting this wonderful celebration of 10 years of Breast Cancer Dragon Boating.

"Strong is what we make each other"

Canadians Abreast
Canada - all regions

The idea of a national breast cancer survivor team was first conceived by Darlene Prager when she solicited members of breast cancer teams from across Canada to paddle with her in the Inaugural South Pacific Breast Cancer Regatta in Auckland, New Zealand.

Under the name of Canadians Abreast, sixty-five women crossed the ocean in March 2003 to compete with other breast cancer teams. Later that year, a team competed in New York City. In 2004, two crews travelled to Cape Town, South Africa, we also competed in Canada.

Our goal is to spread a message of hope to breast cancer survivors, worldwide. The exciting sport of dragon boating is a perfect vehicle for raising awareness and showcasing our cause.

Website: www.canadiansabreast.abcn.c

Cape Breastoners
Cape Breton Island, in Nova Scotia

Greetings from Cape Breton:
The Cape Breastoners dragon boat team hails from picturesque Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia. We have been paddling as a dragon boat team since 2002. We have the privilege of paddling on Cape Breton's beautiful Mira river. We are proud to be the first dragon boat team to represent Cape Breton! Our team is comprised of cancer survivors ranging in age from 36 years to 73 years old.

One unique aspect of our group is the tremendous amount of support we receive from family and friends. Our support people, both male and female, are always there to help us realize our goals. We, the Cape Breastoners are committed to helping other women understand they can lead full, active lives after the diagnosis, surgery and treatment for breast cancer.

Heartfelt Cape Breton wishes and congratulations are extended to the organizing committee and all those involved in this great celebration. Paddles up!!!!!

Website: www.capebreastoners.com
Email: lcshebib@syd.eastlink.ca

Chemo Savvy
Manitoba, Canada

Chemo Savvy is a group of Manitoba breast cancer survivors, ranging in age from 32 to 75, who are involved in dragon boat racing. There is one male survivor on our roster of more than 70 members. Since its inaugural race at The Forks in Winnipeg in 1998, the team has traveled in Canada, the USA and New Zealand to compete as a means of raising breast cancer awareness. Presently, Chemo Savvy holds the Winnipeg Dragon Boat Festival’s Women’s Division Championship trophy, a repeat achievement in 4 of the last 5 years.

Team members have handpainted their own paddles, using images that are meaningful to their life’s experience. Members identify this personal statement as an integral part of a healing process that is such an important facet of dragon boating. Along with other teams from across Canada, Chemo Savvy is eager to get the message across to others living with breast cancer that they too can lead active lives, and in doing so, promote in others a sense of hope and a zest for living.

Website: http://www.mts.net/~chemosvy
Email: chemosavvy@mts.net

Dragons Abreast
Australia

Our Mission Statement
“To offer hope and inspiration to women faced with a diagnosis of breast cancer and promote the fact that there is “quality of life” after breast cancer”

Dragons Abreast Australia is a national, not for profit organisation with member groups in every State and Territory of Australia, independently run but under the same national umbrella that has, as a cornerstone philosophy, the believe that we are here to promote breast cancer awareness and education, with competition outcome being irrelevant as we consider ourselves to already be winners!

We use our public profile to raise funds and lobby for breast cancer research and give our voices as advocates and public speakers with the aim of improving services and conditions for those who will, inevitable, follow us down the breast cancer path in order that their journey may be easier.

Our teams for Vancouver are composite from across Australia. We do this deliberately as we see this as a fabulous networking opportunity across the country and an occasion to become closer to each other, even though we may live at opposite ends of the same country.

We are honoured and delighted to be present at this 10th Anniversary regatta for Abreast In A Boat who have given so much support and encouragement to us in our development!
Website: http://www.dragonsabreast.com.au

Dragons Abreast – Fiery Femmes (Crew #1) and Dragons Abreast (Crew #2)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Dragons Abreast, formed in 1997, was the second Canadian survivor team to take up this exciting and challenging sport.

Our 100 wild and enthusiastic paddlers start pool training in February and move to the chilly waters of Lake Ontario in April. We take our message of awareness, encouragement and hope to dragon boat festivals in Ontario, other provinces and the United States. Some members have travelled to Rome, New Zealand, South Africa and Shanghai, spreading the message as paddlers with Canadians Abreast.

Dragons Abreast has launched two successful books: How to Ride A Dragon, inspirational and highly praised, in which women with breast cancer tell their stories.
Recipes from the Dragons’ Lair - The delicious and creative recipes that started to spread across the GTA in November 2004 are changing the way Toronto cooks!
Our generous corporate sponsors, Jones Apparel Group and Scotiabank enable us to devote our efforts to our team goal of increasing public awareness of the women, and men, leading happy, productive and fun-filled lives after breast cancer. There’s more, to tell, but no more space, so visit us at http://www.dragonsabreast.org
PADDLES UP!
Website: http://www.dragonsabreast.org

Dragon Divas
Cowichan Valley, B.C., Canada

This is everything you need to know about the Cowichan Valley’s first dragon boat team – the Dragon Divas! Our team formed in 2003 and with hard work, determination and the support of generous residents and businesses from all over the Cowichan Valley, the Divas purchased a boat in the spring of 2004. We paddle in the warm waters of Cowichan Bay on Vancouver Island. Our more than forty members are committed to promoting a healthy lifestyle, demonstrating the resilience and recovery of women who have experienced breast cancer, and providing emotional and practical support to those newly diagnosed.

Website: www.dragondivas.ca
Email: dragondiva@shaw.ca

Friends Abreast
Salmon Arm, B.C., Canada

The Shuswap Dragon Boat Society (SDBS) has been in existence for 4 years; Friends Abreast is our breast cancer survivor team. Our dream is to encourage others living with breast cancer to join the Dragon Boat experience. The physical and psychological benefits of paddling are the rewards.

We are a group of women (and 1 man - a steersperson/coach), breast cancer survivors and their supporters, who got together in 2002 to jump aboard this growing phenomenon called dragon boating. What a ride we have had! Our ages are 40ish to 70+, with one occassional paddler who is 90. It's a wonderful sport that can be enjoyed by all age groups.

We paddle on the beautiful Shuswap Lake in Salmon Arm Bay. The boat is generally put in the water in mid-April and we paddle until mid-September. In our first year of paddling we leased a boat from Foundation 2000+. We purchased this boat for our second year with help from our major sponsor, Twin Anchors Houseboats Ltd. We were hooked!

SDBS hosted a Mini Dragon BoatFest in 2004 and it was an overwhelming success. We are planning a festival for this July 1, 2005 and hope this second festival will be even more fun.

Website: http://www.friendsabreast.com>
Email: dragon@friendsabreast.com
Manager: kfroment@jetstream.net

Hope Afloat Canada
Comox Valley, BC, Canada

Hope Afloat (Canada) was formed in 2001. We have been blessed to have an experienced coach, Don Irvine, with us since the beginning. Our team paddles in the Comox harbour in the beautiful Comox Valley located on Vancouver Island. We continue to excel as a team in performance, physical fitness and team spirit. We have won various ribbons, medals and trophies, but the race that we have truly won is with breast cancer.

We are so very excited to be a part of this wonderful event where over 60 teams can, get together, race and most of all have fun.
Good Luck to you all and may a cure for breast cancer be around the corner.

Email: jacquigillespie@telus.net or ms.penwood@shaw.ca

Hope Afloat USA
Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, USA

Hope Afloat USA is the FIRST breast cancer survivor dragon boat team formed in Pennsylvania, and proud to be based in the “City of Brotherly Love” – Philadelphia, USA. Since 2001, our bond as a “floating support group” has been the boat, the Schuylkill River where we paddle, and beating breast cancer. Our team was proud to win the 500m Gold and 250m Silver in the 2002 International Dragon Boat Federation Club Crew Championship in Rome.

Our team members hail from the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, with our "youngest" member in her 70’s, and our "oldest" member in her mid-30’s. Collectively, we have over 2000 years of life experience, and 266 years of surviving breast cancer. Some of us are two-time survivors for as long as 34 years, some of us are less than one year from finishing chemo or radiation, and some of us are on "dry land" in treatment for re-occurrence. We are mothers, wives, grandmothers, sisters and daughters. We are nurses, teachers, engineers, retirees, accountants, small business owners, comptrollers, programmers, waitresses, florists, administrators, journalists, and managers. On the face of it, we are your "average" women. Yet, average is not a word we would use to describe ourselves. We are strong and confident, motivated, dedicated and positively focused.

Hope Afloat has provided opportunities to share new goals, new experiences, and to build a new commonality which enriches and strengthens the ties between us. It's not just that we are survivors together - we have paddled and raced together, lifted boats together, traveled together, eaten together, celebrated as well as mourned together. We have built, and will continue to build a whole new set of common experiences which are much more enjoyable than the shared experience of breast cancer. We have built a Team.

We use cancer to “challenge our limits, rather than limit our challenges”. We are dedicated to changing the image of breast cancer survivors in our communities and the world by showing we can: lead full and active lives after breast cancer; network positively with other survivors; provide an alternative forum as a "floating support group"; expand our horizons to try something new and exciting; keep fit and healthy to reduce stress; and most importantly, have FUN!!!! When we hear our coach scream "take me home" to the finish line, we tell ourselves - "we beat breast cancer – just getting in this boat makes us winners - we know we can finish this race!"

Website: www.HopeAfloatUSA.org
Email: JaeTee1960@aol.com (Jean Bozarth, Vice President & Vancouver Race Captain)

Dragon Tamers have competed for two years. Since there were no categories, we raced against mixed teams of male and female paddlers. We competed the course with utmost technical skill, and lots of emotion and pride.
This success gave us a tremendous sense of accomplishment, and the cheering crowds of spectators, family and friends was encouraging. We did not win – but we were winners.

“We see ourselves as role models and hopefully we can change the stereotypes people have about breast cancer survivors.” – Louise

We practice on a small lake here in Kenora.
We have come together through the common experience of Breast Cancer to form a Dragon Boat Team.

Dragon Tamers have their own dragon boat which allows them to get on the water as soon as the weather permits and paddle as often as they want.

Kootenay Robusters
Fruitvale, Trail, Warfield, Rossland, Castlegar, Christina Lake and Grand Forks, British Columbia, Canada.

The Kootenay Robusters was formed as a non-profit, charitable organization in February 2001. We are breast cancer survivors (members living with breast cancer) and associates (members who support the organization).

Our goal is to experience physical, emotional, spiritual and mental wellness at a level each of us find comfortable and personally challenging. Through the dragon boat experience, it is our aim to raise awareness of breast cancer and the uplifting truth that there is life after breast cancer.

Over the winter months the team trains at home or at the gym doing strength exercises and fitness. As soon as Christina Lake thaws out we train 3 times a week for 1 ½ to 2 hrs depending on the light and weather conditions.

We were very fortunate to have received a grant from the Columbia Basin Trust to purchase our own Dragon boat, Dragon head / tail, Drum and Paddles.

The Kootenay Robusters are very active in the community. We take part each year in the annual Canadian Cancer Society - Cancer Relay for Life as well as other fundraising and community awareness events.

We participate in two festivals each season - The Alcan International Dragon boat Festival in Vancouver and the Kelowna Dragon boat Festival.

Email: Liz Stephens, kiwis@look.ca
Website: www.kootenayrobusters.org

Paddling For Life
Powell River, B.B., Canada

Powell River's Breast Cancer survivor team had its beginnings as a supportive exercise group in 1999. Dragon boating interest brought about the creation of "Paddling For Life" in 2001.

An adventurous group of 6 women, who had never paddled before, went to Victoria in 2002 to paddle with two survivor teams and were immediately hooked. We now boast our own boat and trailer, life jackets, paddles and T-shirts and train on beautiful Powell Lake. We've competed in festivals at Port Alberni, Comox, Nanaimo, Victoria and Kelowna. In 2004 we brought home a bronze medal from Nanaimo. Our average age is approximately 55, all united by a disease and an unwavering loyalty to life, laughter and riding the dragon!

The growth and success of the team is due to the extraordinary spirit in the boat and the boundless support from our town. Powell River, the Pearl of the Sunshine Coast, is the most generous community of the West Coast and this past season the interest in the community birthed a sister team of supporters.

This paddling season we are ready to take our next victory home, so opposing teams beware. Paddling For Life is thrilled to be participating in the 10th Anniversary of Breast Cancer dragon boating.

Pink Butterfly - "Butterfly Rosa"
Rome, Italy

Row together for life!

Our team was born in 2002 after a wonderful experience by Orlanda Cappelli in Rome at the Lake for the World Championship. Here, Orlanda met the Canadian, Australian and U.S.A. cancer survival teams. Their cheerfulness together with the encouragement of the Italian Federation President inspired Orlanda to establish the first (and still actually the only) Italian women’s team aged between 40 and 70.

Website: www.erbasacra.com/butterfly
Email: butterflyrosa@erbasacra.com

Team Leaders: Orlanda Cappelli and Ivana Policiti

Pink Phoenix™ Dragon Boat Team
Portland, Oregon, USA

Formed in 1997, Pink Phoenix™ Dragon Boat Team has the honor of being the FIRST breast cancer survivor dragon boat team in the United States

Our team name, Pink Phoenix™, is taken from the symbolic color of breast cancer, pink and the mythical bird, phoenix that consumes itself in fire then rises from its own ashes. Our name symbolizes the disease we have faced and conquered.

Pink Phoenix’s mission is to enhance breast cancer awareness and provide support to other breast cancer survivors.

We paddle year round on the Willamette River, with a view of the downtown Portland skyline. Recent highlights have included a silver medal at the Inaugural Arizona Dragon Boat Festival in March 2004. Six of our team members, newbies, had only been paddling a little over a month. And in 2003, a gold medal at the Inaugural South Pacific Breast Cancer Regatta, in Auckland, New Zealand and a sliver medal a week later at the Wellington National Dragon Boat Festival, in Wellington, New Zealand. “We are proof that there is quality of life after breast cancer.”

Website: www.pinkphoenix.org

Ribbons of Hope
Barrie, Ontario, Canada

Barrie’s Ribbons of Hope, a breast cancer survivor dragon boat team, was started in Barrie, Ontario in 2003. The team has grown from twenty-four to forty-six members and each year we have increased the number of venues we attend. Last year in the Barrie Dragon Boat Festival we won the Spirit Award for the best team spirit. We are not very competitive yet but we sure have a good time.
Barrie is a city of 125,000 situated on Kempenfelt Bay which is part of Lake Simcoe and that is where we practice and participate in the Barrie Festival. We have been quite successful at finding financial support and at fund raising and are very proud to be part of “Ten Years Abreast in a Boat”.

River Spirit
Campbell River, B.C., Canada

In March of 2003 a small group of Campbell River women who had been thrown a curve ball of being diagnosed with breast cancer and wanting to encourage awareness to this affliction, had a vision. They were going to beat the odds to become survivors and decided to put their new found energy, after dealing with the ravages of chemotherapy and/or radiation, behind paddles.

Through the inspiration and assistance of their sister club, Hope a Float in Comox, the River Spirit Dragon Boat Society was formed, and on May 24th, 2003 they took delivery of their boat. Through major fundraising projects and incredible local financial generosity, River Spirit were proud to be able to state that they owned their boat and its trailer after a mere four months. A mind-blowing statement. They have been generously provided free mooring in the Fresh Water Marina which allows them easy assess to the Campbell River and its estuary. With its incredible beauty for their backdrop, this also presents challenging padding as they make their way up river against the strong currents and also tidal influence at the mouth entering Discovery Passage.

They hone their skills by practising from March to October at least twice a week and keep their muscles in tone during the winter months under the artful eye of coach/fitness instructor Sally Feast. They welcome new members to join in this healthy, happy atmosphere where the understanding, camaraderie, inspiration, and health information is limitless and where life, laughter and love is not only sought but found.

Spirit Abreast
Fraser Valley, British Columbia, Canada

Spirit Abreast is a breast cancer survivor team made up of women from the municipalities of Chilliwack, Abbotsford and Langley, B. C. The team was formed in 2002 as a result of one woman’s inspiration after experiencing dragon boat racing with her mom in Nova Scotia (who was a breast cancer survivor). Twenty-two women practiced faithfully, in a leased boat, on Harrison Lake for the first two seasons. In April 4, 2004 the team, through much hard work and fund-raising, was able to purchase and launch their own boat on Cultus Lake.

The team starts practicing as early as February and paddles through to the end of September. This group of friends have had the opportunity to participate in Regattas and Festivals throughout British Columbia, winning a Silver medal in the Kelowna Festival, September 2004.

They continue to share their vision sending a loud message to all women raising awareness and to encourage women living with breast cancer to live full and active lives. We also offer a network of support for husbands, families and friends who have been touched by our illness and the challenge it presents. Spirit Abreast continues to encourage new paddlers to join them in their vision.

“Hope in our boat keeps us afloat, side by side.”
See you there!

Website: www.spiritabreast.com
Email: contact@spiritabreast.com

We are a brand-new team on the Sunshine Coast north of Vancouver. Three of us were coming down to Vancouver by ferry to paddle with Abreast In A Boat so we decided to take the plunge and discovered enough marvellous women to make a team. We practice in picturesque Porpoise Bay amidst blue herons and bald eagles and are part of a larger group of supporters called the Sunshine Dragons. We are a division of the Gibsons Paddle Club which holds the famous Outrigger Festival each July.

As well as those who paddled before with AIAB in False Creek and Barnet, two others paddled in Calgary and Penticton with breast cancer teams. The remainder are novices and we are thrilled to be coming to the AIAB Tenth Anniversary.

Survivors Abreast
Peterborough/Kawartha Lakes area, Canada

Survivors Abreast, founded in 1999, is made up of about 40 breast cancer survivors from all walks of life and ages ranging from early 40’s to 75—all from the Peterborough/Kawartha Lakes area.

The team starts practicing with their coach, Len Minty, poolside at the local YMCA each March before venturing out on Little Lake which is located downtown Peterborough.

Survivors Abreast has been actively raising awareness in the community through their various fund-raising efforts for the regional hospital’s breast assessment centre. Since 2001, it has initiated, hosted and helped organize a community dragon boat festival, which has grown from 26 to 96 teams and raised $175,000 for the hospital last June.

Website:www.survivorsabreast.com

Survivors Abreast
Adelaide, Australia

Adelaide Survivors Abreast Inc. Dragon Boat Team.

Supporting breast cancer awareness and the early detection of breast cancer especially in younger women and men. A newly formed club in Adelaide, we include founding members of the first breast cancer survivor team in our state of South Australia.

With the help of the Singapore team we have helped motivate and inspire the first Malaysian team of survivors to paddle in dragon boats in Kuala Lumpur and Penang
Some of our paddlers have traveled to compete in Rome, Cape Town and Penang over the last 4 years.

During breast cancer awareness month in Australia,.we participate in many breast cancer awareness events to help passionately promote our cause. Our “signature” flower is the bright pink Gerbera & our logo emblem the Leafy Sea Dragon. We train on West Lakes 2 to 3 times a week all year round.

Our “sister” team is the Survivors Abreast team from Peterborough, Ontario and we will be paddling with some of their members in Vancouver giving our boat the international theme of “The Maple & Gum Leaf Team”.

“Life is for living after breast cancer” We have an urge to celebrate life, we want to get fit and have fun…incorporating a competitive spirit. Our club’s members participate in this ancient sport of dragon boat racing with laughter and determination.

Let’s live each day to the full; let’s celebrate life and “seize the day”.

Survivorship
South Okanagan, BC, Canada

Survivorship Dragon Boat Team comes from the South Okanagan. We have 36 team members, who reside in Penticton, Summerland, Okanagan Falls and the surrounding area. Formed in February 2000 ---- we practice 2 to 3 times a week ---- May till September on Skaha Lake at the Southern end of Penticton.

We have entered various Festivals over the years eg. ---- Kelowna, Victoria, and Salmon Arm. We enjoy the fun and the camaraderie of the Festivals and the racing is great. Our team is dedicated to raising awareness of breast cancer in our Community. We can be seen in the Peach Festival Parade with our Dragon Boat handing out carnations and information.

Looking forward to a great Festival in Vancouver!!

Website: www.survivorshipteam.org
E-mail: Pam Beausoleil, pamb@vip.net

‘tit Bateau
New Brunswick, Canada

In 2003 New Brunswick saw the appearance of the province’s first ever dragon boat teams. Southeast New Brunswick’s survivors named their team ‘tit Bateau, giving a nod to their bilingual members, community and province. ‘tit Bateau calls The Shediac Bay Marina home. They practice in the warm salt waters of the Nothumberland Strait from June to September. They can also be seen in Moncton/Riverview’s Petitcodiac River in May and October.

‘tit Bateau is now 31 survivors strong with members’ ages spanning 5 decades. They have taken part in various festivals including the Aliant Dragon Boat Festival in Halifax NS, Race on the River in New Glasgow NS and Dragon Boats for the Cure in Windsor ON. ‘tit Bateau is honoured to be in British Columbia to join so many other survivors at this special event.

Website: www.titbateau.ca

Two Abreast / Côte-à-côte
Montréal, Québec, Canada
Toutes à bord…en santé et solidaires!

Two Abreast/Côte-à-côte was founded on December 14, 1997. We patterned ourselves after Abreast in a Boat and raced with them (along with Dragons Abreast of Toronto) at the Toronto festival in 1998. It was our first ever race – also the team’s first experience in a dragon boat!

We train on a canal located in the city center and race at the Olympic Basin at Parc Jean-Drapeau (the Expo 67 site, where Montreal hosted the Olympics). Our French name, Côte-à-côte means side-by-side, a fitting tribute to what we are all about. We aim for one festival a month from June to September. Thank you Abreast in a Boat for starting this magnificent movement!

Côte-à-côte, Montréal, Québec, Canada
Toutes à bord…en santé et solidaires!

Côte-à-côte, l’équipe montréalaise de bateau-dragon composée de survivantes du cancer du sein, fut fondée en 1997. En hiver, l’équipe s’entraîne au Bassin olympique du Parc Jean-Drapeau et en saison sur le canal Lachine.

Animée d’une admirable joie de vivre, d’une puissante détermination et d’un continuel besoin de dépassement, Côte-à-côte/Two Abreast est fière des succès remportés lors de ses participations aux différents festivals. Toutefois, sa plus grande fierté demeure la persévérance, la volonté et le courage de ses pagayeuses. Celles-ci partagent non seulement le goût de la victoire, mais également celui de l’espoir.

Longue vie à l’équipe de Côte-à-côte/Two Abreast.

Website: www.geocities.com/twoabreast.
Email: dtremblay@ca.inter.net (Donna Tremblay)

Wasabi Team SOAR
Portland, Oregon, U.S.A.

Team SOAR (Survivors On A River) a competitive BCS team belonging to the Wasabi Paddling Club was formed in September 2003. Many of our founding members had prior paddling experience. We have welcomed many new members who have become strong paddlers!

SOAR practices year round on the Willamette River in the sun, rain, and icy cold. Our Team Motto is “From ashes to eagles”. We are breast cancer survivors born from the ashes of cancer destined to soar like eagles. Our Team Mission is to create and maintain a paddling team that supports breast cancer survivor athletes as they “unfurl their wings” as a part of an athletic team. As our world class coaches, Peg and Brenda, always say to us, “We get there together.”

Since we were first formed, SOAR has won gold medals in South Africa, Vancouver, B.C. at Alcan, and China.

Team SOAR’s mantra:

The happy heart runs
with the river,
floats on the air,
lifts to the music,
soars with the eagle,
hopes with the prayer.
Maya Angelou

Website: www.wasabiusa.org
Email: MomtoKandB@comcast.net, cavanaghj@comcast.net

Waves of Hope
Southwestern Manitoba, Canada

Waves of Hope represents southwestern Manitoba. Formed in 1999, they attend festivals in Brandon, Winnipeg, and Regina. Their average age is 62 with about 50 members. They paddle in “Kindred Spirit” on lake Minnedosa in the summer.

They are lucky to have a large number of non-breast cancer women as support members.
Everyone has a secret pal to surprise on special days of the year.

Off season activities include social evenings with lots of food, quilting, scrapbooking, modelling for other groups as well as their own Waves fashion show each year as an annual fund raiser. Everyone models no matter what age or size and the community really responds.

Website: www.cbcn/waves.ca