Dragons Abreast Australia

17/06/2026

We love your work Tania, and hope you love your new position in the club. Looking forward to seeing you in Adelaide at the next AusChamps.

Here’s our next amazing Amazon . I would like to introduce everyone our latest coach to the Amazon team Tania

Dragonboating
For those who don’t know me, I’ve been paddling for more than 20 years, making me one of the Club’s founding members. Over that time, I’ve held a variety of leadership roles—possibly because I seem to have an opinion on most things!
I’ve paddled in every seat in the boat, although I have never been a drummer. I suspect that may be because I’m round! Then again, as I like to remind myself, like an hourglass figure, round is a shape.
I’ve also had go at sweeping, however given I sometimes struggle to balance on two feet on solid ground, I’ve wisely decided to leave that role to others!
Am I the strongest paddler in the boat– no. Am I the loudest paddler in the boat - hell YES!
Outside of dragon boating, I’m retired but still a registered nurse. I’m also a Mum, Nonnie, Aunt, Sister, and widow. My husband died some years ago, and I’m still not entirely sure I’ve forgiven him.
So why dragon boating? Back in the early 2000s, a small group of us were looking for a new sport or activity.

We tried a few things before hearing about a dragon boat club that was just getting established. The cause behind the sport was close to our hearts, so we thought, “Why not?” The rest, as they say, is history.
Today, I’m a Level 1 Coach and proud to be part of a highly skilled coaching team that encourages every paddler to discover just how good they can be.
When I’m not on the water, you’ll often find me with a glue gun and some paper, a crochet hook in hand, or creating something in the kitchen. I firmly believe there’s a song for every occasion and always a reason to celebrate something!
What I love most about this Club is the sense of belonging it creates. It’s a community of women, each with her own story, who come together to support, encourage, and lift one another through life’s challenges and celebrations. Over the years, this Club has become far more than a place to paddle—it has become a second family, filled with friendship, laughter, resilience, and shared purpose. After more than two decades, I’m grateful not only for the sport, but for the people who have made this journey so meaningful and for the lasting connections that keep bringing us back to the water together.

16/06/2026

Please see the link below to access the June edition of the IBCPC newsletter. Full of updated information about the upcoming 2026 IBCPC Participatory Dragon Boat Festival, France and details on the Managers Meeting, Congress, Sandy Smith and IBCPC vacant positions up for election. Happy reading!

https://internationalbreastcancerpaddlerscommission.rocketspark.co.nz/blog/tag/86823/June+2026/

15/06/2026

Thank you to the Western Bulldogs AFLW Club for taking the time to visit Dragons Abreast Ballarat learning about the Pink Paddling movement and the incredible legacy of dragon boating in supporting breast cancer survivors. ❤️🤍🩵

For almost 30 years, Dragons Abreast Australia has provided connection, hope, friendship and a pathway back to health for thousands of women and men impacted by breast cancer.

We are proud to share our story and grateful for opportunities to raise awareness of the power of paddling and the strength of our community.
🐲🎀

14/06/2026

Here’s to women becoming stronger, fitter and more confident- thriving after Breast Cancer 💖🐲👏

🩷 The Story Behind the Boat – Week 3 of 5

In the 1990s, many women recovering from breast cancer were advised to avoid strenuous upper-body exercise.

Doctors and health professionals genuinely believed that activities such as paddling, lifting weights, tennis, golf, gardening and other repetitive arm movements could increase the risk of lymphoedema after breast cancer treatment.

The advice was well-intentioned, but it often left women feeling restricted, fearful and uncertain about what their bodies were capable of after cancer.

A Canadian sports medicine physician, Dr Don MacKenzie, questioned that belief.

He recognised that avoiding exercise could itself have consequences — reduced strength, loss of confidence, poorer fitness, weight gain, reduced bone density and a lower quality of life.

Rather than accepting conventional wisdom, he decided to test it.

In 1996, Dr MacKenzie recruited 24 breast cancer survivors and formed a dragon boat team called Abreast In A Boat.

The team trained and paddled as part of a groundbreaking research project.

What happened next changed breast cancer recovery around the world.

The research showed that dragon boat paddling did not worsen lymphoedema and could be both safe and empowering for breast cancer survivors.

Women became stronger.
They became fitter.
They became more confident.

Most importantly, they discovered they did not have to be afraid of using their bodies again.

The findings challenged decades of accepted thinking and helped transform how breast cancer rehabilitation is viewed worldwide.

The study wasn't really about dragon boating.
It was about proving that breast cancer survivors could be strong, active and capable after treatment......living fully.

Dr MacKenzie's work also contributed to a much broader understanding that exercise is a powerful part of cancer recovery and survivorship, helping to improve physical health, emotional wellbeing and quality of life.

The success of the study sparked a worldwide movement.

Dragon boat teams for breast cancer survivors began appearing across Canada, Australia and around the globe.

Today, more than 400 breast cancer paddling teams across 41 countries are connected through the International Breast Cancer Paddling Commission (IBCPC), with thousands of women paddling together in a powerful demonstration of strength, resilience and survivorship.

Nearly 30 years later, groups like Dragons Abreast Central Coast continue to carry that legacy forward every time we launch a boat on Budgewoi Lake.

We are living proof of the message that started with 24 women in Vancouver:

Recovery is not about standing still.

It's about moving forward together. 🩷🚣‍♀️

🩷 Next week (4 of 5): The birth of Dragons Abreast Australia and how the movement found its way to our shores.

12/06/2026

A reminder for Member Groups to get in your RSVP to attend the important upcoming SGM. Notification of attendees to be advised by 5pm 15th June, 2026 to [email protected]

11/06/2026

Dragons Abreast Newcastle Hunter members were honoured to attend the Newcastle screening of the film Conquering Breast Cancer. The film features team member, Sandra Sturgess sharing her experiences of living with metastatic Breast Cancer, and the importance of dragon boat paddling in her journey. Sandra spoke beautifully in a Q&A after the screening.

DA Newcastle Hunter were also joined by members of Dragons Abreast Central Coast
Members from DA Adelaide, DA Geelong and DA Melbourne have also attended screenings.

The film is screening around Australia - you can find your local session here https://conqueringcancercampaign.com/conquering-breast-cancer/see-the-film/

Conquering Cancer Campaign

10/06/2026

🎶🇦🇺🐉 It’s here! Our DAA France Song! 🩷🇫🇷
Created especially for the Australian paddlers, supporters and friends heading to the 2026 IBCPC Festival, this song celebrates friendship, courage, Aussie mateship and the magic of the DAA family.
Learn the chorus, sing it loud, and let’s make sure France hears the Aussies coming!

Dragons Abreast Australia in France celebrates the heart of our DAA...

10/06/2026

MBC Action Australia was formed to advance the collective voice of people affected by metastatic breast cancer. They have a fantastic new resource - the Metastatic Breast Cancer Information and Support Hub.

The MBC Hub is now live. Please share it with anyone who needs it, so everyone can access the support they deserve.



https://mbchub.au/?fbclid=IwdGRjcASVqO9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEer0AidKfAlF_HoOL9N8cpZBKRf9vGIqoEVsVHPsHlB5h-_3ALChgczAltjbc_aem_8NFa1g39jVin5YJ6IvM0JA

Get the help you need for metastatic breast cancer

09/06/2026

Happy Birirthday to our wonderful DAA Marketing Director Sharon

06/06/2026

Board members Annie, Sharon and Pearl attended the Dragon Boats NSW conference last weekend. Over two jam packed days we received tips on coaching, recruitment and retention, social media 101, and got a forward preview of the events in the year ahead. It was great to be in the room surrounded by club committee members from around the state, full of friendship, enthusiasm and lots of sharing of ideas.