Kootenay Robusters Dragon Boat Team

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Kootenay Robusters Dragon Boat Team

This is a non-profit organization for breast cancer survivors and associates to experience physical, emotional, spiritual and mental wellness.

The Kootenay Robusters began in early 2001, the brainchild of a Trail nurse and breast cancer survivor. After hearing about the "Abreast in A Boat," teams, she and several other women whose lives had been touched by breast cancer decided to start a local team and so, with no dragon boat, no paddling experience, and the closest lake miles away, the Robusters team was formed. Women from the Kootenay

communities of Trail, Castlegar, Rossland, Christina Lake and Grand Forks came together, with the iniitial goal of competing in Vancouver's dragon boat festival in June. Members included bothe breast cancer survivors and associate paddlers who joined to support the survivors. The women embarked on a strength and fitness program, and after leasing a dragon boat from the coast, began paddling in late May on Christina Lake. With just one month's training the team headed to Vancouver. In September the team raced in Kelowna, placing 2nd in the Breast Cancer Challenge race.

09/01/2026

Thank you creek services 💖💖💖 for fixing up our iconic bench at Christina Lake Tourism

08/15/2026

08/08/2026

We are so lucky to have Melina‘s energy and superstar paddling skills join the team this year. Can we bottle some of that energy? A great time was had by Robusters old and new at the Harrison Hot Springs Festival this year Dragon Boat BC💪🌟💖

08/07/2026

It has been an unprecedented season for us Robusters as we welcomed 12 -yes that’s right TWELVE- new paddlers this season.

Of these 12, six joined us in Harrison Hot Springs for their first festival as a Robuster last month and they did so good!
We are delighted to have so many new paddlers this season and really enjoy what they add to our team. Welcome. 🤗

08/06/2026

No, you’re not seeing things.

There’s a new girl on the water at Christina Lake. She’s a little wider, she glides like a dream, and you can find her with a large entourage at least three days a week.

The Kootenay Robusters are tickled to have a new Dragon Boat after it no longer became safe to paddle ours. We extend our most heartfelt thank you to the Cranbrook Dragonboat team who answered the call and offered up a ‘new to us’ dragon boat which was carefully collected and driven home to Christina Lake last week by some dedicated Robusters.

We are so incredibly grateful and our constantly inspired by the camaraderie in the Dragon Boat community. Thank you to everyone who made this happen 🙏

08/05/2026

Look and look again. 👀

No you’re not seeing things, it’s our “tug-of-war” one of our favourite challenges at practice. Which side is your money on? 😆

07/28/2026

Dragon Boat BC

07/27/2026

On Friday, June 25, the Kootenay Robusters piled into the Nitehawks bus for a trip to the Harrison Hot Springs Dragon Boat Festival. We enjoy attending this mid season racing event to get us tuned up for the final festival In Penticton, coming up in September. On Saturday, we had the rare experience of racing in clear, cool air with some rain showers - which provided a change from the hot and smoky atmosphere at home.

Because of an unfortunate clerical error, the Robusters were entered in the mixed team racing events, which meant we were competing with teams of 8 women and 12 men. Not letting that stop us, the Robusters paddled hard through wind and waves, achieving some excellent race times - better than any we’ve done so far this year. For our best race of the festival, we covered the 500 meter course in 2 minutes 24 seconds. This was a faster time than most of the women’s teams achieved, so we were pleased with our day of racing. It isn’t always about the medals!

Of course the very best thing about going to festivals is sharing fun times together with team mates. Long conversations on the bus, interesting stops along the way, hiking the Harrison trails, teamwork to set up and furnish our tent (and lay out the tasty treats everyone brought), and the final dinner together complete with a birthday celebration and more than a few bottles of wine. We all agreed that there’s more work to do but we can’t wait for Penticton.

07/22/2026

New Kootenay Robuster Fran is so pumped for our first festival of the season this weekend at Harrison Dragonboat Festival that she dyed her hair to match our team logo! 💖🐉❤️🌟

Fun Fact: Fran is new to us, but is a seasoned paddler by way of the Cranbrook Dragon Boat Club. We’re sure greatful to have her great paddling skills and her colourful personality on board.

07/15/2026

On a Dragon Boat Team in North America?
Please watch- we need your help.

Earlier this season it became undeniable that this will be our last season with our Dragon boat.

While we had an idea our time together may be coming to an end, we didn't realize it would be this soon

And now our journey begins as we source a new boat for the next chapter of Kootenay Robuster her-story.

Fellow Dragon Boat teams, we want to hear from you!

If you have tips, contacts or insights on wonderful Dragon Boat renters, sellers and manufacturers please send us a dm, tag them below or email us [email protected]

thank you for your support

Address

Trail, BC
V1R

Website

http://www.kootenayrobusters.com/

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