Competition changing lives

Although the sport of dragon boating dates back more than 2,000 years, it was not until 1996 that a link between this ancient sport and breast cancer recovery was established.

It was at this time that Dr Don McKenzie of the University of British Columbia launched a pilot programme named Abreast in a Boat – the result of an observed correlation between repetitive upper body exercise and the prevention of the inflammatory condition lymphoedema.

A life-changing programme

The success of this pilot resulted in expansion of Abreast in a Boat, and it became a programme practised by thousands of breast cancer survivors worldwide. Having been diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997, Wairarapa resident Lindy Daniell sought to reap the many benefits of dragon boating during her recovery. In 2005, she joined Wellington-based club CanSurvive – training and competing with them for four seasons before setting up her own club a bit closer to home.

Lindy says that the Wairarapa Dragon Boat Club, which now has over 25 members, provides the opportunity for women who have gone through breast cancer as well as their family and friends to get together, train, get fit and work as a team towards a common goal.

The team, which comprises of members aged 12–73, trains once to twice a week and competes in regattas from Lake Karapiro to Lake Hood, picking up medals and trophies as they go. “Age is no barrier for us – in fact, I paddled once with a lady of 84 and she was still as tenacious and competitive as ever,” says Lindy.

An expanding fleet

Since its inception, the Wairarapa Dragon Boat Club has increased its fleet from two boats to four, purchased uniforms and, with the help of a Nikau Foundation grant, updated its paddles. Lindy says the new paddles, made of lightweight carbon fibre, are an incredible upgrade from the older, blunt paddles. “They shave seconds off our times, which, in the dragon boating world, can be the difference between winning and coming last.”

The introduction of such an important initiative has had no shortage of special moments for Lindy as she sees club members become stronger and fitter while forging solid friendships and bonds. “Every time we go for a paddle, I look back at everyone and think, ‘This is bloody brilliant!’ – seeing so many paddlers together working hard with such a sense of camaraderie is really amazing,” says Lindy.

The Wairarapa Dragon Boat Club team will continue to compete throughout 2021, and with their track record and the goal of winning the women’s division at Nationals, they are sure to be formidable competitors.