Busy Summer for Cape Breastoners

By Emily Smith, PR, Cape Breastoners Dragon Boat Team

Last Updated: Nov 3, 2005
Articles & News : Articles : Dragon Boating

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Cape Breastoners in Vancouver

Twenty-three members of the Cape Breastoners Dragon Boat Team traveled to Vancouver in late June, 2005 to participate in the first world breast cancer survivors’ dragon boat festival called “10 years ABreast Celebration.” The festival took place at False Creek in downtown Vancouver, with festivities taking place at the beautiful Plaza of Nations and races finishing at Science World. 10 years Abreast Celebration

The “10 years Abreast Celebration” was hosted by “Abreast in a Boat” a dragon boat team from Vancouver and had paddlers from around the world participating. In 1996 there was just one crew of 24 survivors paddling on False Creek. For this celebration 62 of the 95 crews around the world joined them. 

Fun Day on the Mira 2004

Imagine 1600 breast cancer survivors, all in various shades of pink from all these countries and from every province in Canada (except Newfoundland) at the opening ceremonies.  What a high!  It was only four years ago that the Cape Breastoners Dragon Boat Team started and to see our Cape Breton flag flying at the Plaza of Nations with the other countries’ and provinces’ flags was a thrill.  Then there was the unforgettable hush that came over the crowd at the closing ceremonies as people tossed their pink carnations on the water in memory of those who lost their lives to breast cancer. The celebration was an event that will long be remembered.

Demonstration on the Mira

Dragon boating has become an amazing adventure in living, evidenced by the fact that 1600 survivors attended this event.  Teams came from Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Poland, U.S.A. and Canada. We felt an amazing connection with everyone; our common bond was an experience of breast cancer and a love of dragon boating.  The teams were of various experience and strengths.  Our team, the Cape Breastoners, was just starting our fourth season.  Others had been paddling for 10 years. 

Community Team in New Glasgow

It was a weekend of camaraderie, laughter, tears, dancing and singing, and of course friendly competition. Races were held all day Saturday, June 25th and part of Sunday, June 26th.   The Cape Breastoners were able to be part of five races.  For race results visit   Race Results.  Although our team has become a bit competitive our main goal is to have fun and to send a message of hope to people newly diagnosed and those living with the disease. 

After Vancouver it was off to the Dragon Boat Festival in New Glasgow.  This was our team’s most successful visit to this event as we finished a close second in our first heat for the Survivor’s Cup and then won the consolation race to finish fourth overall in that division. 

We have a special bond with the New Glasgow Team, as we were inspired to start our team after our Northside Breast Cancer Support Group was invited to New Glasgow by the “Abreast a River” team to experience dragon boating first hand.  That was in May 2001 and that fall we began organizing a team.  The following summer we had our own boat and participated in the Banook Lake Dragon Boat Festival in Dartmouth. 

A calm day on the Mira River

During the season we paddle twice a week at our home base, the Mira Boat Club.  There are 44 women on the team with many family and friends as supporters. Our season has finished for this year, however, dry land training starts again in February.  New members are always welcome.

Contacts:

Cora Shebib, President  (902) 794-4679 
Emily Smith, PR (902) 794-7105

Links:

www.capebreastoners.thecape.ca

Plaza of Nations http://www.plazaofnations.com/

Science World

Have comments about this article? We'd love to hear from you. Please email us at abcn@abcn.ca!