The BreastStrokes Breast Cancer Survivor Dragon Boat Racing Team proudly took off from its Puslinch Lake dock Saturday morning in its brand new dragon boat “DragonFly.”
Funding assistance from the Kitchener Waterloo Zonta Club and Ontario’s Trillium Foundation, helped purchase the new practice boat.
Novice and veteran BreastStrokes team members will now begin training for local, national and international dragon boat races.
Once on the water, BreastStrokes paddlers participated in the traditional flower ceremony, to treasure the memories of the group’s four deceased paddlers with a moment of silence as they scattered carnations over the water.
The BreastStrokes Dragon Boat Team formed in Guelph, in 1998. “DragonFly” is moored on Puslinch Lake where paddlers from Guelph, Kitchener and Cambridge practice two to three times per week and the team works hard to promote awareness of health, life and laughter after breast cancer.
Through the generosity of the community, the group was able to purchase additional life jackets, team shirts, and DragonFly’s protective ‘skin’ – sporting a long black dragon and the name on the bright red hull. BreastStrokes team members celebrate life through the pursuit of fitness and wellness, mutual support, community philanthropy, and competition in Dragon Boat Festival races.
For those wishing to paddle, visit www.breaststrokes.org or www.facebook.com/TheBreastStrokes, then get in touch. The group supplies the equipment and professional coaching – participants bring their enthusiasm.
