Latest News from IBCPC

Hello from Peterborough, Canada!

We’ve finally dug ourselves out from under the winter blahs... now we are ready to “spring” forward.

We, the Steering Committee, along with our teammates and many volunteer organizers are running around like busy Canadian beavers, making plans, plans and more plans for your arrival in June 2010.

One piece of great news – our new website is now up and running! The communications gang will be posting news flashes, contact information, and program details, on a regular basis, so check it out at www.survivorsabreast.com.

On the registration front, congratulations go to the paddlers who have already sent in their early registration forms and payment. Remember that “early bird” registration closes September 30, 2009. Also, requests to book accommodations are coming in almost daily now.

Yes, we are getting ready for you! We will be sending bulletins regularly to keep you up to date about plans for 2010.

Sincerely
The Steering Committee
International Dragon Boat Festival 2010

Thursday 30th April 2009 - Position Statement - The Steering Committee has been asked for a position on inclusion of individuals with genetic predisposition to breast cancer who have undergone prophylactic mastectomy at IBCPC Participatory Festivals. The current position is that a diagnosis of breast cancer is required in order to be classified as a breast cancer survivor crew member. We acknowledge this is a very emotive issue and a matter of great importance. It is for this reason that the Steering Committee believes this requires informed discussion with as many teams as possible with regards to potential implications for future exemptions. This topic will be on the agenda for discussion by teams attending the Peterborough IBCPC International Participatory Festival in June 2010.

Friday 20th March 2009 - Registration Package for Peterborough 2010 is located here. Get in early and there is a discount!

Monday 24th November 2008 - Click here for Postcard

TOP REASONS WHY TEAMS WILL LOVE PETERBOROUGH IN 2010!

Peterborough has “heart” and is known to be a caring, generous community, ready to welcome visitors with open arms and to get “pink” for the festival.

• The location is ideal with plenty of tourist attractions in the immediate and surrounding area. Accommodation is plentiful and reasonable! And, there are opportunities for travel farther a field to major centres, such as Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Niagara Falls.
• For the past eight years the team and volunteers from the community have had great success organizing the local festival, with over 100 teams participating, which means Peterborough is well prepared for the event.
• You’ll be safe with us. Peterborough Festival’s emphasis on safety policies and equipment will ensure a safe and secure event. Great White North, an IDBF approved dragon boat company, is taking care of the race logistics.
• Teams will be provided with convenient transportation to make their stay relaxed and carefree—all the better to concentrate on fun and racing. The distance between the paddlers’ accommodation and the paddling site is about four miles or less. Buses will pick up participants at the various accommodations and provide transportation for the paddlers and supporters to events taking place during the festival.
• Hospitality will be tops. You can look forward to an elegant sit down dinner for the Saturday night gala, a yummy welcoming barbeque hosted by the Mayor following opening ceremonies, delicious and healthy lunches for race days, and a beer garden with waterfront views.
• You will be entertained! The planning committee is promising top entertainment throughout the weekend and Dr. Don McKenzie has tentatively accepted our invitation to participate.  
• Peterborough’s festival has been praised for its memorable, unique and respectful flower ceremony.  You will not be disappointed in 2010!
• The Peterborough host team is interested in organizing a boot camp/clinic to train team members as steer-persons and drummers in 2009 to ensure there are enough qualified steers for the practices and races at the Participatory Festival.
• Workshops are planned on a variety of topics to meet participating teams’ needs and interests.
• The waterfront team village will be situated on half of the perimeter of the lake and will offer full view of races.
• Other aspects of 2010 to look forward to include: plenty of vendors for retail therapy, information/awareness booths, opportunity for teams to sell their wares in the village, optional pre-arranged tours of the surrounding area, a comprehensive information package for all teams on all you need to know about the festival, and an easy to navigate website to register, get and download information and keep current on news of 2010.
• Fun, razzametazz, sisterhood, camaraderie, and pink everything!  

ANTICIPATED PROGRAM SUMMARY

Tuesday 21st October 2008 -

The IBCPC judges have now completed the assessment of the 5 bids that were received for the IBCPC 2010 Participatory Festival. In reaching a final decision the judges took into account the following 4 key factors :

• Experience in raising breast cancer awareness
• Solid support and sponsorship from the local community
• Credentials of the organizing committee to manage the event 
• Experience within the breast cancer participatory section of dragon boat racing