Submitted by Meri Gibson. It is Easter weekend in New Zealand as I sit and write this update for you. It has been raining the whole weekend and the dragon boat season for us is now well and truly over. By the time this goes to print the Australian Dragon Boat Federation will have held their national championships over the last weekend in April. I am also starting to see comments coming through of people training now in the northern hemisphere. The lifecycle of the dragon continues across the globe.
I am super excited to see so many countries will be representing breast cancer paddling at the IDBF World Nations Championship in Brandenburg, Germany in July this year. It has been truly heartwarming for me to know that to push for this inclusion has not been in vain. The numbers for this event are phenomenal and I am absolutely convinced that is in huge part due to the number of breast cancer teams that will be coming from countries that may not have in the past competed at the world nations. Let us show them that we are strong. Whilst we are always about participation for those of us who are interested in a pathway to top level sports it is available to them, and now at the highest level possible. I know that everyone will be training hard as the training camps begin in earnest in the next month or so and I look forward to seeing you and your smiling faces competing at this high-level. “Bon chance/good luck” to all involved.
I was lucky enough to be sponsored on a trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to accept an opportunity to meet with important people that can help us to develop the sport of dragon boat further for breast cancer paddlers in that region. You can read further on in this newsletter about this visit.
You can also read further in the newsletter about the timeline for the bid process for the 2030 IBCPC festival. Please take note of the dates and ensure that any of you that are interested in putting in a bit for 2030 to make yourselves available for the workshops that will be held in late July this year.
Also, further in this newsletter you will find an expression of interest (EOI) document with regards to a new role as an IBCPC board member taking on Marketing and Sponsorship. We bid farewell to Annette Johnson as she takes up the role of Regional Co-Ordinator for the US. Annette recognises that this is a key role and wants to give it all her attention. Also stepping down as breast cancer representative on the US Dragon Boat Federation is Betty Solley. Annette will also take on this role. Betty has given incredible service to IBCPC since its inception and is now wanting to devote more time to her family. We are incredibly grateful to the service that both these warrior women have given to IBCPC to further the cause of breast cancer paddling. Please read the articles for expression of interest
We continue to experience growth, we are sitting at just under 400 teams across 40 countries, but we know there is still a lot of work to do. We have not taken any of this development for granted and fully realise the importance of continuing to develop breast cancer Dragon boat paddling across the globe.
On that note we also wish to congratulate Abreast in a Boat who will celebrate 30 years from formation this year. This amazing team which now sits at seven distinct locations across Vancouver took charge from the early days and thanks to the initiatives of Dr. Don McKenzie and others who thought to challenge the thinking that exercise following a diagnosis of breast cancer was not a good thing. We are grateful for the risks they took and the brave challenges they faced. The IBCPC board and I whole heartedly congratulate Abreast in a Boat.
Happy paddling everyone, enjoy your season for whatever stage it may be at.
Best regards,
Meri
