A Global Celebration in Vancouver
Submitted by Debbie Mills, Communications Chair, Abreast In A Boat.
A Milestone Event
Abreast In A Boat turns 30! To celebrate this milestone, we invited the breast cancer paddling world to Vancouver, where it all began. And came they did! We welcomed 28 teams from Canada, United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Latin America to join our 6 crews as well as many alumni and supporters.
It was a memorable weekend packed with camaraderie, competition and reflection.
“Pink Eras”
The festivities kicked off in vibrant fashion at the Welcome Reception, themed “Pink Eras.” Creativity was on full display as teams dressed as everything from Mrs. Ropers and Rosie the Riveters to disco queens. Attendees enjoyed food, drinks and music and even a couple of playful unicorns showing off their moves on the dance floor.
A special highlight was the introduction of the “Originals”, members of the very first breast cancer team from 1996. Applause rang out as each was recognized, including three who are still paddling after three decades! And then the moment we were all waiting for – Dr. Don McKenzie, the man who will always hold a special place in the hearts of breast cancer paddlers. Dr. Don’s contribution to the movement extends beyond the original study that started it all. His research and outreach efforts has positively impacted the lives of thousands of breast cancer patients and helped turned breast cancer paddling into the global phenomenon it is now. In 2021 he was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada for his work. Through 30 years he has inspired us, supported us and encouraged us to push our limits to see what is possible.
The Study That Started a Movement
As many of you already know, Abreast In A Boat began as a medical study on the effects of strenuous upper body exercise on women who have had breast cancer treatment. At that time these women were cautioned against engaging in certain sports or even such repetitive activities as knitting for fear of developing lymphedema, a swelling of the arm and chest, that can be incapacitating in severe forms. However, there were no medical studies to prove or disprove the validity of this advice. Dr. Don (as he is now affectionally known) set out to challenge this conventional wisdom aided by Diana Jespersen and Sherri Niesen-Vertommen (now Magee) who assisted with the research as well as coaching.
The study involved training the 24 breast cancer survivors who volunteered for this study (the “Originals”) in the gym and then in the dragon boats while measuring arm circumference throughout the study. The final event of the study, and of the team, was to be racing at the Vancouver International Dragon Boat Festival in June 1996.
Although the study ended after the race, the women in that boat did not want to quit. They felt invigorated and wanted to spread the message that you can live an active life after breast cancer. And as they say, “the rest is history”.
The Abreast In A Boat 30th Anniversary Breast Cancer Division
To celebrate its 30th year, Abreast In A Boat came back to the site of that original race – now the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival. This is the largest dragon boat festival in North America, and this year was the biggest ever with 222 registered teams from 9 countries and about 8,000 paddlers.
The Abreast In A Boat 30th Anniversary Division included 33 teams with padders from Canada, United States, Australia, United Kingdom, Argentina, Brasil, Colombia, Cuba, and Panama. Some of these teams had long histories including some of the first teams formed after Abreast In A Boat started. Others were composite teams who came together just to attend this celebration. One team, the Pink Piston Paddlers from Salmon Arm, BC, registered in the Women’s Division when they were not able to get a full boat of breast cancer paddlers, demonstrating their determination to take part. We are touched that so many paddlers committed the time and resources to mark this special occasion.
The division included a total of 4 x 500m races over the two days, culminating in the D, C, B and Grand Finals on Sunday. While on land, paddlers treated each other like old friends but once on the water, competition was fierce – with adrenalin pumping, everyone focused, digging deep and pushing themselves to get their boat over the line; sometimes just a hair ahead of the next boat. And that is what breast cancer paddling is all about – challenging yourself and coming together with your crew mates.
The Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival is always a very large, exciting, and sometimes overwhelming event. But there is something about adding hundreds of breast cancer paddlers that made it even more electric. The energy in the marshalling tents was incredible as teams took turns showing off their own cheers. We had our own little neighborhood in Racer’s Village where we could connect, share, and trade pins with the other teams. The Abreast In A Boat Pavilion, staffed by our non-racing “Hope Boat” crew members, provided a hub where both breast cancer paddlers and the public could meet up, leave messages or learn more about the history and mission of Abreast In A Boat.
A Powerful Tradition: The Flower Ceremony
The Flower Ceremony has become one of our most treasured traditions and a moving part of many festivals for both participants and spectators as we honor those we have lost to breast cancer and those still living with it. Normally, in Vancouver, we have up to 8 boats in a breast cancer challenge race and then the flower ceremony. In this event there were 18 boats on the water while the other breast cancer crews and the public crowded on the shore. Wherever you were, it was an impressive sight and a deeply emotional experience for many. The speech was given by Brenda Hochachka, one of the “Originals”. It was Brenda who brought flowers from her rose bush for her team mates at the 1996 Vancouver Dragon Boat Festival. This spontaneous gesture became the inspiration for the ceremony that has become such a treasured tradition.
The ceremony featured the song Meet Me At The Light by Desiree Dawson, a Canadian singer/songwriter from White Rock, BC. After throwing carnations into the water, many hugs and some tears, those on the shore headed to the area beside the Abreast In A Boat Pavilion to perform the paddle arch.
The full ceremony, as well as race footage may be viewed on the Dragon Boat BC Youtube channel.
We’ve Come A Long Way Baby
Breast cancer paddling has come a long way since those 24 women first set foot in a boat. There are now over 384 teams from around the world and it continues to grow. The International Dragon Boat Federation has included a Breast Cancer Paddler division in the World Championships this year for the first time. Everyone who has picked up a paddle after breast cancer treatment has helped turn this into a global movement that encourages each of us to test our own limits while supporting each other. There is no other community like the breast cancer paddling community and we are thankful for all the participants who came to help us celebrate this very special milestone and for all the volunteers who helped make it a reality. We can’t wait to see what else the future holds.
