IDBF World Championships

Submitted by Meri Gibson.  

Following the success of the inclusion of the breast cancer paddler category in the IDBF world Championships in Brandenberg, Germany this year, we assessed the ruling we introduced into the IDBF Rules of racing. We felt it would be pertinent to slightly change the wording so that it removed the need to have an annual diagnosis because as we know it is not a disease that ever goes away, it is a diagnosis for life. We also wanted to remove the need to confirm a “fitness to paddle.”

The motion below was presented at the recent IDBF Congress and was unanimously approved.
Wording of the inclusion of BCP in the IDBF World Dragon Boat Racing Championships.
IBCPC Proposal for word change.
CR8.8.2a
A rewording of the previous rule was introduced for breast cancer paddlers to compete in the World Dragon Boat Racing Championships starting in 2025, requiring a medical certificate proving diagnosis and fitness to paddle.

That wording proposed, voted and approved is as below.

“Breast cancer survivor paddlers provide a medical certificate as proof of diagnosis of breast cancer and fitness to paddle. A card copy of this certificate must be carried by the manager and provided on request.”

We did not receive any complaints or questions about this rule or its wording prior to the championship. At the championship I was involved with Bridget Walter, Chair of the IDBF Medical Commission in checking randomly paddlers certification. Whilst doing this there were some questions raised about the need to get a re-certification of diagnosis, but not about the fitness to paddle.

Some confusion arose after the championship regarding the interpretation of "fitness to paddle," which was clarified as medical approval after treatment completion rather than physical fitness tests. The existing criteria for IBCPC and its members states paddlers should wait six months post-treatment before participating.

Summary:

• Initial rule and implementation: Breast cancer paddlers must provide a medical certificate as proof of diagnosis and fitness to paddle, with a copy carried by the team manager and available on request. This rule was first applied at the 2025 championship in Germany.

• Issues and clarifications: Questions arose about the need for re-certification and the meaning of fitness to paddle, clarified as medical approval post-treatment rather than physical fitness tests. The six-month waiting period after treatment is a longstanding guideline.
  

Proposed wording change: This proposal suggests changing the rule to require only a medical certificate proving diagnosis, removing the word "survivor," and keeping the requirement that the certificate be carried by the team manager for verification.

I would like to put forward a proposal to change the wording. It seems slightly incongruous because we have only just had it included, but it is important that we listen and ensure the wording is fit for purpose. The proposed wording is:

“Breast cancer paddlers (BCP) provide a medical certificate as proof of diagnosis of breast cancer. This certificate can be the original proof of diagnosis. A hard copy of this certificate must be carried by the team manager and provided on request.”