40 Reasons Why Dragon Boat Paddling is Brilliant for Breast Cancer Survivors.
From Vancouver Island Dragon Boat teams.
I want to share my 40 reasons why dragon boat paddling is brilliant, especially after a breast cancer diagnosis:
It’s great for improving range of movement at the shoulder
It’s great for improving general fitness
It’s great for improving strength
It’s great for improving flexibility
It’s great for improving core stability
It’s great for improving coordination
It’s great for improving proprioception
It’s great for improving balance
It’s great for increasing energy levels
It’s exercise, but you don’t have to think of it as such (for those that don’t like exercise)
It will help promote better sleep
It helps to manage lymphoedema
It helps to maintain your weight
It helps reduce your risk of cancer recurrence
It encourages team-working
It encourages problem-solving
It can challenge you to go out of your comfort zone
You get to try, develop and master new skills
It builds camaraderie
It helps to build confidence and self esteem
It helps to restore self-efficacy
It gets you very close to nature
It’s great fun, you will laugh
With top quality helms and coaches you can be assured that you are in safe hands, your safety and the safety of the crew is their priority
You get the chance to train as a helm or coach if you so desire
It encourages you to focus your mind on the task in hand, therefore:
It’s great mindfulness practice
You’ll make new friends
It will open the door to a thriving social calendar
You get to experience how amazing it feels to have a full boat of paddlers all paddling in sync with each other
You get to take part in regattas
You get to take part in regattas that are only for breast cancer survivors
It allows you to see the world from a different viewpoint – from within the boat on the water
You get to go to places you’ve never been before
You are part of a growing global community of breast cancer survivor paddlers.
People are looking on at you in amazement – you’ll feature in lots of tourist’s videos
You are spreading the message that there is life after cancer
You are supporting other women affected by breast cancer
Your are inspiring other women to pick up a paddle
It’s a demonstration of your AWESOMENESS
So there you are, 40 reasons to give it a go!
Find a club near you and go along for a trial paddle. If there isn’t a club near you, then maybe you could think of setting one up.
All clubs started somewhere, usually with one person with a vision, and a dream, and a will to make things happen! Paddles Up!
