Who are We?

We are a group of breast cancer survivors of various ages from a great variety of backgrounds, athletic abilities and interests.

High on our list of priorities is having fun, trying new things, meeting interesting people and being involved in a challenging, physical activity whilst promoting breast cancer awareness.

We are the official team of the Breast Cancer Network, Australia ‑ the national voice of Australians personally affected by breast cancer.

If you want to:

Ø get fit

Ø make new friends

Ø have fun

Then Dragon Boating is the sport for YOU!

Call your local State contact for training details and further information. If there is no team in your State, you may even want to start up your own team.

Our Aims

To promote to the community the concept that there is "quality of life" after a breast cancer diagnosis.

To assist women regain a sense of health, wellness and self‑confidence.

To help people with a diagnosis of breast cancer understand that they can still lead full and active lives despite physical limitations imposed by breast cancer.

To give a "face" to breast cancer statistics and thus raising awareness of breast cancer whilst encouraging the search for a cure.

To encourage women to 'achieve their dream' of regaining an active, adventurous life despite a diagnosis of breast cancer.

Some see Dragon Boating as celebrating life on the edge Dragons Abreast sees Dragon Boating as a Celebration of LIFE

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A Little Bit of History

The first breast cancer survivor dragon boat team was established in Vancouver, Canada in February 1996.

The first Australian breast cancer crew took to the water in Darwin in December 1998.

By September 1999 Dragons Abreast had officially formed as a national team with regular crews in ACT, NSW and NT. We competed at the 2000 Australian National Dragon Boat Titles in Penrith, NSW as well as local regattas in Canberra, Newcastle, Sydney and Darwin.

2001 sees the team continuing to grow with paddlers established in QLD and WA.

Today there are approximately 40 breast cancer survivor dragon boat teams around the world. The movement has gained sufficient recognition that a special survivor race category has been added to the 2001 World Dragon Boat Championships.