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Dragon Boat Charity On Voyage Of Hope And Inspiration |
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Thursday, 31 January 2008 |
 A new cancer charity is taking to the water at the Low Wood Hotel in Windermere on 26 January 2008.
Paddlers for Life is an inspiring new initiative aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of people who have survived cancer, especially breast cancer, through dragon boating.
Set up by a small group of women from Lancashire and Cumbria, the team of paddlers will be based at the Low Wood Marina on Windermere, England’s longest lake.
Paddlers for Life Secretary Louisa Balderson says: “Dragon boat racing has been proven to make a big difference to the lives of people who have survived cancer and we want to help spread the message that there is life after cancer.
“There is nothing quite so special as being on the water in the boat, sat side by side with people who have all been on the same journey, with your partner, daughter or friend. We all know how each other feels. The rhythm of the drum and the boat on the water is so healing.”
The cancer dragon boat phenomenon started in 1996 in British Columbia when a sports medicine doctor formed the first crew. Dr Donald McKenzie believed that physical activity involving teamwork and rowing could give survivors both physical and emotional benefits, as well as helping to build friendships and support networks.
Today there are more than 100 breast cancer survivor dragon boat racing teams around the world, including Australia, New Zealand and the United States.
The Cumbria-based decorated dragon boat, sponsored by sports charity BOOST, will arrive on the lake in the spring ready for the charity’s first paddling session. Before that, members will take part in a dry training programme to prepare them to take to the water in the new boat.
A dragon boat is approximately 40 feet long and a team consists of 20 paddlers with one steers-person and one drummer who keeps the beat of the stroke.
English Lakes Hotels is providing free storage for the group’s dragon boat at the Low Wood, as well as allowing them to use other facilities at the hotel’s watersports centre. English Lakes Hotels is also hosting the launch of Paddlers for Life as a charity at the Low Wood.
Colin Fox from English Lakes Hotels says: “Paddlers for Life offer the ideal approach to helping those suffering or recovering from cancer to get involved in something exciting and challenging. Dragon boat racing is an admirable approach and a very positive way to get together with others who have been through similar circumstances. The Low Wood has the ideal facilities for the group so we were more than happy to provide our support.”
At the special launch event, there will be a series of talks on the beneficial effects of rebuilding health, fitness and wellbeing through dragon boat racing, followed by a commemorative ceremony called Flowers on the Water to remember those who have lost their battle with cancer.
Anyone who would like to get involved in Paddlers for Life, or who would like to offer sponsorship or donations, can find more information and contact details on the group’s website - www.paddlersforlife.co.uk.
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