Introducing Dragons Abreast from Toronto, Canada

In 1997, our founder began encountering members of AIAB at breast cancer conferences and was struck by their enthusiasm for an unfamiliar sport called dragon boating. Then she had the opportunity to go out in a practice boat and was convinced Toronto should have such a team for those recovering and living with breast cancer. Thirty-three nervous and inexperienced women met in November 1997 and agreed to take on the dragon boat challenge. In the spring of 1998, they took to Lake Ontario, and realized their lives were about to change. Dragon boating already existed in Toronto under the auspices of The Chinese Business Association, so boats, coaches and festival venues were readily available.

1998 was a memorable year with 3 Festival venues, 2 in Toronto and the 1st road trip to Montreal where a special bond was formed. It was also memorable as the first team member died that summer and the reality of living with breast cancer hit members with an unexpected force. Since that year, there have been many more Festivals; membership reached 120 some years, and currently has settled at 76 with an age range of 34 -85. We have seen 44 members pass away over the 18 years the team has existed; a fact that has kept us focused on our mission to raise awareness of life after breast cancer and supporting a range of cancer organizations in their work to reduce breast cancer.

The most memorable adventures are as varied as team members and would make a page long list; we have enjoyed international travel, all IBCPC Participatory Festivals and the joy of seeing new members discover dragon boating each year. In 2001, Dragons Abreast hosted the 2nd conference for the growing number of breast cancer teams, and in 2002, the book How to Ride a Dragon: Women with breast cancer tell their stories, was published and in 2015 two Dragons Abreast Toronto crews participated in celebrating Abreast in a Boats’ 20th anniversary at the Peterborough venue.

Dragons Abreast members have participated in many media events, music videos and documentaries throughout the years. The team was filmed in Justin Hine’s music video Courage and most recently in a documentary about one of our past team members in Given Your History.

Dragons Abreast Toronto is a supporter of Wellspring, the CBCF Run for the Cure/ Paddle for the Cure, Willow Breast and Hereditary Cancer Support, Gilda’s Club Greater Toronto and The Yonge Street Mission. Our generous Sponsors/ Donors included Jones New York, Precise Park Link, Mississauga Chargers Hockey Team and we are most thankful to our main sponsor, Scotia Bank for their continued support over the years.

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