I’m new to this so here goes following Melanie’s suggestion that I post some info. about dragon boat paddling. Are there any would be paddling breast cancer survivors out there?? No experience necessary…all shapes, sizes and ages welcome!! I belong to a group of women who are in this for fun, fitness and friendship. We are called “Paddlers for Life” and live across Cumbria and Lancashire. The idea is to set up a dragon boat team of breast cancer survivors on Lake Windermere. Up to now, everyone we speak to, thinks it is a fantastic idea. There is heaps of support. We all remember that lost feeling after treatment has finished when we are expected to rebuild a sense of who we are, our confidence and to get on with life. The therapeutic benefits of paddling alongside a team of women on the waters of Lake Windermere (and more…!) will be AMAZING!! The dragon spirit is alive and well! We would love to hear from you.
hi louisa25
just saw your post. Sounds interesting, at present I’m not doing anything active and dragon boat paddling does sound like a fun idea. keep me informed will you. I live in Carlisle so a day in the lakes would do me good.
Hi there,
Sounds great fun and some exercise too. Shame as I am the other end of the country or i would have liked to give it a try.
Hope it goes well
cheers
caroline
Hi Maria & Caroline
I feel bad for not having been around for a while. It was good to see your interest…thank you. We are going from strength to strength…it’s all quite mindblowing. There are some amazing ladies coming on board! Take a look at our website www.paddlersforlife.co.uk. We have a couple of events organised for 2008 and hoping to place our order for the boat before the end of the year. The feeling that “it is meant to be” is so strong! Everyone we speak to is so encouraging and positive about the development. The more the merrier!
Anyone interested from other parts of the country…Pool of Life train in the Docklands (Wendy De Corte), Liverpool and Worcester Busters (Sue Shackleton), yes, no guesses, are putting a team together in Worcester.
Dragons Abreast, Australia and Abreast in a Boat, Canada are worth a look at to get a feel of the whole international Dragon Boat thing for breast cancer survivors. Many of us believe that it is only a matter of time until the UK begins to take off in a similar way. There have already been enquiries from Dublin where women are looking into getting a team together!
Why not come along and give it a try??
Take care, Louisa x
I live in Kendal, so could just about make it to Windermere. By the way, what exactly is dragon boating? Does it involve swigging mead and setting fire to our vessels at sundown, or is it a bit more 21st century than that? Either way, I’m probably up for it (though I still have 15 rads to go before they sign me off, so may be a bit weak and feeble for a while …)
Back home after spending a few days in hospital…on the mend once again!
Maggierg - Course, you’re eligible! Funnily enough, a couple of us have plans to visit the North East in December. We are meeting with Bosom Buddies BC Support Group, Hartlepool to talk about bc and dragon boat paddling. I think some of the ladies are up for joining us during one or both of our events in 2008. Any chance you could come along to Hartlepool? I think it’s a Monday morning. Just a thought!
Anniemay - Manchester! You could either join the Pool of Life crew in Liverpool or us, Paddlers for Life, Windermere (www.paddlersforlife.co.uk). If you visit our website and leave a message, I’ll forward a warm invitation, details of our next meeting on 01.12.07 at a venue just a couple of miles north of Preston.
Stockbeck - Hi! The dragon boat paddling can be anything and everything you want it to be…love the image of the mead and stuff…sure we could oblige! Leave a message / contact on the Paddlers for Life website (above) and will send you some more info. There are a few ladies interested from the Kendal / Staveley area. The 14th December @ Ulverston is a possible meeting arrangement to be confirmed. Would be good to meet up. In the meantime, have a look at www.abreastinaboat.com and www.dragonsabreast.com.au which give an international flavour of things!! Keep strong during the radiotherapy…you’re almost there!
Thank you ALL for your interest, energy and enthusiasm.