Towards the end of October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, 300 breast cancer survivors and supporters from around Australia and New Zealand will descend on Hobart for this year’s Pink Paddle Power Regatta. This dragon boating event is organised by Dragons Abreast Australia and the local team, Dragons Abreast Hobart.

Dragon boating may be a surprising fighter against Breast Cancer, but evidence supports its healing benefits. It used to be widely believed that women treated for breast cancer should avoid rigorous upper body exercise for fear of developing lymphoedema, a debilitating and chronic side effect of treatment. Dr Don McKenzie, a professor in the

Department of Sports Medicine (Canada), challenged this theory in 1996.

Dr McKenzie started with 24 female breast cancer volunteers ranging in age from 32 to 64. Dragon boating was chosen due to its strenuous and repetitive movements on the upper body. For three months, he taught and trained them in dragon boating, and at the end, none had lymphoedema.

The women involved reported feeling fitter, healthier, and happier, finding a sense of regaining control over their lives. They realised the impact this could have for many survivors and kept paddling, naming their team ‘Abreast in a Boat’ and inviting others to join.

Dragons Abreast Australia (DAA) was born in 1998. Through the hard work and drive of Michelle Hanton (OAM), a breast cancer survivor herself, ‘Pink Paddling’ began, and the organisation now has more than 1,100 members from around the country in 29 DAA group clubs and celebrated 25 years of advocacy in 2023.

Annie Boulton, a member of DA Illawarra, was diagnosed with breast cancer just after she celebrated her 50th birthday. Like many diagnosed, she felt the heavy weight of such a life-changing diagnosis. After numerous rounds of chemotherapy and surgery, she retired early and moved to Kiama for a change of scenery.

Annie found support and friendship through the Illawarra Breast Cancer Support Group, which led her to meet three of the founding members of Dragons Abreast Illawarra—Helen Bent, Catherine Holland, and Lesley Gal.

Initially hesitant to join the dragon boating team, Annie said, “I told them that I was Irish, and we are not known to like swimming/water sports. I preferred land-based exercise.” The women persisted, and eventually, in October 2013, Annie relented, taking her first paddles on the water. “Since then, I haven’t looked back, and I cherish my time at the club and wherever it takes me.”

In addition to being a paddler, Annie has become a sweep (steering the boat), a coach, and has paddled competitively and socially all over the world. “I have paddled 200m races to marathons. 26 miles up the Thames River, 55 km on the Ord River, 44 km on the Derwent, and 33 km on the Venice canals and around the Venetian islands.”

Annie is thrilled to be the sole representative for the DA Illawarra in the upcoming ‘Pink Paddle Power Regatta’ in Hobart this year from October 25-27, run by Dragons Abreast

Australia, connecting pink paddlers from all around Australia and New Zealand.

Reflecting on her fight against Breast Cancer, Annie now focuses on enjoying what she has rather than what she doesn't have, appreciating the family and friends that show love and support, not looking too far ahead while planning opportunities to paddle PINK around the country and the world, and continuing to help other breast cancer survivors through her work with Dragons Abreast Australia.

Illawarra Dragons Abreast currently has 35 members and trains at 8:15 am on Saturdays and Sundays, and at 5:00 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays alongside the Illawarra Dragon Boating Club at The Rowing Club in Warrawong. A ‘Pink Paddle’ is held on the first Saturday of every month, with the next one taking place on Saturday, 2nd November. If you're interested in joining, you can contact Annie on 0434 563 095.

DAA is a not-for-profit. If you would like to donate or join a team, you can visit Dragons Abreast Australia.