Why Dragon Boating? | Knot A Breast

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The Inspiring Story Behind Breast Cancer Survivor Dragon Boat Racing

Dr. Don McKenzie, a renowned Canadian sports medicine physician, is credited with starting the breast cancer survivor dragon boat movement.

In the mid 1990s he challenged the prevailing medical thinking that recommended minimizing upper body exercise for those who had undergone breast cancer treatments for fear of negative repercussions such as lymphedema. Dr. McKenzie’s research study created a breast cancer survivor group that trained as a dragon boat team and demonstrated that there were no negative effects from the program on the participants and in fact there were positive outcomes.

What started as a single team has turned into a global movement led by Canadians. In 2005, the International Breast Cancer Paddlers’ Commission (IBCPC) was formed in Vancouver B.C. to encourage the establishment of breast cancer dragon boat teams within the spirit of participation and inclusiveness. That same year, the first international festival was hosted, bringing together paddlers from around the world. Knot A Breast is one of the early teams that were formed in Canada.

Today, over 360 breast cancer survivor dragon boat teams paddle in 39 countries across the globe. Each stroke of the paddle symbolizes strength, resilience, and a refusal to be defined by cancer. Through paddling, survivors are raising awareness, fostering support, and proving that life after breast cancer is vibrant, active, and unstoppable.