The International Breast Cancer Paddlers’ Commission holds an international dragon boat festival every four years, and we participate.
This is our Olympics. Thousands of athletes – all breast cancer survivors – and their supporters arrive from around the globe to compete and celebrate both the games and the journey.
France (2026)
The International Breast Cancer Paddlers Commission is holding its next festival in 2026. We will see you in France!
New Zealand (2023)
We went to the New Zealand Dragon Boat Festival in April 2023. It was both a sporting event and a social occasion with about 5,000 people between the ages of 20 and 80 from all over the world. We joined other athletes who were participating in the exciting dragon boat races — paddling together on the beautiful Lake Karapiro, Cambridge, New Zealand. Our friends and families, our faithful and enthusiastic supporters, also came with us.
We participated in the week-long celebrations from April 10 to 16, 2023, culminating in three days of intense activity, demonstrations, workshops, and social events aimed at awareness and dialogue within the large international community of breast cancer paddlers.
Before the first race in New Zealand, Head Coach Peter Van de Castle gave a heartwarming speech. He encouraged us to remember how far we’ve come, both literally and metaphorically.
Italy (2018)
In 2018, we participated in the Commission’s dragon boat festival in Florence, Italy.
Over 3,000 breast cancer survivors converged on the city to paddle on the Arno River. In all, 129 teams from 17 countries came together to compete, commune, and enjoy a remarkable camaraderie that reached its arms around the globe.
From its inspiring opening ceremony to an emotional close, we enjoyed success on the water, made new friendships on land, and celebrated the most nurturing assets of this sport.
United States (2014)
In 2014, we participated in the Commission’s dragon boat festival in Sarasota, Florida.