Dragon boating is an awesome way to get fit and connect with others after breast cancer. Rebecca Ronald from BCAC member group Busting with Life filed this report about the annual regatta.
Wow - what a special weekend that was.
I just arrived home after three days spent with an incredible group of women - breast cancer survivors brought together by a shared passion for dragon boating.
The occasion was our annual national championship regatta, held at Lake Karapiro near Cambridge - the pinnacle of our season. It’s a wonderfully chaotic blend of racing and reconnecting: chatting between heats, putting on our dance moves during warm-ups, searching for misplaced gloves, reapplying sunscreen, cheering from the sidelines, celebrating wins, sometimes shedding a few tears, and always sharing plenty of laughter with people from all walks of life.
Teams travelled from across Aotearoa, including seven breast cancer survivor (BCS) crews. While competition on the water is fierce, off the water there’s a deep sense of camaraderie - shaped by shared experience and a commitment to lifting each other up.
A highlight of the weekend was the BCS breakfast, where we gathered simply to connect. A representative from each team shared a short speech about their journey - how they came to the sport and what it means to them. These stories were powerful, moving, and uplifting - truly the icing on the cake of an already memorable weekend.
A heartfelt thank you to Kaha Sisters, Pink Dragons, Boobops, Abreast of Life, CanSurvive, Treasure Chests, and my own treasured Busting with Life teammates.
While our season has now come to an end, we’re always keen to welcome new paddlers. If you have, or have had, breast cancer and would like to give dragon boating a go, we’d love to hear from you at infobwl96@gmail.com. We’re based in Auckland, but if you live elsewhere, we can help connect you with a team in your area. We’ll be back on the water in spring. 💗
(Images courtesy of Dave Hart Photography and the New Zealand Dragon Boat Association.)
6 April 2026
