DRAGON BOATING

Original Abreast In A Boat Team with Dr. Don McKenzie

Dr. Don McKenzie, a sports medicine physician at the University of British Columbia, launched Abreast In A Boat in 1995 to test the myth that repetitive upper-body exercise in women treated for breast cancer encourages lymphedema. Dr. McKenzie believed that by following a special exercise and training program, women could avoid lymphedema and enjoy active, full lives. As they followed his program, they were carefully monitored by a sports medicine physician, a physiotherapist and a nurse. Dr McKenzie's theory was proven correct. No new cases of lymphedema occurred and none of the existing cases became worse. From a medical study involving one boat of 25 women in 1996, the organization has now grown to include five boats based in Vancouver and has inspired many other teams to form.

BC Dragon Boat Groups

• Abreast in a Boat (Vancouver - 1995)  
• Island Breaststrokers (Victoria - 1996)                                                                
• Abreast of Life CVI (Central Vancouver Island - 1999)                                   
  
• Angels Abreast (Ladysmith/Nanaimo, Vancouver Island - 2001)                                                                                                           
• Bustn' Loose  (Kelowna - 1999)                                                 
• North Shore Dragon Busters (North Vancouver - 2001)                                 
• Friends Abreast (Shuswap - 2002)                                            
  
• Hope Afloat - Canada (Comox - 2002)