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 1996 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.

• Abreast in a Boat (Vancouver - 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)