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WHO WE ARE:
North Shore Dragon Busters is a team of dragon boat paddlers who have one thing in common:
we have all battled breast cancer.
We are dedicated to the following goals:
We live our message of hope each time we get into a dragon boat. It is our belief that the promotion of exercise, emotional support, and team work are all part of our fight against breast cancer. We are determined to raise awareness of this disease and paddle for a cure both on and off the water.
North Shore Dragon Busters (NSDB) was formerly known as Abreast In The Cove. This team began in 2001 as part of the Abreast In A Boat (AIAB) organization. AIAB started in 1996 as a research project led by Dr. Don McKenzie from UBC. Dr. McKenzie set out to prove that women who were treated for breast cancer could live a full and athletic lifestyle after treatment, and that there would be no adverse results from taking part in a sport that focused on use of the upper body. He chose dragon boating as the test sport, and the results of his work are still being quoted in medical fields. The resounding success of the project provided the impetus for the creation of the first Abreast In A Boat team. The improved fitness, camaraderie, encouragement, and an overall improved sense of well-being that comes from being a member of a dragon boat team have led to its popularity and growth.
Since that time, six crews of AIAB developed in the Lower Mainland. The inspiration and assistance of the AIAB breast cancer survivor dragon boat crews has led to the formation of more than 100 teams worldwide from10 nations. Abreast In The Cove (and other AIAB crews) have successfully participated in local, provincial, national, and international regattas, receiving numerous medals and awards.
In 2005, Abreast In The Cove competed in the first World Championship Dragon Boat Regatta for Breast Cancer Survivors only-Ten Years Abreast - which was held in Vancouver. Through the dedication and commitment of our coaches, managers, team members, and supporters Abreast In The Cove won a silver medal, ranking second out of sixty-three teams. Most recently, we placed 4th in the world at another celebration Abreast In Australia 2007 - held in Queensland, Australia. This exciting event brought together over seventy breast cancer dragon boat teams from seven different nations. There were over two thousand participants at each of these historic world events. Together we recognized and celebrated our race against breast cancer through the challenge of dragon boating. |
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Achievements |
2001
to
2007 |
Achievements prior to morphing into the Dragon Busters:
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Formation of a new Abreast In A Boat crew on the North Shore-Abreast In The Cove-2001
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Raising awareness of breast cancer as a major health issue for women at local, national, and international Dragon Boat regattas, festivals, and world championships, reaching as far as Australia, South Africa, Singapore, China, Poland, New Zealand, Italy, USA
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Acting as role models for survivors of breast cancer to demonstrate the importance of exercise post-treatment, and to offer hope that we can still lead full and active lives
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Supporting the development of other breast cancer teams and novice paddlers
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Involvement in fund-raising activities including North Shore Relay For Life, CIBC Run for the Cure, Weekend to End Breast Cancer, Scotia Bank Run, as participants, volunteers, and community award winners; also donations for international humanitarian aid by individual team members;
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Receiving local, national, and international media coverage, such as the North Shore News, Globe and Mail, Cape Town press, South Africa
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Presentations to local organizations such as North Vancouver District Mayor/Council; Parkgate Senior Centre; Community Women's groups
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Winners of two Bronze medals at Alcan International Dragon Boat Festival in 2002/2003; bronze medal-Fraser Valley Dragon Boat Festival in 2006
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Recipients of the North Shore Sports Awards in 2003 for Comeback Team, and in 2006 for best Community Team
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Winners of Alcan Sustainability Award in 2006 and other awards received for community/team spirit, achievement, and leadership as part of AIAB
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Winners of three silver medals at Alcan International Dragon Boat Festival in 2004/2006/2007, and silver medal-Ten Years Abreast Celebration of AIAB in 2005
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4th place finish( out of seventy-three teams) in Australia Dragons Abreast/2007 world championship for breast cancer survivors
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2007-Launching of the new community-based North Shore Dragon Busters
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2008 |
Inaugural Year as the DRAGON BUSTERS |
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| Community events to raise breast cancer awareness: |
- Griffins Fight Night - May 24
- Griffins Boxing Club once again presented its Annual Boxing Gala and Dinner Show.
Proceeds from the evening were in support of The Dragon Busters breast cancer survivors dragon boat team.
The event was held in the J.P. Fell Armoury at 1513 Forbes Avenue in North Vancouver.
- Relay for Life - June
Awarded the Community Team Award.
- A North Shore Community Fund-Raising Event
held at Mahon Park, North Vancouver.
The Dragon Busters this year won the Community Team Award in helping to raise
money for Breast Cancer Research.
- Canada Day - July 1st
- Ice Cream Sales Fundraiser, Ambleside Beach Park
- Safeway Think Pink Days
- September 20
- Many Thanks to the 13 volunteers who went to the North Shore Safeway Stores for their "Think Pink Days".
They all helped to raise breast cancer prevention awareness and accept donations for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
Safeway staff used lots of creative ways to raise funds from selling cupcakes and hot chocolate, used books, 50/50 draws, hot dog sales,etc.
The Dragonbusters were able to increase their visibility and made another great connection with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
- Telus Tour for the Cure - November
- The Telus Tour for the Cure campaigns held at Park Royal Shopping Centre and Capilano Mall were supported by the North Shore Dragon Busters and given a boost by the presence of our team colors
- The Dundarave Festival of Lights - December 7
- The Dundarave Festival of Lights took place next to the Beach House Restaurant on Dec. 7 from 2 to 9 p.m. at Dundarave Beach.
With the support of the Dundarave Business Association, this year the Festival was driven by the community for families, sustainable and caring.
All donations raised from tree sponsorships this year went to the
North Shore Emergency Shelter. Almost $22,000 was raised for this worthy cause.
West Vancouver Mayor, Pam Goldsmith-Jones was on hand to hear Sue McMinn on behalf of the "Busters" explain the Dragon Busters' purpose and goals to the crowd at Dundarave Beach.
Of course in the competition for the best-decorated Christmas Tree, the
Cove Dragon Busters placed FIRST!
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| Participation - Dragonboat Regattas |
- Dash for Charity - April 26
- False Creek Regatta - May 3
- Womens' Regatta, False Creek, Vancouver - May 24
- Harrison Regatta - July
Won the
Women's Division Gold medal
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2009 |
| Participation - Dragonboat Regattas |
- The 200m Dash (formerly known as the Dash for Charity) - April 25.
- New for the 2009 Dash was a paddlers’ party, vendors, event DRYfit tech shirts for participants, and various awards including a team spirit award, medals and cash prizes.
The Deep Cove 200m Dash once again supported the BC Children's Hospital's Adolescent Psychiatric Unit. The unit is in need of excercise equipment and hopes to raise funds from this event to purchase a stationary bike and elliptical machine.
- Women's Regatta - False Creek, May 23
- " A regatta designed with women in mind. It's an opportunity to put it all on the line, race hard, have fun and support other women's teams in their quest for speed, fitness and power! Teams have the opportunity to race other women's teams from all over the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, Seattle, Portland and more. "
- Relay for Life - June 13
- Inspirational 12-hour event at
Mahon Park, North Vancouver to raise funds for Cancer Research.
- Outlook Newspaper Article - June 18, "Active in the Park"
- Getting the message out to all women about Breast Cancer and the importance of upper-body exercise; how it can help them not just recover from battling breast cancer, but also get fit for racing season.
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