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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:

  • communicate our message of hope that a full and active life is possible after a breast cancer diagnosis
  • help and support people newly diagnosed or living with this disease
  • encourage the pursuit of a cure
  • promote athleticism and healthy competition

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.

Achievements
 
    Achievements prior to morphing into the Dragon Busters:
    • Formation of a new Abreast In A Boat crew on the North Shore-Abreast In The Cove-2001
    • 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
    • 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
    • Supporting the development of other breast cancer teams and novice paddlers
    • 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;
    • Receiving local, national, and international media coverage, such as the North Shore News, Globe and Mail, Cape Town press, South Africa
    • Presentations to local organizations such as North Vancouver District Mayor/Council;  Parkgate Senior Centre; Community Women's groups
    • Winners of two Bronze medals at Alcan International Dragon Boat Festival in 2002/2003;  bronze medal-Fraser Valley Dragon Boat Festival in 2006
    • Recipients of the North Shore Sports Awards in 2003 for Comeback Team, and in 2006 for best Community Team
    • Winners of Alcan Sustainability Award in 2006 and other awards received for community/team spirit, achievement, and leadership as part of AIAB
    • 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
    • 4th place finish( out of seventy-three teams) in Australia Dragons Abreast/2007 world championship for breast cancer survivors
    • 2007-Launching of the new community-based North Shore Dragon Busters
2008
Inaugural Year as the DRAGON BUSTERS
  Gold medal- Harrison Regatta - Women's Division
  Community Team Award for Relay for Life
  Community events to raise breast cancer awareness:
    Canada Day
    Telus for the Cure
    Safeway Think Pink Days

 



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