Aoraki Dragon Boat
Association (Inc)
Christchurch, NZ

Breast cancer crusaders triumph at Australian champs

A group of Christchurch breast cancer battlers have done it again, this time winning silver in the inaugural Dragons Abreast Australian regatta in Sydney. New Zealand dragon boating gold medallist, Meri Pauwels-Gibson and her team have just returned from across the Tasman, where they competed against 52 other dragon boats and contributed to the more than $100,000 raised for breast cancer research at the event.

Dragon boating is becoming a big deal worldwide – it is recognised by experts as the pre-eminent pursuit for women recovering from breast cancer treatments. Meri is going to make sure it becomes a big deal in New Zealand too, by holding a regatta in Christchurch next year, the home of dragon boating.

“I’m confident that New Zealand will be enthusiastic and get in behind this so we can put on a great national event here in Christchurch – and show those Aussies how we do it! It will be a way for people to get out and have fun while doing something good at the same time,” says Meri.

With Meri’s tenacity and infectious enthusiasm, she with her troop are working hard to encourage people to get involved in the burgeoning sport. In particular, she wants to spread the message that breast cancer survivors can reap tremendous benefits from participating.

“There isn’t enough information out there that this is a particularly good thing for women recovering from breast cancer surgery – the upper body exercises are incredibly good for recovery, people think you shouldn’t do anything, but it’s really important to keep active,” says Meri.
 
Surgeon and founder of the Breast Cancer Research Trust, Mr John Harman is in agreement.

“Exercise and the associated weight loss is an incredibly important part of the recovery process and reduces the risk of cancer returning by between 10 and 20 percent. Dragon Boating is an excellent exercise for breast cancer survivors”.

The regatta will be open to anyone who wants to support the fight against breast cancer. To find out more and how to get involved click here, or here to see what events are on. Click here for background info.

See photo gallery.