A community of survivors

The Los Angeles Pink Dragons (LA Pinks) are California’s first breast cancer survivor dragon boat racing team. The team has been dedicated to improving fitness and quality of life for breast cancer survivors since 2003. Through dragon boat racing, we demonstrate that women with breast cancer can lead active lives that are full of possibilities. By taking part in this challenging, yet gratifying sport, we each strive to achieve our personal best in hopes of empowering and inspiring others who have been through this journey.
Breast cancer brought us together as a community of sisters who have shared a life-changing experience, and the dragon boat is our vessel to celebrate our survivorship and strength. We come together to paddle and to race, but also for the friendship, support, and camaraderie we share with our teammates.

WHAT IS DRAGON BOAT?

Each boat holds 20 paddlers, a “caller/drummer” and a steersperson. We paddle in a forward facing, seated position (unlike rowers who face backward), and work to paddle with impeccable timing and power using our entire body, not just arms. This movement offers well rounded fitness, without requiring super arm strength. The Los Angeles Pink Dragons are one of the dragon boat teams based in Long Beach, the only team with only breast cancer survivors.

THE STORY BEHIND BREAST CANCER AND DRAGON BOATING

Most women don’t hear of the sport of dragon boating until they’re diagnosed with breast cancer.  The breast cancer dragon boat connection began in 1996, when Dr. Don McKenzie, a professor of sports medicine at the University of British Columbia, challenged the prevailing notion that rigorous upper body exercise should be avoided for fear of lymphedema. He proved his theory by forming a dragon boat crew comprised of 22 breast cancer survivors. Not only did the women not develop the lymphedema side effect, but they also became more fit, built camaraderie, and emerged healthier and happier. All 22 women refused to stop paddling after the research concluded. Breast cancer survivor teams began popping up across the country and now throughout the world. 

Today there are over 200 dragon boat teams worldwide, comprised of all breast cancer survivors, and the LA Pinks are going to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their sport in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Festival and Races

We compete against like teams (other BCS teams), as well as All Cancer & women’s teams. The community understands our situation and it is clear to all that any BCS team holds a special place in the hearts of their local paddling community. We’re everybody’s mother, sister, or friend. And one of our favorite experiences was hearing the crowd cheering from shore as we paddled out for a race, and among the cheers came “go Grandma!” loud and clear from a teammate’s granddaughter. Yes, many BCS teams skew older than other teams because that is the nature of our disease. However, we are starting to see younger and younger teammates. Our current age range is about 30-80 years old, with 50-70 being about average. And we can’t tell you how excited we currently are to have one pregnant Pink! This is definitely a community worth joining!