About DAA

Who are we?

Founded over 20 years ago on the principles of participation, awareness and inclusiveness, Dragons Abreast Australia is a national charity with groups spread across the country and a membership of over 1200 individuals, the majority of whom are breast cancer survivors.

Once breast cancer surgery is over and treatment has finished, survivors are often left on their own, facing the sometimes daunting task of rebuilding their health, their fitness, and their lives. This is where Dragons Abreast Australia comes in.

Dragons Abreast provides an understanding network for survivors who participate in the sport of dragon boat paddling. It has been medically proven that paddling helps improve health after treatment. Not only are there physical benefits but dragon boat paddling is an activity that draws out the innate qualities of breast cancer survivors – hope, inspiration, excitement and determination to beat a dreaded disease faced by millions of women and men (yes, men get breast cancer too) around the world.

Being able to paddle and socialise in the company of others who have travelled the same path helps to restore the confidence, the spark and the sense of adventure needed to permit a full and active life after treatment.

Our hope is that one day we won’t need an organisation such as ours because there will be a cure for breast cancer. Until then we will continue to paddle and live life to the full, every day.

Join us today and share in the wonderful experience that is Dragons Abreast Australia.

How do you get involved?

There are many Dragon Abreast groups around the country so to find one near you click here. Our groups offer ‘come and try’ days where you can experience the enjoyment of dragon boat paddling. You don’t need prior experience as you will be given direction on how to paddle. You can be assured of a warm welcome. Sporting prowess is not one of our criteria for participation.

We always welcome new groups too and if you are interested in starting one in your area please contact us. We can provide all the details and during the first year you will be assigned a mentor to help you get started and succeed.

As one member says:

‘Through something bad, came something magical and amazing. These girls are my sisters, they are my family and it’s like coming home. There is no pressure, no judgement and we all for various reasons have different levels of fitness’

Philosophy

Promoting mental and physical wellbeing after a breast cancer diagnosis through connection, movement and living a new normal with amazing friends.

Purpose

Dragon Abreast Australia are a health promotion charity supporting Breast Cancer Survivors (BCS) through a supportive paddling community with shared experiences. To support BCS from survivor-ship to thriver-ship focusing on the whole person – physical and mental. To be a supportive community-based movement both on and off the water for all Breast Cancer Survivors.