Our Stories

Desley’s relationship with dragon boating started in 2008, following her diagnosis of breast cancer the previous year aged 42. With no family history and not…

Finding Strength, Spirit, and a Splash of Pink on the Water I still remember the day I noticed a small indentation in my breast —…

Passionate. Positive. Purpose-driven. Meet Sharon, one of the dedicated Board Directors at Dragons Abreast Australia. A long-time paddler, sweep, and accredited coach, Sharon brings energy,…

In February 2020, I landed my dream midwifery job in Sydney. I packed up my life and said goodbye to family and friends in Bendigo…

Being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012 turned my world upside down, but discovering Dragons Abreast in 2016 gave me a whole new life. When…

In 2020 I had just received a voluntary redundancy from my employer, and the future was looking bright. Semi-retirement, a new caravan, volunteering for charity,…

Del’s journey from a passionate educator to an accomplished dragon boat sweep is a testament to the power of resilience, reinvention, and community. Her life…

“I’ve found my tribe and they happen to be dragons”. I said to my husband David on coming home from the Saturday DA Come and…

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010, having a mastectomy, then chemotherapy & radiation treatment. I started dragon boating before I had finished treatment,…

I was 68 when diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011. During my recovery time I attended a program run through Royal North Shore Hospital in…

When Michelle first heard a work friend talk about Dragon Boat paddling, she never imagined it would lead to a transformative chapter in her life….

I was diagnosed in 2005 and after completing treatment, I heard our current President and founder, Cheryl Machen, speak about Dragons Abreast at a function….

I started my Dragon Boat journey in 2007. While having treatment for Breast Cancer I watched the local Dragon Boats having fun out on the…

The definition of “tribe” that I choose is, a large family or other group that someone belongs to, and this is how I feel about the tribe I have joined. My breast cancer…

I am a long time BC survivor, first 1992 at age 39, treatment was surgery. Second time was 1997 again surgery and then in 2011…

Diagnosed with Stage 3 BC in 2013 (3 surgeries, 6 sessions of chemo, 6 weeks of daily radiation). Developed MRSA (Golden Staff) through an infected…

Joining Dragons Abreast gave me a team – it’s been a lot of years since I was involved in a team sport, and nothing epitomises…

A Girl and Her E Bike Follow the adventures of our Dragons Abreast Wollumbin Members, Linda Cash, Megan Main and Jeanette Mouatt as they show…

Janelle (known within the DAA and the Brisbane club as ‘JP’), was first diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2002.  ‘What a wet fish in the…

Just say yes! Following my first breast cancer diagnosis in 2013, Lisi Bromley, a workmate, talked to me about dragon boating. It sounded great, but,…

Journey to self-re-discovery After a year of battling with cancer, I felt the need to do something for myself, something to help me focus on…

Paddling out of my comfort zone I joined Dragons Abreast Canberra late 2019 after attending a come and try session in October after seeing a…