Janice – DA Central Coast Posted on: 15 August 2025

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 St. Leonards, NSW (where I received most of my treatments).

A member from Dragons Abreast Sydney addressed one of the group sessions to tell us the advantages of dragon boating for recovery. At the time my Oncologist was not ready to allow me to try any strong upper body exercises. However, the moment she gave me a health clearance I went to a ‘Come n Try’ session at Bank Street, Sydney and have been hooked ever since.

The ladies from Dragons Abreast Sydney welcomed me and dragon boating became a major factor in my recovery in more ways than I can mention. I now have many wonderful friends I would not have otherwise met. I have also improved my health physically and mentally.

Dragon Boat paddling has taken me to countries and cities around the world I may never have visited, as well as all around Australia.

Almost 15 years later I am still paddling regularly. In 2024 I completed the Dragon Boats NSW Level 1 Coaching course and became a coach. Coaching allows me to give back to dragon boating by assisting new paddlers into the sport, at the same time caring for them with their own personal recoveries and giving them the momentum to move forward in life after cancer.

To connect, to move, to live, to love, to share a life in a boat with like minded people.

Another member shares “Connecting with the sport of dragon boating and the people helped me regain confidence to push myself physically. Getting to know Dragons Abreast Central Coast members and hear about how they’re all getting on with their lives in their own way is truly inspirational. Dragon boating has given me friendship, support, better health, and a different more positive attitude to life. Now I see that my cancer diagnosis is only a part of my story, not the end of my story”.