Benefits of Dragonboating

In February 1996, Dr. Donald McKenzie organised a dragonboat team comprising breast cancer survivors. His aim was to prevent lymphedema (swelling of usually an arm or leg due to removal of or damage to lymph nodes during surgery). 

Dr. McKenzie’s studies had shown that, contrary to popular misconception, exercise was beneficial and dragonboating in particular ideal for his breast cancer patients whose active treatment had ended.

• Non-weight-bearing – there is lower risk of injury than weight-dependent activities such as running.
• Safe – with proper technique the paddler can recruit a reasonable amount of muscle mass and induce positive adaptations in the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems.
• Suited to a wide variety of ages and athletic abilities – training intensity can be varied simply by pulling harder and still provide each paddler with a training effect.
• Psychologically positive – a team sport that builds harmony and togetherness, dragonboating is an exhilarating experience that every paddler has enjoyed.

Abreast in a Boat (Dr. McKenzie’s team) entered the 1996 Vancouver Dragon Boat Festival in the Novice category. The women completed the course with technical skill, energy and emotion – mostly joy.*

Dragonboat races have now become an integral part of the worldwide movement to raise cancer awareness and to better manage post-treatment of cancer survivors. Dragonboat festivals have also proven to be effective fund-raisers for cancer support groups.

* Excerpted and adapted from “Abreast in a Boat – a race against breast cancer” by Donald C. McKenzie, MD PhD, first published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal on August 25, 1998.

Dr. Donald C. McKenzie is currently Director of the Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia.

Photo credits : Abreast in a Boat