MAYLANDS-based Amazons Perth Dragon Boat Club will send 23 paddlers and 18 supporters to Florence, Italy for its fourth International Breast Cancer Paddling Commission Participatory Dragon Boat festival in July.
The club, based at Maylands Sport and Recreation Club, comprises members who are breast cancer survivors and supporters.
The festival is held every four years in different locations and is targeted at breast cancer survivors who paddle post-operation.
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READ NOWLong-time member and travel co-ordinator Susan Troncone, who would be taking part in a flower ceremony that remembered those who have lost their lives to breast cancer, said the festival was a “memorable” event.
“It is not so much about the paddling but how paddling has brought us all together,” she said.
“It is about breast cancer awareness and celebrating life and healthy lifestyles.”
President Angela Hanslip said the Amazons had just finished their regatta season and competed in the local competition over summer.
“Since the end of the season there has been a focus on getting the Amazons travelling to Florence ready for the 500m races,” she said.
Ms Hanslip said the club, which was founded in 2000, was part of the Breast Cancer Network Australia.
“The club currently has 45 members and is largely made up of breast cancer survivors as well as supporters,” she said.
“Amazons Perth is committed to raising awareness of breast cancer whilst encouraging women to regain an active, adventurous life despite the physical limitation imposed by breast cancer surgery.
“Dragon boat racing is a remarkable diversion from the psychological impact of breast cancer whilst offering a social atmosphere for the team to train.”
She said the team was looking forward to paddling with more than 3000 breast cancer survivor paddlers and supporters in Florence.
The team will meet in Florence on July 4, ahead of the festival which will be held from July 6-8.
For more information, visit http://www.amazonsperth.com.au/ or http://www.florencebcs2018.org/the-event/.
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