Chestmates is the only Breast Cancer Survivor Dragon Boat team in the catchment serviced by the South Eastern Regional Cancer Centre.
They were started in 2002 and the activity runs as a program of Breast Cancer Action Kingston and South East Ontario (BCAK) To be a member of Chestmates, a paddler must have had breast cancer. Their members' ages have range from 20 to 80! Active paddler, Carol Brophy, tells us the aim of Chestmates
Each paddler must consult with their physician to ensure it is safe to paddle, in particular if someone has just completed their course of treatment. Because Dragon Boating is a physical sport, a good solid level of fitness is recommended which can be enhanced by engaging in the free fitness programs offered at BCAK.
This month (Aug), Chestmates will travel to France for the 2026 IBCPC (International Breast Cancer Paddlers' Commission) Dragon Boat Festival. Brophy says it's a major competition held every four years with plenty of paddlers.
Chestmates provides the coaching, and equipment. The team connection is amazing; they paddle to bring hope and awareness to others with the diagnosis of breast cancer. Brophy said stepping into a dragon boat was a lifesaver for her.
They paddle out of Collins Bay Marina, twice a week from 5:30-7 pm on Mondays and Thursdays from May to the end of September.
In 1996, Donald McKenzie, a sports medicine physician and exercise physiologist, initiated and developed a physical training program for the benefit of 24 breast cancer survivors. When women living with the disease began to challenge the notion that they should lead physically-restricted lives after surgery, Dr. McKenzie formed and coached the "Abreast in a Boat" Dragon Boat paddling team consisting entirely of women who have survived breast cancer. Thanks to his initiative, most provinces in Canada now have a breast cancer dragon boat team.
You can learn more at bcakingston.ca and hear our complete conversation with Brophy below.
Story by Brian Turner
