CanSurvive Doubles Up

CanSurvive Doubles Up

The successful Wellington crew of breast cancer survivors – CanSurvive Dragon Boat Team - are doubling their positive pink power.

“When you are onto a good thing, why not double the fun.” says team chairperson Iona Elwood-Smith. That was an essential part of the recruitment drive by CanSurvive for the 2016 summer season, with the aim of launching another full boat of paddlers to compete in the Wellington dragon boat events.

Can2 - the second team of enthusiastic women, will launch into competition at this Satuday’s Harbour Fun Day, February 13; and again in the Wellington Dragonboating NZCT festival on March 5.

“We have had so much interest and support of our achievements that we knew there were women out there who wanted to try dragon boating in the encouraging, positive environment that CanSurvive provides. Recognising that many of them were not be able to commit to the demanding training and competition schedule of our current CanSurvive team, we created a flexible alternative.” explained Elwood-Smith.

The highly successful CanSurvive team made up of twenty-five breast cancer survivors, felt that it would be great to have another boat to paddle alongside as well as providing an easy introduction for beginner paddlers. These women, ranging in age from 43 to 73, from a variety of backgrounds and sporting abilities, training on Wellington harbour twice a week. Lead by Coach Jacob de Feijter, they have earned many medals in both National and International competition over the past 2 years, as well as the title of Wellington Sports Team of the Year for 2015.

Several ‘have-a-go’ days late last year, brought enough supporters, including new breast cancer survivors, onto the water to form a full second team.

Can2 is made up of women keen to paddle for fun and the social benefits of the sport, without hugely competitive expectations. It provides an opportunity for beginner paddlers, supporters and those more recently recovering from breast cancer treatment to begin the sport.

Because it’s all about working as a team of 20 paddlers supporting each other on the water, dragon boating is so beneficial for team togetherness, spirit and fitness. This translates to off-water camaraderie as well. With double the numbers on the water, the crews provide enormous support for each other, and now have training races together.

Breast cancer brought them together to focus on their health and wellbeing, and they have added the ‘X-factor’ of the powerful force of a positive attitude, as they support each other to thrive while they survive.

Can 2 is open to anyone, breast cancer survivor or not, and supporters of all ages are most welcome to join the fun, and try the sport as an option for fitness and team work.

Anyone keen to try paddling in a dragon boat with CanSurvive can contact Iona Elwood-Smith – cansurvivedragonboatteam@gmail.com

ENDS

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