They came from Canada; Australia; England; Italy; South Africa; and the United States.  And they came clad in PINK.  It was the International Breast Cancer Paddler's Commission (IBCPC) third International Dragon Boat Festival.  On June 12, 2010 the shores of Little Lake, in Peterborough Ontario were covered by over 2,000 Breast Cancer Survivors (BCS), representing 74 dragon boat teams.  Among the teams representing the United States was Tampa's own Pink Dragon Ladies.

This international event is a participatory event that emphasizes the celebration of survivorship among Breast Cancer Survivors.  And although this is a participatory event, and trophies were not awarded, it's just not dragon boat racing without some healthy competion.  This two-day racing event consisted of each team racing a 500m race twice on Saturday in cold and rainy conditions (and not just by Florida standards), to be seeded for the semifinals on Sunday. 

The Pink Dragon Ladies were seeded 11th of the 74 teams in the semifinals, racing against the top seeded team Knot A Breast.  With their best time of the weekend, 2:32:55, the Pink Dragon Ladies came in second in the semifinal heat, placing them 9th among the 74 teams in the finals.  In their final heat, after a restarted race due to a collision with an adjacent boat, the Pink Dragon Ladies ended their weekend-long celebration of survivorship as 10th among 74 teams representing six countries.  In addition, with a final

 race time of 2:36:02, the Pink Dragon Ladies were not only 10th, but also the second fastest team from the United States and the fastest team representing Florida!!!  

Link to Pink Dragon Ladies
Link to Article in Peterborough Examiner

New Youth Team Development

Millions of people each year participate around the world in Dragon Boats races. Florida has many annual races, but did you know the closest youth team resides in Philadelphia, PA?  With some of the best water in the country, and the ability to practice all year, the state of Florida does not have a single organized youth team. 

The new youth team, will practice one day per week on Saturday mornings at 10:30 AM behind the Marriott Waterside in downtown Tampa.  Between now and August of 2011 they will target 5 races in the region.  Races are typically held on Saturdays and require a full day commitment. 

If you are interested in working as a team toward one common goal, send David Nelson, coach an email or call for practice information.  Age requirements are 13 not to exceed 18 before January 1, 2011.

Interested in reading more about the sport, visit the website of the governing body for Dragon Boat Racing:   International Dragon Boat Federation at www.idbf.org.

Waivers will need to be signed by parents to participate in this sport.  Cost to participate is $65.00 per year and includes membership to the Tampa Bay Dragon Boat Club.  This cost covers the rental of the boats, lifejackets, and paddles.  Race entry fees will also apply, but vary by venue and fundraising efforts/donations.

Should you have any questions, do not hesitate to call:

 Coach David Nelson at 813-792-8201 or 

email:  davidnelson88@verizon.net

About Coach David:  Graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy and an avid dragon boater for 7 years, I have coached and trained corporate teams in Florida, Texas, Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina.  The steersperson is the most important person in the boat. It is important that both the steersperson and the crew understand this. While underway, the steersperson is in charge of the vessel out ranking all other personnel in the boat including the team captain. I have had the great pleasure of working with corporate teams to train, helm, and educate them on proper form and safety for dragon boat racing.  It has been a rewarding experience knowing that I am exposing individuals to the fastest growing team sport in the US and in the process assisting an event/festival that is raising funds for an excellent cause.  Cancer research, aquariums, summer camps for children, various ethnic outreach programs/festivals, and other organizations have benefited from dragon boat festivals and I am proud and honored to have been part of the event.