Cancer survivors and their supporters have been called to the oars - or paddles as they're known - as crew for a Wairarapa dragon boat competing in Wellington next year.
Masterton mayoress and breast cancer survivor Lindy Daniell said yesterday there are now a dozen crewmembers who have taken up the
challenge aboard the Wairarapa Cancer Society Dragon Boat although another six paddlers are still needed.
"We will be taking to the water in October on beautiful Henley Lake and there are still seats available," she said.
"If you have had any sort of cancer diagnosis why not take up the challenge and fight back."
Mrs Daniell has been part of the Wellington Cansurvive dragon boat team for the past five years and has "seen first hand the improvements in health, fitness and mindset of my fellow paddlers, some fresh out of treatments", she said.
"It is hugely empowering to take control of your health after treatments and to be part of a team and achieving goals together," she said.
"The breast cancer dragon boat movement has taken over the lives of thousands of women around the world and I would like to share that experience with all Wairarapa cancer survivors.
"We need to keep recruiting all the time and if we end up with two boats, all the better."
Mrs Daniell said the group has two dragon boats, courtesy of the New Zealand Dragon Boat Association, and renowned Masterton coach, Ivan Karaitiana.
"The confidence dragon boating imparts has enabled me to compete on the world stage, to complete an arduous dragon boat marathon and complete a triathalon.
Up till 1996 it was believed that strenuous exercise was bad for women who had undergone breast cancer treatment, she said.
"That changed when Canadian sports medicine doctor Professor Don McKenzie proved that lymphodoema is not aggravated [by extreme exercise and in fact it improves the condition."
Paddlers will first need to work on their upper body strength through gym work and other exercises like swimming and pool aerobics, she said.
For more information phone Lindy Daniell (06) 378-2174, email lindydaniell@gmail.com or contact Anna Cardno at Cancer Society Wairarapa phone (06) 378-8039
