Breast Friends Paddling for Life

We are an enthusiastic group of breast cancer survivors and supporters who thrive on the positive outcome that being involved in a dragon boating team provides. As well as gaining support within our teams, we hope to show that there is a ​positive outcome from such a challenging journey.

Club Crew World Championships - Ravenna, Italy

In 2024, CanSurvive earned the prestigious honour of representing New Zealand in the breast cancer division for small boats (12-person) at the 14th IDBF Club Crew World Championships in Ravenna, Italy.

Their selection was testament to their hard work, dedication and spirit. These magnificent wahine toa trained rigorously with coach Ewen - night and day - to prepare themselves to compete at an international level and proudly represent their club, region and country. We couldn't be prouder of them.

The CCWC were held from 3-8 September 2024. During that time New Zealand teams won seven gold medals - and not one, not two, but three of them, yes THREE of them, were won by our very own CanSurvive. How good is that!
2000m - Wednesday 4 September
  • GOLD!!!! - Our powerhouse paddlers were crowned world champions after smashing the 2k with an impressive time of 10:46:40 - more than 3 seconds clear of their nearest rivals. What a start!
200m - Friday 6 September 
  • GOLD!!!! These wahine toa flew straight into the final by winning their heat in a time of 1:02.79. The final was a close run race but that didn't stop our paddlers clinching another win.​
500m - Monday 9 September 
  • GOLD!!!! After storming through their heat nearly 4 seconds faster than their nearest opponents, they were revved up and good to go for the final. Unfortunately, the weather had other ideas with storms wiping out the last few races of the day. But you can't keep a good team down and our Ravenna's crew's gold star performance in the heats was enough to secure them their third gold medal of the championships!  
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Our IDBF Club Crew World Champions with president of the International Breast Cancer Paddlers Commission Meri Gibson.

CanSurvive, Can2 & CanThrive


​"I joined for a bit of fun and found myself getting fit for the first time in forty years and being constantly inspired by my incredibly awesome teammates ” - Iona Elwood-Smith

Upcoming events


​In 2024, we were thrilled to be a finalist in the Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards 2024 for Wellington City, alongside some incredible local groups and organisations.
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The awards recognise the valuable contribution of volunteers to community groups and organisations in the region, and we couldn't be prouder to have been included in the Sport & Leisure category. Thanks to everyone involved for your support.

Fundraisers

Cooking Up Your Breast Life
As a group of wāhine toa we not only focus on paddling together with attitude, we also work hard to raise the money we need to keep our teams on the waters of Whanganui-a-Tara each season.
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We know that bringing a group of powerful, positive women together usually involves sharing nourishing kai. That's why we've decided to create this fundraising cookbook of our favourite foods, to share with you. Find out more and order your copy, here.

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Wellington Dragon Boat Teams of Breast Cancer Survivors and Supporters

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