2018/19 Season
National Dragon Boat Championships 2019
5-6 April 2019, Lake Karapiro
A wonderfully organised regatta with beautiful weather. A slight tailwind helped with our quickest times ever for the 200m races. CanSurvive BCS Division
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Regional Dragon Boat Championships 2019
23 March 2019, Lake Hood, Ashburton
This was a challenging regatta for us, competing in the Womens Open section with only 19 paddlers. Abreast of Life, the other breast cancer survivor team gave us a great challenge and close competition.
This was a challenging regatta for us, competing in the Womens Open section with only 19 paddlers. Abreast of Life, the other breast cancer survivor team gave us a great challenge and close competition.
- 500m 20-man, 3rd, 2.33.11
- 200m 20-man, 4th, 1.01.66 (3/100th of a second behind Abreast of Life)
- 2km, 5th, 11.07.38 (Abreast of Life came 3rd with a stunning time of 10.53.94)
NZCT Wellington Dragon Boat Festival 2019
10 March 2019
We love racing in our home town - although on this day we met unusually flat water because of the light southerly. Between the rain and the sea - we got soaked! Both CanSurvive and Can2 competed in the open womens section - a challenge for both teams. We managed to squeak 3rd place. The results in the 300m final:
1.25.14 Coomera Dragons
1.27.18 VDC Heat
1.29.28 CanSurvive
1.31.06 Rainbow Region
1.31.14 Can2
Wellington Dragon Boat Festival - Facebook
We love racing in our home town - although on this day we met unusually flat water because of the light southerly. Between the rain and the sea - we got soaked! Both CanSurvive and Can2 competed in the open womens section - a challenge for both teams. We managed to squeak 3rd place. The results in the 300m final:
1.25.14 Coomera Dragons
1.27.18 VDC Heat
1.29.28 CanSurvive
1.31.06 Rainbow Region
1.31.14 Can2
Wellington Dragon Boat Festival - Facebook
2017/18 Season
National Dragon Boat Championships 2018
1st, 2nd and 3rd place
Held at Lake Hood, Ashburton on 23 and 24 March - it was cold (but calm)! The racing was tight in the Breast Cancer Survivors (BCS) division with the medals spread across the teams. We won the coveted 500m final in a very tight finish. Our 2K race was a fast time (10.59), but not quite fast enough and we placed 2nd. For the small boat (10-man) races, we split CanSurvive into 2 teams - 'Cantankerous' and 'Loose Cannons'.
Results: 200m - 2nd in a time of 59.48, with 1st place going to Abreast of Life (58.94), both teams followed by Busting with Life (59.68) and Boobops (1.00.66). 500m - 1st in a time of 2.27.42, Abreast of Life 2.27.99, Busting 2.28.71, Boobops 2.30.73. 2K - 2nd in a time of 10.59, with 1st place going to Abreast of Life (10.54), with Boobops 3rd (11.18) followed by Busting with Life. Small boats - 10 man: Loose Cannons came 2nd in the 500m and 3rd in the 200m races |
Regional Dragon Boat Championships 2018
1st place
For the second year in a row, CanSurvive won gold in all 3 events - 200m (1.04.10), 500m (2.33), and 2K (11.29) - in the Breast Cancer Suvivors division. Bay of Plenty team Boobops were hard on our heels in the 200m and 500m races - particularly in the 200m with their time of 1.04.18. We performed particularly well in the 2K with our time being faster than any of the other women's teams.
Official results
Official results
NZCT Wellington Dragon Boat Festival 2018
2nd place Womens Open
This year's Wellington Dragon Boat Festival, held on 10 March 2018, was a series of firsts:
Official results
- new event owners holding their first Wellington Dragon Boat Festival
- the first time in recent years that CanSurvive competed in open womens
- the marquees and food stalls set up in a 'village' arrangement - including showers on site and flush toilets!
Official results
Central Region regatta 2017
The Central Region regatta was held on 2 December at Lake Henley, Masterton. The regatta gave a relaxed and informal start to the 2017/18 season for both CanSurvive and Can2. It was a hot day (over 30 degrees in the shade) and the warm conditions leading up to the event proved ideal for the lake weed, which gave an extra dimension to paddling!
Thanks once again to Central Region Dragon Boat Association for their hospitality and organisation of this event.
Thanks once again to Central Region Dragon Boat Association for their hospitality and organisation of this event.
2016/17 Season
World Masters 2017

This took place at Lake Pupuke, Auckland, 29 & 30 April as part of the Canoe events. About half of the CanSurvive team formed a composite team with Cancer Society Wairarapa members. We competed in the Womens 50+ section under the name of Crazy Greys. For the 12-man races, Jude from the Bay Dragons club kindly acted as sweep for us.
Day 1 was torrential ran and a lot of mud! Day 2 was a bit better but came with wind to the extent that unfortunately the finals of the 200m 12-man boat races were cancelled and instead the averages of the heats were used for the results. We came 4th in that event.
Official results
Day 1 was torrential ran and a lot of mud! Day 2 was a bit better but came with wind to the extent that unfortunately the finals of the 200m 12-man boat races were cancelled and instead the averages of the heats were used for the results. We came 4th in that event.
Official results
NZ Dragon Boat National Championships 2017
2nd and 3rd place
It was exciting to return to Lake Karapiro after many years away. Such a lovely venue with the bonus of pontoon starts.
We got a series of 2nds and 3rds with South Island team Abreast of Life impressively scooping the pool and winning all the race categories.
The competition was so close in the 200m race that there was a tie for 2nd place - CanSurvive and Boobops.
It was encouraging to see a big increase in the number of 10-man boats with there being over 40 teams altogether entering the 500m small boat category. For the first time we entered two 10-man boats - splitting the team to create Can Do and Can So.
We enjoyed our 2K race so much we kept on going ...!
Results:
200m - tie for 2nd with Boobops in a time of 57.41, with Abreast of Life coming first in 59.03
200m 10-man Can So - 3rd in a time of 1.3.93, with Abreast of Life coming first in 1.2.40, Boobops Savvy 1.3.30, followed by Busting with Life and Can Do
500m - 2nd in a time of 2.22.46 with Abreast of Life coming first in 2.21.57, and Boobops 3rd (2.24.19)
500m 10-man Can So - 3rd place in a time of 2.41.36 with Abreast of Life coming first in 2.36.71, followed by Boobops Savvy (2.41.04)
2K - 2nd in a time of 11.23
Official results
We got a series of 2nds and 3rds with South Island team Abreast of Life impressively scooping the pool and winning all the race categories.
The competition was so close in the 200m race that there was a tie for 2nd place - CanSurvive and Boobops.
It was encouraging to see a big increase in the number of 10-man boats with there being over 40 teams altogether entering the 500m small boat category. For the first time we entered two 10-man boats - splitting the team to create Can Do and Can So.
We enjoyed our 2K race so much we kept on going ...!
Results:
200m - tie for 2nd with Boobops in a time of 57.41, with Abreast of Life coming first in 59.03
200m 10-man Can So - 3rd in a time of 1.3.93, with Abreast of Life coming first in 1.2.40, Boobops Savvy 1.3.30, followed by Busting with Life and Can Do
500m - 2nd in a time of 2.22.46 with Abreast of Life coming first in 2.21.57, and Boobops 3rd (2.24.19)
500m 10-man Can So - 3rd place in a time of 2.41.36 with Abreast of Life coming first in 2.36.71, followed by Boobops Savvy (2.41.04)
2K - 2nd in a time of 11.23
Official results
Regional Dragon Boat Championships 2017
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NZCT Wellington Dragon Boat Festival 2017
1st place
11 March 2017. In a light southery with continual drizzle, we just got wetter and wetter! But the conditions didn't dampen spirits. Race 20 (a heat) was made the NZ vs Australia challenge as it was the race with the most Australian entries.
CanSurvive Results:
Australia vs New Zealand challenge - 1st with a time of 1:30.19, followed by Simply the Breast (NZ BCS) 1:37.30, Swaggies Salties (NZ) 1:37.48, Aussie River - Womans 1:38.36, and Cancer Society Wairarapa 1:38.51.
BCS Grand Final = 1st with a time of 1:30.97, followed by Dragons Abreast 1:38.24, Aussie River - Womans 1:38.38, and Simply the Breast 1:40.61
Can2 Results:
Womens Grand Final = 4th with a time of 1:39.77
Official results
Central Region regatta
This regatta, held at Lake Henley, Masterton, marked 2 firsts - the first regatta held by the newly formed Central Region Dragon Boat Association and the first regatta of the 2016/17 season. Both CanSurvive and Can2 raced.
It was a really full-on day with about 12 races! We came 1st in Premier Womens division in the 2K with a time of 11.34. We also came 2nd in the 500m final which was a qualifying event for Nationals.
Official results
It was a really full-on day with about 12 races! We came 1st in Premier Womens division in the 2K with a time of 11.34. We also came 2nd in the 500m final which was a qualifying event for Nationals.
Official results
2015/16 Season
NZ Dragon Boat National Championships 2016
2nd and 3rd place
Spurred on by the success in our previous weekend, we managed to improve on our record times in the 500m and 2000m.
In a heartbreakingly close photo finish, and by the 'dragon's head' we were so nearly 1st in the 500m. However both CanSurvive and Abreast of Life cracked the 2.23 barrier in that final, making them the fastest ever in the Breast Cancer Surviver (BCS) division for 500m. This was also the first time we competed in 'small boat' races (10 paddlers in a standard boat). Results:
200m: 2nd with a time of 59.08, followed by Abreast of Life (59.37) and Busting with Life (1.06.78). 1st place went to Boobops (59.04). 500m: 2nd place with a time of 2.22.63. 1st place went to Abreast of Life (2.22.32). Boobops came 3rd (2.23.49), Busting with Life 4th (2.38.68). 2000m: 3rd with a time of 11.06.08, followed by Busting with Life (12.10.50). 1st place went to Abreast of Life (10.54.25) with Boobops in 2nd place (11.04.84). 200m 10-man: 2nd place 500m 10-man: 2nd with a time of 2.41.94, followed by Boobops (2.42.96), Busting with Life (2.48.07) and Simply the Breast (3.01.35). 1st place went to Abreast of Life (2.36.67). |
Regional Dragon Boat Championships 2016
1st and 2nd place
We achieved a solid win in the 500m, and came 2nd in the other 2 races, achieving a best ever time for our team in all 3 distances (2000m, 500m, and 200m - commonly called the 'Splash 'n Dash').
The conditions were sunny but with a chilly light-to-moderate tailwind. Results: 200m: 2nd with a time of 58.85. 1st place went to Abreast of Life (58.10), with Simply the Breast 3rd (1.00.97). 500m: 1st with a time of 2.26.48, followed by Abreast of Life (2.27.18) and Simply the Breast (2.39.76). 2000m: 2nd with a time of 11.10.84. 1st place went to Abreast of Life. |
NZCT Wellington Dragon Boat Festival 2016
1st place

Huge turnout of 63 crews from far and wide, including Australia.In substantial swells, which had the incredibly skilled rescue team hauling back more than a dozen sunken boats, the CanSurvive and Can 2 teams raced like champions. Four straight wins and a GOLD medal in the BCS final for Wellington's Team of the Year - Cansurvive. Their brand new sister team Can2 improved on every time, stayed afloat and came in a creditable 4th in the FINAL. Thanks for a wonderful and exciting regatta @ Wellington Dragonboating. Pink and PROUD!
CanSurvive achieved a solid win in a time of 1.28.38 against Aussie River Dragons and 5 Abreast. Can2 came 4th with a time of 1:32.71, beating Taranaki Dragons. The first time we have won in our home town!
In a dramatic day with many boats swamped by waves and capsizing, crew numbers were reduced to 18 paddlers. With a northerly of 25 knots, gusting at times to 35 knots, paddling in Wellington harbour was a novel experience for the Australian teams, many of whom were used to calm lakes.
Full race results (PDF) - Wellington Dragon Boat Festival
CanSurvive achieved a solid win in a time of 1.28.38 against Aussie River Dragons and 5 Abreast. Can2 came 4th with a time of 1:32.71, beating Taranaki Dragons. The first time we have won in our home town!
In a dramatic day with many boats swamped by waves and capsizing, crew numbers were reduced to 18 paddlers. With a northerly of 25 knots, gusting at times to 35 knots, paddling in Wellington harbour was a novel experience for the Australian teams, many of whom were used to calm lakes.
Full race results (PDF) - Wellington Dragon Boat Festival
2014/15 Season
NZ Dragon Boat National Championships 2015
2nd and 3rd place
We came 2nd in the 200m, and 3rd in the 500m and 2km races in these national championships held on Lake Pupuke on 28 & 29 March 2015.
For the first time in recent years, the Abreast of Life team (Christchurch) rejoined the Breast Cancer Survivor (BCS) division - with great success.The 500m final was held in the morning of the day 1 of competition and was won by Abreast of Life, with Boobops (Tauranga) 2nd, and CanSurvive 3rd. Winning the 500m race, Abreast of Life were named as the 2015 BCS National Champions.
In a last minute change, the 2km race was brought forward to day 1 to avoid the stronger winds predicted for later in day 2. Abreast of Life came 1st, Boobops 2nd, with CanSurvive coming 2 seconds behind and placing 3rd.
The 200m race on day 2 was hotly contested with 3 crews in a photo finish - Boobops 1st, CanSurvive 2nd, followed closely by Abreast of Life.
Auckland Dragon Boat Association hosted the event. Full results will be made available on the Auckland Dragon Boat Association website.
For the first time in recent years, the Abreast of Life team (Christchurch) rejoined the Breast Cancer Survivor (BCS) division - with great success.The 500m final was held in the morning of the day 1 of competition and was won by Abreast of Life, with Boobops (Tauranga) 2nd, and CanSurvive 3rd. Winning the 500m race, Abreast of Life were named as the 2015 BCS National Champions.
In a last minute change, the 2km race was brought forward to day 1 to avoid the stronger winds predicted for later in day 2. Abreast of Life came 1st, Boobops 2nd, with CanSurvive coming 2 seconds behind and placing 3rd.
The 200m race on day 2 was hotly contested with 3 crews in a photo finish - Boobops 1st, CanSurvive 2nd, followed closely by Abreast of Life.
Auckland Dragon Boat Association hosted the event. Full results will be made available on the Auckland Dragon Boat Association website.
Regional Dragon Boat Championships 2015
1st and 2nd place
We came first in the 200m final, and second in the 500m final in the Auckland Regional Dragon Boat Championships on Saturday 21 March 2015.
The championships were held on Lake Pupuke, Killarney Park, Takapuna. The day started with cloud and drizzle but cheered up in the afternoon. The northwesterly wind across the lake made the conditions challenging and wet. Our drummer, Jenny McDougall, helped out another Wellington team, the DIA Dragons - who were also successful on the day, but at one stage capsized spectacularly. Final Results - Auckland Dragon Boat Association (PDF) |
NZCT Wellington Dragon Boat Festival 2015
3rd place Womens Open
On a rather grey, drizzly day on Wellington harbour in a light southerly, we got into the Womens Open Grand Final and came third with a time of 1.33.03, after the Cancer Society Wairarapa Womens team (1:28.52) , and the Swaggies Salties from Australia (1:28.62). We narrowly beat Nga Waka Warriors Interislander (1:33.22), who were then followed by Hutt Valley Heat 1 (1:34.58). Full results: NZCT Wellington Dragon Boat Festival 2015 - Saturday 14 Mar 2015 (346KB PDF)
Survivors Paddle to Bronze - Hutt News - 17 March 2015 Congratulations to our coach Jacob de Feitjer who was presented with the Coaches award for his fantastic coaching and recognised for the commitment he shows to many teams, other coaches and dragon boating in general. |
2013/14 Season
NZ Dragon Boat National Championships, 2014
1st and 2nd place
Coming 1st in the 500m race at Lake Hood in Ashburton gained us the title of BCS (Breast Cancer Survivors) National Champions.
We took the lead from the start of the final in the premier event, the 500m race, and kept control to win the gold medal. It was an emotional finish as we beat the reigning champions. We also added silver medals to their haul in the 200m and 2000m races during the course of the regatta. For more details of this success, read the CanTalk Newsletter Winter 2014 8 April 2014: Cancer Survivors Win National Dragon Boat Title 6 April 2014: Breast Cancer Survivors Win Ashburton Dragon Boat Regatta |
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"I was introduced by a friend to CanSurvive, she told me I would love it. 11 years on...... she was right!!" Lynley Wimsett, Paddler