International Dragon Boat Festival 2010, Peterborough, Ontario.

International Dragon Boat Festival 2010, Peterborough, Ontario.

Over a couple of weeks in June 2010 Paddlers for Life members shared their experiences of Peterborough, Ontario, Canada where the 2010 International Dragon Boat Festival took place.

Paddlers for Life have had a great couple of days paddling at the International Dragon Boat Festival races in Peterborough, Ontario and did us proud. They thank everyone at home for the support they have had in getting them to this point. They say we are all with them in the boat when they race.

An enthusiastic contingent traveled by ship, road, rail and air (and probably bike, car and maybe Dragon Boat) to attend this Dragon Boat Paddling Festival for breast cancer survivors. Many supporters were also there.

They met and raced with teams of survivors from across the world.

Their story starts with training.

As you can see our team was just about as prepared as they could be after another exciting day of coaching. These waves are on the calm part of the lake. Look at the streamers on the Dragon’s Head, nearly horizontal. Either it is very windy or this crew are paddling very fast! Excitement and enthusiasm filled the air today. The coach gave excellent tips and stirred their spirits to do the best we know they can do. Our hearts are with you Paddlers for Life team. Have an enjoyable and exciting time. We know you are already winners.

A coaching session on a windy Windermere.

A coaching session on a windy Windermere.

Paddling Bear, their mascot, is just about ready to be off to Canada. Most things are ready, the suitcase is found. Watch my adventures over the next couple of weeks.

Paddling Bear is just about ready to be off to Canada. Most things are ready, the suitcase is found.

Paddling Bear is just about ready to be off to Canada. Most things are ready, the suitcase is found.

Watch my adventures over the next couple of weeks.

Watch my adventures over the next couple of weeks.

Paddling Bear, and a gathered entourage, just about to board the plane at Manchester Airport on Saturday.
Lots of happy faces anticipating the excitement to come.

addling Bear, and a gathered entourage, Judy, Aly, Elaine, Roz , just about to board the plane at Manchester Airport on Saturday. Lots of happy faces anticipating the excitement to come.

Paddling Bear, and a gathered entourage, Judy, Aly, Elaine, Roz , just about to board the plane at Manchester Airport on Saturday.
Lots of happy faces anticipating the excitement to come.

Wednesday 9th. June, 2010. Here’s Paddling Bear at Little Lake practice session. It’s very cold and wet but he got sun burnt yesterday.

Paddling bear at a practice session.

Paddling bear at a practice session.

Thursday 10th. June. “The girls lounging in Lakefield trying to get Wi-Fi! Absent friends always in our thoughts. We recorded our fastest time ever in our practice paddling yesterday.”

"The girls lounging in Lakefield trying to get Wi-Fi! Absent friends are always in our thoughts.

“The girls lounging in Lakefield trying to get Wi-Fi! Absent friends are always in our thoughts.

Paddlers for life have a write up in The Peterborough Examiner. See what says.

Peterborough Examiner article. Peterborough Examiner article. Peterborough Examiner article.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They have had their fastest practice time in the race practices and are well placed to achieve great things personally and as a team.
We are with them in spirit and sending positive thoughts. Do your best Paddlers for Life and have great races.

A selection of photographs from racing practices. © The Peterborough Examiner

Canada IDBF race day.

The Race Schedule shows that, on Saturday 12th. June, the Paddlers for Life team will be racing at 9-15 (1-15 p.m. UK time) and 2-45 (6-45 p.m. UK time).

9-15 race: Abreast Or Knot (Canada), Paddlers for Life (England), Spirit Warriors (Canada), West Island Dragons (Canada), Dragons Abreast Sydney (Australia)
Came second in heat, time 2 minutes 42 seconds.

2-45 race : More Survivors Abreast (Canada), Breast Friends Juggernauts (Canada), Tickled Pink (Australia), Hope Afloat Philadelphia (USA), Paddlers for Life (England)
Came second in heat, time 2 minutes 40 seconds.

Photos from the first race day. They are looking happy. I hope that also means fast times.Photos from the first race day. They are looking happy. I hope that also means fast times. Photos from the first race day. They are looking happy. I hope that also means fast times.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday 11th. June: Photos from the opening ceremony parade, Peterborough International Dragon Boat Festival 2010.

Pink Parade at Peterborough. All the teams parade through the town.

Pink Parade at Peterborough. All the teams parade through the town.

Pink Parade at Peterborough. All the teams parade through the town.

Pink Parade at Peterborough. All the teams parade through the town.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Paddlers for Life "flying the flag" boldly at a great event.Paddlers for Life “flying the flag” boldly at a great event.

Lots to see and lots to do besides paddling.Peterborough tent

 

Flowers on the water ceremony. Remembering friends.Flowers on the water ceremony. Remembering friends.

Paddlers for Life team at the Peterborough, Ontario, International Dragon Boat Festival. 2010.

Paddlers for Life team at the Peterborough, Ontario, International Dragon Boat Festival. 2010.

Paddlers for Life team at the Peterborough, Ontario, International Dragon Boat Festival. 2010.

How Amazing is this event? The atmosphere is electric. If you stand still for too long, some new friend will swap the shirt off your back, and we now have a fine collection of team paraphernalia from around the world. Our race times today felt slower, but we came in singing and with big smiles. As Keni put it, “If you don’t win in the race – win at the party!”. We’re definitely leaving a reputation behind as the team who sings and dances; when Lynn lead our musical warm-up, we had folk dancing right down the street! Right now we’re sitting on the grass waiting for the closing ceremony, and the sun is smiling on us at last. We are so privileged to be here and be part of this fantastic community; and it really does feel as though we’re winners!

Frances

How Amazing is this event? The atmosphere is electric. If you stand still for too long, some new friend will swap the shirt off your back, and we now have a fine collection of team paraphernalia from around the world. Our race times today felt slower, but we came in singing and with big smiles. As Keni put it, "If you don't win in the race - win at the party!". We're definitely leaving a reputation behind as the team who sings and dances; when Lynn lead our musical warm-up, we had folk dancing right down the street! Right now we're sitting on the grass waiting for the closing ceremony, and the sun is smiling on us at last. We are so privileged to be here and be part of this fantastic community; and it really does feel as though we're winners! How Amazing is this event? The atmosphere is electric. If you stand still for too long, some new friend will swap the shirt off your back, and we now have a fine collection of team paraphernalia from around the world. Our race times today felt slower, but we came in singing and with big smiles. As Keni put it, "If you don't win in the race - win at the party!". We're definitely leaving a reputation behind as the team who sings and dances; when Lynn lead our musical warm-up, we had folk dancing right down the street! Right now we're sitting on the grass waiting for the closing ceremony, and the sun is smiling on us at last. We are so privileged to be here and be part of this fantastic community; and it really does feel as though we're winners!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How Amazing is this event? The atmosphere is electric. If you stand still for too long, some new friend will swap the shirt off your back, and we now have a fine collection of team paraphernalia from around the world. Our race times today felt slower, but we came in singing and with big smiles. As Keni put it, "If you don't win in the race - win at the party!". We're definitely leaving a reputation behind as the team who sings and dances; when Lynn lead our musical warm-up, we had folk dancing right down the street! Right now we're sitting on the grass waiting for the closing ceremony, and the sun is smiling on us at last. We are so privileged to be here and be part of this fantastic community; and it really does feel as though we're winners!

 

The picture says it all…

The picture says it all..., we are all winners.

The picture says it all…, we are all winners.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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