A huge flotilla of boats assembled on the Thames at Putney to paddle in this celebratory event. They paddled along the Thames to eventually pass in front of the Royal Barge with Queen Elizabeth II watching the event.
Preparing the boat dressed in red. white and blue and a special cowl at the front to cope with wind and waves. The hard wooden seats are padded for the long journey.
At the early stages of the pageant the dragon boat crews are getting into their stride. Artemis Diana had mostly survivor paddlers with a couple of supporters. Lucy at Low Wood was borrowed by the International Breast Cancer Paddler’s Commission and crewed by an international team of breast cancer paddlers.
The international team of breast cancer paddlers had Dr. Don McKenzie as their helm or steersperson. His initial sports science research was the stimulus for the development of breast cancer dragon boat paddling teams across the world.
The pageant covered a course from 12 miles and Tower Bridge was the official finish.The crew had to paddle a further three miles to get off the Thames at Poplar.
Paddlers for Life paddled to proudly celebrate the achievements of the charity since its inception in 2007. See more information.