Dragon Divas Open 20th Season at International Festival
Dragon Divas in Vancouver. Thank you Allina Health for sponsoring our 20th Anniversary Season!
Two teams of Dragon Divas, all with at least 2 years paddling experience, traveled to Vancouver, British Columbia, to compete in the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival June 20-22, 2025. With 220 teams registered, this festival is the largest dragon boat festival in North America. Of these, 33 teams competed in the Breast Cancer Division 500 Meter races over the 2 days. Sporting their new 20th Season jerseys, Dragon Divas-Hope qualified for the Grand Final, and placed 5th overall of 33 BC teams, with a time of 2:27 minutes, while Dragon Divas-Courage qualified for the B Final and placed 14th overall in the BC Division, with a time of 2:38 minutes.
Dragon Divas boats Courage and Hope compete in Breast Cancer Division Semi Final, Race #62.
Host team, Abreast in a Boat, celebrates its 30th season this year, and is the original breast cancer team in the world. The Dragon Divas had an opportunity to meet its team members, as well as Dr. Don McKenzie, who conducted the original research proving that exercise is beneficial for breast cancer survivors.
Abreast in a Boat conducted a stunning flower ceremony in which both boats of Dragon Divas participated along with 16 dragon boats of BC paddlers on the water, and 15 more teams on shore along with friends, family and supporters, at False Creek, the racing venue. Side by side with paddlers from Canada, the United States, Australia, and countries in South America, we honored those who have been lost to breast cancer and those who are still battling the disease.
Celebrating survivorship together and honoring those who have gone before us during the Flower Ceremony.
To see all the Vancouver races in which the Dragon Divas competed, click the link below. Watch races #12, 13, 50, 52 on Day 1, and 62, 86 and 87 on Day 2. Race #87 is followed by the Flower Ceremony.