Our boats will arrive mid September!
Abreast in a Boat Team, Vancouver, Canada
Take a look at what it is about
About Us
The Plurabelle Paddlers is a breast cancer support group with a difference! We are a group of women in the Greater Dublin area who have or have been through breast cancer. We have set up a dragon boat team (think Hawaii Five-0) to:
- get fit
- enjoy the mutual support of team mates
- raise awareness about breast cancer.
We are all new to the sport and are inspired by the 150 or so breast cancer dragon boat teams worldwide.
Join the Plurabelle Paddlers
Whatever your level of fitness or age we’d love to hear from you. Thanks to Greystones Rowing Club for their fundraising efforts on our behalf.
Date: 11-12 September 2010
Support: Greystones Rowing Club RIB Raid
Venue: Carlingford
Get Fit!
Research indicates that regular physical exercise supports recovery from breast cancer treatment and decreases the chances of a recurrence. Join us no matter what your level of fitness. Until we start to paddle weekly, we are looking to meet together for a fitness class twice a month.
Training will be focused on:
- improving flexibility – specific stretches
- strengthening the upper body – gentle weight exercises
- getting fit – walking, jogging, swimming, cycling - you choose!
Our initial training will begin at least six weeks prior to getting on the water. Once we reach that stage we are lucky enough to have Julie Doyle of the GB Dragon Boat Team as our Head Coach.
To get an idea of the training involved take a look at the original dragon boat teams training manual.
The aims of the group are actively supported by Dr Jennifer Westrup, Consultant Oncologist, UMPC Beacon Hospital and Dr David Fennelly, Consultant Oncologist, St Vincents Hospital.
Regular physical exercise is emerging as a progressive approach to managing health after treatment for breast cancer. Women taking up exercise should take things slowly and first discuss their exercise plans with their doctor.
Julie Doyle - Team Coach
Julie has over 19 years experience of dragon boat racing and has raced all over the world. She has been at every World and European Championships since 1997 as part of the Great Britain Dragon Boat Team.
Now based in Carlow, Julie, a level 4 coach, has trained numerous teams and individuals from the complete novice to those aspiring to be part of the national team.
Why Dragon Boats?
Dr. Don McKenzie, a sports medicine physician at the University of British Columbia, Canada, launched Abreast in a Boat in 1996. He sought to test the myth that repetitive upper-body exercise in women treated for breast cancer could cause lymphoedema.
Dr McKenzie believed that by following a special exercise and training program, women could avoid lymphoedema and enjoy active, full lives. The initial group were carefully monitored by a sports medicine physician, a physiotherapist and a nurse. Dr McKenzie's theory was proven correct. No new cases of lymphoedema occurred and none of the existing cases became worse.
From a medical study involving one boat of 25 women in 1996, the organization has now grown to over 15 teams worldwide. Ours is the first team in Ireland and we are grateful for the advice of the Abreast in a Boat group and the Pool of Life team in Liverpool.
Upcoming Events
Flowing into Fitness Workshop
(for those who missed this course in May)
Saturday 11 September 2010 (Time TBA)
Gloucester St South Sport And Recreation Centre
Resistance Training
organised by Europa Donna Ireland
Mondays 13, 20 & 27 September 2010 8pm
Gloucester St South Sport And Recreation Centre
Past Events
Walk, jog, run for us in the Mini Marathon!
Monday 7 June 2010
Dragon Boat Helm Course I
Saturday 12 June & Sunday 13 2010
Summer Party on the River Fundraiser
from 9pm - Saturday 26 June 2010
Aqua Aerobics
Sunday 27 June 2010
Dragon Boat Helm Course II
Saturday 10 July 2010
Paddler Training Exercises
Saturday 7 August 2010
Thanks!
Thanks to the following for their help:
Moya Nolan Photographer
University of Limerick Activity Centre
Edel Duffy Pilates
Gloucester Street South Sports & Recreation Centre
Aviva Stadium Community Grant Scheme
Max Insurance Europe Ltd
Waterways Ireland
Ormond Wine Bar
Maldron Hotel
Donate
We are fundraising to buy a dragon boat. If you would like to make a donation, you can do so by lodging directly to our bank account. Our account details are as follows:
Account Name: Dragon Boat Project
Bank: AIB Sandymount
Account No:12015075
Sort Code No: 93-36-00
We are delighted to have sold two pictures by Debbie Chapman at our Summer Party. A percentage of the pictures sales on the night went go to our dragon boat fund! Thanks to Angela Collins for organising a brilliant night. The last of the disco dancer left a 3am!