News

Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, that’s when we hold our annual flower ceremony. This year’s ceremony took place on Saturday 10 October. It’s a time when we unite and remember those who have left us and who we carry with us. We feel sadness for their loss and gratitude for having had them in our lives. We come together in friendship, support and love.

It’s a time to share memories with family members who join us, to laugh and to cry together, as we leave flowers on the water where they paddled alongside us.

Thank you to Tara for leading us in a beautifully warm and uplifting ceremony.

Well over two years of planning and at the end of August 39 Plurabelles finally arrived in Aix-les-Bains for the IBCPC Participatory Festival: 4,500 participants from all 25 countries, men and women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer, came together. We took part in a week of racing, making new friends and memories. We celebrated life with joy and gratitude in our hearts.

As we take time to reflect, we would like to say a special thank you to all our members, families, friends and supporters. You helped make this a reality for those of us who travelled to the event. We have memories that will stay with us forever.

Four new helms for the Plurabelles

On Sunday 9 August 2026 four trainee helms stepped out of their comfort zone and took to the Grand Canal Dock to complete their crew helm training by taking a written and practical exam under the keen eye of Julie Doyle, IDBA Chairman. Preparation is everything and Aoife, Maria, Margy and Niccy worked closely as a group to support each other over the summer while gaining experience under the tutelage of one of our helm trainers, Margaret Mulcahy. All that effort paid off and they passed with flying colours. The Club is looking forward to supporting them in gaining experience over the autumn and winter training. We would also like to thank those club members who paddled the boats and managed the capsize drill.

The new helms increase our helms to the fabulous number of 25, which is a wonderful confirmation of our Club’s belief in giving all members the opportunity to expand their dragon boat experience through access to the many courses run by the IDBA.

Sunday 3 May saw the Athy Regatta taking place. The weather stayed fine and both our teams competed strongly in their categories. It was the first regatta for a number of our newer members and we think it has awoken their inner dragon with promises of more great competitions to come!

We had a fabulous start to May with a very busy bank holiday weekend. On Saturday 2 May our wonderful member Linda Taylor was awarded Spirit of the Plurabelles in our annual ceremony. Nominated by her fellow members, the award recognises members who embody the ‘spirit’ of the Plurabelles with qualities like kindness and generosity in giving time to our club and other members. Linda’s family attended and the award was presented by our late founder Fiona Tiernan’s son Oscar.

Wednesday 11th February saw us take a break from our typical training to join Accenture on their community walk. Some of our members walked with Accenture from their office to our clubhouse, while some of our paddlers paddled alongside the walkers around the dock, giving a “paddle, bang, salute” along the way. A palpable buzz of excitement followed us every step of the way as the Accenture community and Plurabelles chatted and shared stories.

Thank you to Accenture for the lovely welcome we received in your office, and for choosing Plurabelle Paddlers as your partner on your community walk.

 Photos courtesy of Catrin Prys-Cummins