40 Reasons Why Dragon Boat Padding is Brilliant for Breast Cancer Survivors.
I want to share my 40 reasons why dragon boat paddling is brilliant, especially after a breast cancer diagnosis:
1. It’s great for improving range of movement at the shoulder
2. It’s great for improving general fitness
3. It’s great for improving strength
4. It’s great for improving flexibility
5. It’s great for improving core stability
6. It’s great for improving coordination
7. It’s great for improving proprioception
8. It’s great for improving balance
9. It’s great for increasing energy levels
10. It’s exercise, but you don’t have to think of it as such (for those that don’t like exercise)
11. It will help promote better sleep
12. It helps to manage lymphedema
13. It helps to maintain your weight
14. It helps reduce your risk of cancer recurrence
15. It encourages team-working
16. It encourages problem-solving
17. It can challenge you to go out of your comfort zone
18. You get to try, develop and master new skills
19. It builds camaraderie
20. It helps to build confidence and self esteem
21. It helps to restore self efficacy
22. It gets you very close to nature
23. It’s great fun, you will laugh
24. With top quality helms and coaches you can be assured that you are in safe hands, your safety and the safety of the crew is their priority
25. You get the chance to train as a helm or a coach if you so desire
26. It encourages you to focus your mind on the task in hand, therefore:
27. It’s great mindfulness practice
28. You’ll make new friends
29. It will open the door to a thriving social calendar
30. You get to experience how amazing it feels to have a full boat of paddlers all paddling in sync with each other
31. You get to take part in regattas
32. You get to take part in regattas that are only for breast cancer survivors
33. It allows you to see the world from a different viewpoint – from within the boat on the water
34. You get to go to places you’ve never been before
35. You are part of a growing global community of breast cancer survivor paddlers
36. People are looking on at you in amazement – you’ll feature in lots of tourist’s videos
37. You are spreading the message that there is life after cancer
38. You are supporting other women affected by breast cancer
39. You are inspiring other women to pick up a paddle no matter what age they are.
40. It’s a demonstration of your AWESOMENESS!
So there you are 40 reasons to give it a go!
Find a club near you and go along for a trial paddle, if there isn’t a club near you then maybe you would think of setting one up. All clubs started somewhere, usually with one person with a vision and a dream and a will to make things happen! Paddles Up!
