The Pink Piston Paddlers

By Sionna McTavish

The Pink Piston Paddlers are a dragon boat team of breast cancer survivors and supporters who formed in 2006, with a vision of participating in the breast cancer survivors’ festival in Australia the following year. 

Blair Acton, a current member/supporter of the Pink Piston Paddlers, became involved in the group with her mother Margaret, a breast cancer survivor. She explained that the Australia initiative brought women together in Salmon Arm at the Shuswap Rowing and Paddling Club from places such as Revelstoke and Kamloops, to prepare for the event. 

As meaningful connections and friendships developed amongst paddlers who were able to share their experiences and support one another, interest in the sport flourished, along with what Acton described as a “comradery” from belonging to a dragon boat team. Breast cancer survivors and supporters formed groups in their immediate local communities, while the Pink Piston Paddlers remain comprised of members from the North and South Shuswap, Salmon Arm, Sicamous, Enderby, and Armstrong. Many of whom have travelled to memorable provincial and international festivals. Fast forward to 2022, whereupon the Pink Piston Paddlers’ goal is to be at the Cancer Survivors Festival and Flower Ceremony, in New Zealand, April 2023. 

The season runs from May, just in time to practice for the upcoming Shuswap Dragon Boat Festival on June 18, to September. The Pink Piston Paddlers are inviting new members to join their 22-person breast cancer survivor team. Prior experience is not necessary, nor is equipment with the exception of close-toe sandals/water shoes. By becoming a member of the Shuswap Rowing and Paddling Club and registering for the Pink Piston Paddlers dragon boat program, life jackets and paddles are made available; training is included as well. A dragon boat is operated by 20 paddlers in unison, a drummer who maintains the paddling beat/rhythm, and one steersperson. Acton is the primary steersperson and is hoping to train two more members for this position. Comfortability standing on a paddle board is the only prerequisite. 

Although dragon boats can reach speeds of over 20 kilometers per hour in a 500 meter race – generally lasting 2-3 minutes – for the Pink Piston Paddlers, the value of togetherness with fellow breast cancer survivors and supporters holds greater importance than the competitive aspect of the sport. At the Festival in Salmon Arm, Acton told of how opposing teams planned to reach the finish line simultaneously as a demonstration of their solidarity with one another. Another memorable instance of comradery occurred in Venice, Italy, when the team was invited as guests to paddle through the canals of the City, typically waterways not open to tourists. Though to attest to the strength of force exerted by the Pink Piston Paddlers, Acton said they once “pulled a youth” on two water skis! 

Dragon boat training has been proven to help breast cancer survivors regain their fitness and wellbeing. In 1995, Dr. Don McKenzie, an internationally renowned Physician (better known by breast cancer survivors around the world as “Dr. Don” from Vancouver, Acton said), and 2022 recipient of the Order of Canada for his contributions to sports medicine and breast cancer survivors, chose to clinically research the effects of dragon boat paddling on 24 breast cancer survivors. He disproved claims by other medical professionals that survivors should avoid engaging in physical activity because it caused lymphedema. Instead, Dr. McKenzie documented the health benefits for survivors, which has led to the formation of breast cancer survivor dragon boat groups across the globe. 

Pink Piston Paddlers win gold in the women's final at the Kamloops Dragon Boat festival on Saturday, August 10th, 2021
Photo credit - Pink Piston Paddlers

Carnation ceremony commemorating those who have lost their battle with breast cancer and offering hope for those still battling the disease. Photo credit - Pink Piston Paddlers

The Pink Piston Paddlers team in Penticton.
Photo credit - Pink Piston Paddlers

On June 18, at the Salmon Arm Dragon Boat Festival, a Flower Ceremony will be held. During such times, a carnation is given to breast cancer survivors and supporters to acknowledge the beauty of each woman’s life and journey. It is an “emotional” ceremony Acton said, and a very important part of their dragon boat festivals.

You can find more information about the Pink Piston Paddlers on their Facebook page www.facebook.com/PinkPistonPaddlers, or email Blair Acton at pinkpistonpaddlers22@gmail.com if you are a survivor who is interested in joining their group and ultimately going to New Zealand in 2023.

Beginning in May 2022, the Pink Piston Paddlers meet every Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. at the Salmon Arm Marine Park, 780 Marine Park Drive.