Members of the NorthBreast Passage Dragon Boat Team prepare to paddle at West Lake this afternoon

Prince George, BC –  The ‘Joie de Vivre’ is the name of the NorthBreast Passage Dragon Boat and that exuberance is palpable on-board the vessel with team members – all of them breast cancer survivors.

Today, the team was at West Lake for a meet-and-greet with the public.  Member, Enid Bond, says, "We want everyone to know that even though breast cancer is a challenge, there is a wonderful life after you are diagnosed with breast cancer."

Bond joined the dragon boat team about seven years ago with three other women from Quesnel, the group would drive up to practises.  She now resides in Prince George and has made the switch from paddling to drumming for the team.

"This is an amazing team of strong women, who take good things from everyday," says Bond.  "We’re all in one boat and we work together and, for me, it’s just an inspiration.

Glenys Hogan (r) and Betty Smyth (l) are original members, joining 12-years ago when Dr. Linda Wilson established the team. 

Both women have taken time away from the ‘Joie de Vivre’, but are drawn back by the comaraderie…and the exercise. 

And work hard they do. (click on photo at left for video)

After all the exertion of their three trips back and forth across the provincial park at West Lake, these women were still smiling.

The team is coached by Anita Kashmark.  A highlight of today’s event for Anita’s mother-in-law, Lola Kashmark, was the opportunity to take a ride on the dragon boat.

Although Lola Kashmark moved to Saskatchewan from Prince George five years ago, she has many personal connections to the team.  She sat behind her former work colleague, Smyth, and took the seat of now-grown, Kathy Northcott, who was Kashmark’s neighbour as a child.

"I’ve known Kathy since she was a little girl and she said, ‘I’m giving you my seat," says Kashmark.  "I was so surprised and excited, it was just a wonderful experience."

The team is off to compete at a regatta in Penticton on September 8th and 9th, along with approximately 90 dragon boats.  Last year, they won gold in the Survivor Challenge.

They are all winners.