Try something new Join the ROBUSTERS CREW
The Kootenay Robusters Dragon Boat Team is beginning their 2015 season and inviting you to come and try it. We are recruiting more paddlers for fun, fitness and friendly competition. Last year the Robusters had a very successful year competing in two festivals. The first festival was held in Kelowna where the team won their first three races and posted times that resulted in the opportunity to take part in the women’s championship final, where they placed fourth. Penticton was their second festival which consisted of 73 teams. The highly competitive women’s division had 40 teams. The races were divided into levels with Platinum being the highest level. After winning their two Sat qualifying
heats, they were placed in the Platinum division. Sun morning semi-final race placed them behind the top four teams and into the
Inspiration & Donation
Platinum B final where they had a third place finish. Also on Sun was the Breast Cancer Survivor Cup Challenge race, open only to crews
The Kootenay Robusters donated $5000 to the KBRH Health Foundation’s Urology Campaign bringing the team’s donation total to over $55,000 to the KBRH Foundation. They, as much as anyone, know the value of investing in health care in the Kootenays. Funds were raised through Robuster calendar sales. If you would like to sponsor their calendars call Jeanie at 250-447-6169. Pictured are Debbie Martin (back left) and Lisa Pasin (back right) representing KBRH Health Foundation and Robusters back row l-r are Trudi Toews, Sue Geissler, Janice SissonPommier and Leanne Robson. Front row l-r are Jan Mickelwaite, Pat Tjader, Mary Hatlevik and Debbie LeRose.
For more information call: Joy 250-365-3794
Kathy 250-362-9644 Debbie 250-364-0993
of survivors. 14 Robusters combined with 7 paddlers from 4 other teams, including the Nelson Kootenay Rhythm Dragons, and was proud to place fourth out of a field of 9 teams. The Survivor race was followed by the traditional Carnation Ceremony held after each Survivor race to honour all those who have died of breast cancer and to encourage all those fighting this terrible disease. The introduction to the ceremony followed by the waving of hundreds of pink carnations in time to Garth Brooks’ song, “The River” is an emotional experience few ever forget.
Rae Jeanie
Dragon boating for breast cancer survivors started with Dr Don MacKenzie of the Sports Medicine Clinic at UBC in 1996. He recruited a dragon boat team of 25 breast cancer survivors to take part in research on breast cancer surgery and upper body exercise. At that time it was widely held that repetitive upper body movements led to lymphedema, an irreversible swelling of the arm and chest that is a common complication of breast cancer. The results of the research indicated that repetitive upper body exercise like paddling does not cause lymphedema, and the myth was laid to rest.
250-442-3333 250-447-6169