by Phyllis Parker
Abreast A River Team Member

Abreast A River's trip to Peterborough, Ontario was wonderful,probably the best team trip we have ever had. Team members felt their personal expenditures for the trip were certainly worthwhile!

The International Dragon Boat Festival 2010 brought together more than 70 teams from across Canada and around the world. There is remarkable camaradarie and spirit among breast cancer survivors when they all get together. Everyone was having a great time.

Race events were held on Little Lake in the center of Peterborough but the whole city seemed to be celebrating with us. Flags flew, shops were decorated in pink, and welcome signs were everywhere.

On Friday afternoon all teams paraded through the main business district of Peterborough. Spectators lined the streets. Small children waved from strollers, older ones sat on the curbs. People sat in lawn chairs, and waved from doorways, upstairs windows, and balconies.

All traffic stopped as countless police blocked the streets leading on to George Street. Drivers didn't seem to mind. They smiled, honked and waved.

Abreast A River followed a Nova Scotia flag bearer as team members carried our own team banner. People hollered "Yeah, Nova Scotia, Yeah New Glasgow". We passed out Nova Scotia flags and team pins. They thanked us for coming. We replied "Thanks for having us!" They seemed amazed that there were so many of us, breast cancer survivors by the hundreds!

The parade ended at Del Crary Park, beside Little Lake, for a teams bar-b-que followed by Opening Ceremonies. We were very proud of our Team Captain, Meredith Roossinck when she presented the Canadian Flag as youngest attending member from Canada.

Saturday's race day was very rainy with a strong cross wind. We had practiced on so many rainy days this spring it almost seemed normal. As the first race began our team came off the start line like they had been shot out of a gun! 500 meters later we posted a win with a time of 2 minutes and 42 seconds. Our other three races were consistent with times of 2:43, 2:45 and 2:42. We won our first race on Saturday and our last race on Sunday. Sunday was a lovely sunny day.

Each team was assigned an ambasador. Ron MacIssac looked after us very well. He solved any problem that seemed to loom, answered questions, and even produced a large quantity of bananas, and bagels with cream cheese when he discovered that the cafeteria, at our particular residence, was not open on Sunday morning!

We stayed at one of the residences of Sir Sanford Fleming College. The accomodations are typical of most residences, but arranged in "pods" of 6 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a small living room and kitchen area. A set of open shelves, about 5 feet long, is situated just inside the main door of each pod.

Any team is made up of many different personalities. There are some who are full of fun and keep us laughing. One of our team mates had an idea about what she termed would be "a great shot". With pillows under their heads, six of them,one to each shelf, looked as if they were settling in for the night. They e-mailed the resulting photo to our coach Mike, home in New Glasgow, with the caption " The accomodations for sleeping could be better!"

No one could believe it when they saw the photo! It is nice to have people around who are always able to keep us laughing.

A diagnosis of breast cancer may knock you to your knees, but being a member of a dragon boat team can raise you up to a life of fitness, friendship, laughter and fun!

For further information on Cancer call the Canadian Cancer Society Information Line at 1-888-939-3333