DRAGON DIVAS

Dragon Divas

St. Paul, Minnesota

About Dragon Divas and Dragon Boating

The Dragon Divas demonstrate that a full and active life is indeed achievable after a diagnosis of breast cancer through the sport of dragon boating and with activities to connect in supportive and fun environments.

Founded in 2006 with 8 breast cancer survivors on board, the Dragon Divas today have more than 100 members. We embody our message by advocating year-round physical fitness, racing dragon boats at regional events each season, and promoting education and outreach activities through the year. Winning races isn’t our primary goal; instead, we are a unique group of women who enjoy the sport of dragon boat racing to empower each member to improve her personal physical and mental fitness.

Dragon boats are long, colorful vessels adorned with a dragon head at the front and tail at the back, and room for 20 paddlers, a drummer and a stern. Dragon boat racing became connected with breast cancer in 1996 as a result of studies challenging the prevailing medical thinking that

women treated for breast cancer should avoid rigorous upper body exercise. The studies not only debunked the myths about exercise, they revealed that participants experienced physical and mental health benefits as a result of dragon boat paddling. There are currently more than 360 Breast Cancer Survivor (BCS) dragon boat racing teams around the world.

We are dedicated to promoting the early detection of breast cancer and raising awareness in the community of the importance of physical fitness in fighting this disease. Through our message and actions, Dragon Divas honor the memory of those who have died from the disease and the blessings they have bestowed on our survivorship.

Our Membership and Geographic Area Served

Through our outreach programs we encourage all breast cancer survivors to live active and vibrant lives throughout St. Paul, Minneapolis, and surrounding communities including western Wisconsin. Each season we participate in Dragon Boat festivals in Minnesota and the broader upper Midwest region.

Every 4 years, the Dragon Divas participate in the International Breast Cancer Paddling Commission (IBCPC) festival where paddlers from around the world gather to celebrate survivorship. August 24-30, 2026, the Dragon Divas will join teams from around the world in Aix-les-Bains, France in the spirit of friendly competition. Previously we have traveled to Ontario, Florida, Italy and New Zealand for IBCPC international festivals.

Dragon Divas in 2024

2024 was a full and rich year for the Dragon Divas. Our coaching team guided 3 practices a week during the paddling season and training crew hosted our fourth annual 2-day paddling camp. We competed fiercely in six festivals: St. Paul, MN; Chicago, IL; Burlington, VT; Fort Dodge, IA; Superior, WI; Kansas City, MO. Just as important were the relationships developed, enhanced and extended through our time on and off the boat.

Social opportunities included a variety of online and in-person connections. Among them, members expanded their critical reading skills with a book club. We gathered to socialize and support each other coming together for meals, coffee hours, game nights, movies, plays and bonfires. Off-season, members participated in a variety of weekly strength and fitness training including walks, runs, water aerobic, TRX, Pilates , HIIT, and guided weight training.

Twenty-six new members were introduced to the excitement and technique of dragon boating in our 19th season. During Breast Cancer Awareness month the city of St. Paul proclaimed October 24, 2024 as Dragon Divas of St. Paul Day. We were honored to be named Minnesota Senior Sports Hall of Fame Team of the Year by the Minnesota Senior Sports Association.

Community outreach took us to the Masonic Cancer Center/University of Minnesota Survivorship Conference; Breast Cancer Education Association Conference; MN Oncology, Hope in Motion Fundraiser Walk; North Memorial Cancer Care Conference; American Cancer Society, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer celebration; MN State Fair, KARE 11 Wellness Fair; and India Association of MN Cancer Awareness event, and health-care clinics throughout our community. The Dragon Divas continued our collaboration again in 2024 with community organizations to support breast cancer patients with particularly challenging personal situations and needs.

Looking Forward

2025 is our 20th birthday! We will celebrate this milestone season with special opportunities monthly to support each other and our communities. We warmly welcome new survivors and invite you to get in touch to learn more. Paddles up!