Saskatoon breast cancer survivors set sail for French dragon boat festival
The Saskatoon-based team Busting with Energy will travel to France to compete in an international dragon boat gathering for breast cancer survivors.
A dragon boat team from Saskatoon called Busting with Energy, limited to breast cancer survivors, is traveling to France for the 2026 IBCPC Participatory Dragon Boat Festival at Lac du Bourget. Members like Kerry Neal joined the crew during chemotherapy and cite the water sport’s benefits for lymphedema and overall rehabilitation. President Anne Eagle, diagnosed 12 years ago, emphasizes the group’s role in showing life after cancer and fostering lifelong connections.
Training begins with a 12-week dry-land program in February, followed by river practice on the South Saskatchewan River by May. The festival will host dozens of teams from around the globe, highlighting the growing international community of breast cancer dragon boat athletes.
Why it matters
The story shows how sport can support health recovery and community for breast cancer survivors worldwide.
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