Local survivors head to France for record-breaking international festival
Twenty-two members of Survivors Abreast Peterborough, plus their coach, are preparing to travel to Aix-les-Bains, France, for the 2026 International Breast Cancer Paddlers’ Commission Participatory Dragon Boat Festival, organisers confirmed. The trip will mark another chapter in a tradition that links physical activity, community solidarity and support for breast cancer care in Peterborough and the surrounding area.
The festival is expected to be the largest in the event’s history, drawing about 4,500 breast cancer survivors on 170 teams representing 37 countries. For the Peterborough paddlers, the trip continues more than 15 years of international participation in survivor dragon boat events.
Locally, Survivors Abreast Peterborough is well known not only for sending crews overseas but also for staging the annual Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival. The community event celebrated its 25th anniversary in June and has raised more than $5 million for breast and other cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre.
- Team travelling: 22 survivors plus coach
- Festival size: about 4,500 participants from 37 countries
- Local fundraising: Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival has raised over $5 million
The international movement that spawned these teams has Canadian roots. It began in Vancouver in 1996 when a physician developed a programme to challenge the then-common belief that survivors should avoid strenuous upper-body exercise because of concerns about lymphedema. Dragon boat paddling evolved into a global movement that emphasises physical activity, mutual support and breast cancer awareness.
“Strength is not in one paddle alone, but in every heart
The festival in Aix-les-Bains begins with a Parade of Nations and opening ceremonies on Aug. 27. Two days of racing follow, featuring 500-metre and 200-metre events, the Sandy Smith Global Finale, a flower ceremony and closing events on Aug. 29. Survivors Abreast Peterborough members have been focused on improving technique, building endurance and synchronizing as a single crew under the guidance of their coach.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Parade of Nations / Opening ceremonies | Aug. 27 |
| Racing (200m, 500m) & Sandy Smith Finale | Aug. 282D29 |
For many in Peterborough, the team’s presence on the world stage is more than a sporting mission: it is a continuation of local efforts to support cancer care and to demonstrate survivorship in public life. The city’s festival has been a fixture for a quarter-century, bringing together paddlers, volunteers and donors to raise money and awareness. The funds raised have directly supported services at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre, according to organisers.
Survivors Abreast Peterborough’s international travel record includes past appearances in Sarasota, Florida (2014), Florence, Italy (2018) and Waikato, New Zealand (2023), along with hosting duties in Peterborough in 2010. The group’s ongoing activity reflects a blend of competitive paddling, peer support and public advocacy for early detection and treatment.
As the crew finalises training and preparations, local supporters are watching closely. The team’s participation in Aix-les-Bains will showcase Peterborough on an international platform while reinforcing local messages about the benefits of exercise and community connections for people living with and beyond cancer.
Organisers say the festival will offer opportunities for teams to celebrate survivorship through sport and ceremony while connecting with a global network of survivors and advocates.
