Dragon boat racing is an exhilarating and rewarding sport that offers a plethora of advantages to its participants. Not only does it provide an excellent cardiovascular workout, but it also helps to tone muscles, enhance flexibility, and reduce body fat. It also encourages team spirit and collaboration among its members, which are skills that can be applied in other aspects of life. Moreover, dragon boat racing can help to break down barriers between team members, increase motivation, improve communication, and boost self-confidence.
In addition to the physical health benefits of dragon boat racing, this sport also offers a number of mental health benefits. Studies have revealed that dragon boat racing can be a safe and effective complementary therapy for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, regardless of whether they have lymphedema or not. It can help to improve their quality of life by providing them with an opportunity to form close bonds with their teammates and take part in a fun and rewarding activity. Since the establishment of the world's first breast cancer survivor dragon boat team in 1996, there are now more than 140 teams of dragon boats that survive breast cancer paddling and competing in 12 different countries.
Sharon sails with Dragons Abreast Australia, a national organization that brings together cancer survivors at different stages of their recovery. Her team, the Pendragons, won two bronze medals at the Australian Dragon Boat Championship in Canberra and visited Florence to participate in the international regatta against breast cancer. Nevertheless, it is essential to remember that dragon boat racing is a potentially hazardous activity and should only be done under the supervision of a qualified instructor. Participants should be aware of the safety precautions they need to take before getting on the water, such as knowing how to swim to shore in case a ship capsizes, carrying a whistle or other signalling device, and having a designated person on board who is trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other first aid procedures. So if you're looking for an exciting and rewarding activity that can help you stay fit and healthy while having fun with your friends, then dragon boat racing is definitely worth considering. With its wide range of physical and mental health benefits, it's no wonder that this sport has become so popular around the world.
