Dr. Don McKenzie, a sports medicine physician at the University of British Columbia formed and coached the Abreast in a Boat Dragon Boating team in 1996 to test the myth that repetitive upper-body exercise in women treated for breast cancer encourages lymphedema.
Dr. McKenzie believed that by following a special exercise and training program, women could avoid lymphedema and enjoy active, full lives. The results of the study showed that no new cases of lymphedema occurred and none of the existing cases became worse.
He chose dragon boating because it was strenuous, repetitive upper body exercise and it would be a team activity that would also be fun. This initial team has inspired teams across Canada and around the world.
