Breast Cancer Survivor Dragon Boating began in 1996 when Dr. Don McKenzie, a Professor in the Department of Sports Medicine, exercise physiologist, and avid dragon boater, developed a program to determine the impact of exercise on breast cancer survivors.

He trained twenty-four breast cancer volunteers in a gym for three months, Then he introduced them to dragon boats and taught them paddling techniques. At the end of the three-month season on the water none of the volunteers had lymphedema. They were also more fit and happier as a result of the exercise and camaraderie with their new team of friends.