{"id":92,"date":"2025-10-25T14:07:40","date_gmt":"2025-10-25T18:07:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.blackbikemedia.com\/breaststrokes357\/?page_id=92"},"modified":"2026-04-12T14:05:46","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T18:05:46","slug":"history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/staging.blackbikemedia.com\/breaststrokes357\/history\/","title":{"rendered":"History"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Our History<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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BreastStrokes: Paddling since 1998<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe team origins of BreastStrokes began in 1998, born from a vision of hope and a refusal to be defined by illness. What started in a church basement has grown into a competitive crew and a pillar of the community.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Origins<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The team origins of BreastStrokes<\/strong> began in 1998, born from a vision of hope and a refusal to be defined by illness. At the time, the prevailing medical advice for breast cancer survivors was to avoid repetitive upper body exercise to prevent lymphedema.<\/p>

Inspired by the work of Dr. Don McKenzie in Vancouver, a small group of women in Guelph decided to challenge that myth. They started in a church basement, sitting on folding chairs and practicing their strokes with broomsticks.<\/p>

From those humble beginnings, BreastStrokes has grown into a competitive force and a pillar of the community, shaping local dragon boat history by proving that there is vibrant, active life after a diagnosis.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Our History<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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1998<\/div><\/div>
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\"\"<\/div>
The Beginning<\/div>

Proposal to start a breast cancer survivors team in Guelph. First practices held in a church basement using broomsticks on folding chairs. In 1999 we entered 3 regattas.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

2000<\/div><\/div>
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University Partnership<\/div>

University of Guelph and Pat Richards take on the team sponsorship, formalizing our training structure. We entered into two regattas this year.\u00a0<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

2001<\/div><\/div>
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\"First<\/div>
First Executive Elected<\/div>

First Executive elected Fall 2001. Dragon Line Newsletter began in November. Our team attended 4 Regattas over the next two years.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

2003<\/div><\/div>
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\"Our<\/div>
Our Own Boat<\/div>

Our Constitution and Bylaws are drawn up and we purchased our boat in June for $10,000. Our team attended 5 Regattas this season<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

2007<\/div><\/div>
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\"Dr.<\/div>
Dr. Don Visits<\/div>

Dr. Don McKenzie visits our team and paddles with us in June. The last few years we have participated in 4 regattas. Half the team attended a regatta in Australia.\u00a0<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

2010<\/div><\/div>
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\"Puslinch<\/div>
Puslinch Lake <\/div>

Relocate our practice site from Guelph Lake to Puslinch Lake. Pat Richards retires as coach. Alkame Dragon Boat Coaching Services provides coaching - Ethan Dixon. We consistently attend 3 regattas a year.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> \n

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