It was 20 years ago on October 30, 2006 when Avalon Dragon Boating was publicly launched in St. John's at the Johnson Geo Centre. About 20 breast cancer survivors who made up the dragon boat team were drummed in by Curtis Andrews and Anu Rao. Julie Bettney, chairwoman of the group, announced that the plan was to build Canada's first wooden dragon boat under the direction of naval architect Bruce Whitelaw, and to be ready to compete in a festival in Nova Scotia in the summer o

It was such an honour for the Avalon Dragons to be acknowledged in the NL House of Assembly in a statement by Sarah Stoodley, MHA for Mount Scio. She recognized the history of the team, its mission and its recent success at the IBCPC festival in France. Minister Paul Dinn, who represents Topsail-Paradise congratulated the team as well. Proud moments for the Avalon Dragons!

Are you a breast cancer survivor who would like to give dragon boating a try? We’ll be offering try-it opportunities for our 2027 season, and we’d love to hear from you! No previous dragon boating experience is needed — just a willingness to give it a try and meet an amazing group of women. Email membershipavalondragons@gmail.com to join our mailing list and be notified when our try-it opportunities are announced. You don’t have to paddle alone. Come find your strength, your

The Avalon Dragons were delighted to support The NL Cancer Conference for Women and to provide information about our dragon boat team. The conference offered women affected by cancer an opportunity to learn, share their experiences and connect with others who understand.

The Avalon Dragons were out in full force for the 2026 Polka Dot Trot hosted by the Cancer Care Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador — and we definitely brought the pink! There were polka dots, tutus, crazy accessories, big smiles, lots of laughs and, of course, plenty of Dragon spirit. A huge Thank You to the Cancer Care Foundation for putting together such a fantastic event, and to everyone who walked, volunteered, donated, cheered, laughed and celebrated alongside the A

What a great turnout to help put the boats away! It was a fabulous paddling season topped off with the IBCPC Festival in France. Lots of wonderful memories over the last year - both on and off the water. Now on to fitness regimes and social events to carry us through until we get back on the water in May!

Our team is home with incredible memories of our participation in the IBCPC Participatory Dragon Boat Festival in Aix-les-Bains, France. We are so pleased with our performance and still pinch ourselves that we paddled in such a beautiful location, surrounded by thousands of incredible breast cancer survivors from so many countries. It was moving, uplifting and exciting - a truly unforgettable shared experience.

Today is the day! 23 paddlers and coach Laura are traveling to Aix-les-Bains, France for the IBCPC international dragon boat festival. There will be 4500 participants, 170 teams, representing 25 nations! Good luck to our Avalon Dragons!

It's so close! You can follow the Avalon Dragons on this Livestream feed as we compete on August 28th and 29th at the IBCPC International Dragon Boat Festival in Aix-les-Bains, France. The Avalon Dragons are team #18.

The Countdown is on! In 25 days our Avalon Dragons team will be in France for the International Breast Cancer Paddlers’ Commission Participatory Dragon Boat Festival! We are so excited!

Paddle in Paradise at Octagon Pond is the scene for some thrilling dragon boat races. But what happens on land during this fun-filled festival? Well, there are dragons to awaken, moves to make, food to eat, prizes to win and people to meet! Lots of happy, sociable people! Thanks to Alick Tsui for these illuminating photos of activities on land. Our warmup was provided by the energetic instructors at Club Universal. Our food vendors this year were Ziggy's, Masker BBQ Pits and

Another successful Paddle in Paradise due in large part to the many volunteers who make it run smoothly, keep the paddlers safe and entertain us! We are so appreciative of your time and commitment and we love seeing your smiling faces in our festival photos!

Marshalling for the dragon boat races at the Paddle in Paradise Festival can generate butterflies, excitement and maybe some trepidation. But there's nothing like the exhilaration one feels upon completing a race and being saluted by fellow paddlers! Alick Tsui shows us all the emotions in these fabulous photos!

Here are the amazing photos of teams on Octagon Pond captured by Alick Tsui at the 2026 Paddle in Paradise Festival. We admire your spirit and enthusiasm! So many of you are new to this sport with perhaps only one practice under your belt. You all did amazing! Thank you for your participation - it means so much to us.

The Avalon Dragons join in a circle before heading out for a race between teams of all breast cancer survivors. After the race the boats head back to the dock where paddlers join in a ceremony to remember those we have lost to breast cancer, to support those who are still fighting and to celebrate all survivors. Carnations are waved in the air as the song Rolling River is played. They are then placed in the water by paddlers and family members. It is always a poignant and em

The Chinese Association of NL always delights the crowd at the Paddle in Paradise festival with their traditional dragon and lion dances. This year was no exception! Thank you for bringing your incredible energy to our festival every year. We appreciate the support and the entertainment! These photos were taken by Alick Tsui with a couple more from festival attendees.

In addition to the championship medals and awards for divisional races, the following awards were presented at the 2026 Paddle in Paradise Festival. Most Spirited Team: Mad Hatters (Family and Friends) Most Enthusiastic Drummer: Rennie So Top Fundraising Team: Marine Institute Surging Waves Top Fundraiser: Cindy from Club Universal Iron Dragons Most Spirited Team - Mad Hatters Most Enthusiastic Drummer - Rennie So Top Fundraising Team - MI Surging Waves Top Fundraiser - Cindy

Here are the results: Division A Gold: Avalon Dragons Heart Silver: Herricane Winds (Ottawa) Bronze: Rock Island Dragons Division B: TSL Physio Division C: Bev's Angels Division D: Travel with Marie and Todd/DFO Seahorses Check out our Race Results page for complete results. Avalon Dragons Heart Team - Gold Herricane Winds (Ottawa) - Silver Rock Island Dragons - Bronze TSL Physio - Division B - 1st Place Bev's Angels - Division C - 1st Place

What an amazing group of dragon boat teams at the Paddle in Paradise Festival this year! We appreciate your support so much! And we always look forward to Alick Tsui's team photos every year! Avalon Dragons - Heart Team Avalon Dragons - Soul Team Bev's Angels Club Universal - Iron Dragons Herricane Winds (Ottawa) Mad Hatters - Family and Friends Travel with Marie and Todd/DFO Seahorses Marlene's Mermaids Mighty Municipal Dragons - Town of Paradise Marine Institute - Surging W

In a thrilling final championship race, team Avalon Dragons Heart edged out Herricane Winds (Ottawa), the Rock Island Dragons and the Mad Hatters (Family & Friends) to win gold! A significant milestone in our team's history - for the first time the Avalon Dragons will appear on the Paddle in Paradise trophy! More results and photos to come!