20 Year Anniversary

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 of 2008. Two objectives that were accomplished! And so many more over the past two decades. Our dragon boat community owes so much to those early leaders and it thrives today due to the hard work of its committed team members and incredible volunteers. We keep the memories of those sisters we have lost in our hearts, and we look forward to many more years of paddling, fitness, fun and friendship.