There has been a lot of progress since October, 2009, when Susan and Brigid hatched the idea of a new dragon boat team. Paula Rothenberg, President of The Wellness Community - Greater DC, gave her blessing to the team after Susan and Brigid signed on to walk with TWC's marathon team for Strides for Hope in New Orleans in February. They trained in snow and ice, in DC, but in New Orleans, the weather was grand. After the marathon, Susan became a leader of TWC's Walking Wednesdays, and recruiting began in earnest. Susan liaised with Kerri Bliss of the Baltimore Dragon Boat Club and organized the Snapdragons Poetry Competition to spread the word about the Snapdragons and the 9th Annual DC International Dragon Boat Festival. A jury of three awarded three prizes and an honorable mention selecting poems submitted from all over the USA. Again battling stormy weather, but with the full support of the DC Dragon Boat Club, the Snapdragons met the minimum requirement of 16 for a crew for the DC International Dragon Boat Festival. The rest will be history!
News Snaps
Snaps Debut
The Snapdragons had a glorious sunny day for their first races ever, at the 9th Annual DC International Dragon Boat Festival, May 15, at Thompson's Boat House in Georgetown. Amidst dancing dragons, banging drums, and burning incense, Chinese and DC dignitaries awakened the dragon before Paula Rothenberg, President of The Wellness Community of Greater DC, convened the Carnation Ceremony to commemorate those affected by breast cancer. Paula introduced Dave Winter, the NIH scientist who brought dragon boating to cancer survivors in the DC area, and Teresa Werth read her prize-winning poem, "Women I've Never Met." Four boats of survivors joined together at the dock to throw carnations into the water. Then the fun began. Pitted against two well established breast cancer survivor teams, the Snaps, even with 16 rather than 20 paddlers, showed that training and commitment can trump experience and numbers. With the support of our families, friends, and not least Club DC and The Wellness Community, the Snapdragons paddled hard and strong, improving our time with each race. Back at our tent we enjoyed ample refreshments and good company as Caroline and DeAntwan, the two youngest Snaps, played Scrabble and chess. Photos are by Amy Chen and Dan Joseph. For more Festival pictures, please visit Alice Lassiter's Picasa Album.
Susan and Brigid's new adventure
Wednesday, October 28, 2009 Susan and Brigid held a planning meeting to set strategies and goals for their new bcs dragon boat club Snapdragons DBC!
Great boon for Orlando; importance of exercise
Exercise is beneficial during treatment; new Orlando team scores big!