BUTTS IN A BOAT
DRAGON BOATING
Try out dragon boating with the “Butts in A Boat” dragon boat teams. If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, paddling with the “Butts” may be the best thing you can do to stay healthy and have fun!
ABOUT THE SPORT
Dragon boating is a team sport with 20 paddlers, a steersperson and a drummer, all working together to propel a long thin wooden boat. The sport requires some fitness, but it mostly requires precision in paddling. The beauty of the sport is in the synchrony of the stroke.
Dragon boating is a growing sport currently being considered for the next summer Olympics. But one doesn’t need to be an Olympic athlete to be a dragon boater. Paddlers can be almost any age and with any fitness level.
WHAT RESEARCHERS HAVE SAID ABOUT THE BUTTS IN A BOAT TEAM
The unique characteristics of dragon boating, defined by creating one stroke with 22 people, fostered trust and camaraderie amongst men facing common challenges. The findings support both physical and psychosocial benefits of dragon boating, however, positive impact on the men’s social and emotional well-being was emphasized in the data.
– Isabella Cina & Guy Faulkner PhD, Applied Pubic Health, School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia
WHO CAN TRY OUT THE SPORT WITH THE BUTTS CREW
Any man, who has ever been diagnosed with prostate cancer—whether they have been treated or not—is welcome to try out dragon boating with us any Tuesday evening from April 1st until mid-October. Assuming you are fit enough to exercise, just show up at one of our practices.
One needs no special equipment. Paddles and life vests are provided for us on the dock.
BUTTS IN A BOAT VANCOUVER
The Butts in a Boat Vancouver team is the first prostate cancer dragon boating team in the world. However, we're always looking for new teams to compete against. And we'll help you in any way we can to get your own team going!
Our Vancouver team meets once a week on Tuesday evenings. Practices start at 7 PM with a warming up on land along the north side of the Creekside Community Recreation Centre, 1 Athletes Way, Vancouver. We get in the boat at ~ 7:30PM and practice for about an hour on the False Creek. Beverages typically follow.
For more information, call or email us:
Vince | 604-551-7931 | vince.schiralli@gmail.com
BUTTS IN A BOAT MONCTON
Welcome to Butts in a Boat Moncton! Butts in a Boat Moncton represents those men who have suffered (or will suffer) the effects of prostate cancer, the leading cause of cancer among men in Canada. The goals of our team, which included prostate cancer patients and their support spouses and friends, was to bring greater public awareness of prostate cancer, and to demonstrate that people can recover from the disease and regain their physical abilities. It was also to have FUN!
2022 was the inaugural year for Butts in a Boat Moncton to participate in the Moncton Dragon Boating Festival. We had a cohort of 21 paddlers (one spare paddler!), and one drummer (who won the award or the best costume, a requirement for the festival). We purposely chose to have 10 women and 10 men paddling in each race, as many of the prostate cancer survivors were deeply supported by their spouses.
For more information, email us:
Blair | blairlawrence59@gmail.com