SADA (SA DRAGONS ABREAST)
SA Dragons Abreast (SADA) was established in December 2001 to provide support, hope and inspiration for breast cancer survivors in South Australia. We were founded by Carlene Butavicius, a member of BCNA (Breast Cancer Network of Australia), a woman with remarkable vision who played a key role in the formation of our club.
Dragon boat racing as a rehabilitation for breast cancer survivors was initiated in Canada by Professor Don MacKenzie in 1996. Strenuous upper body exercise can aid recovery after surgery and improve lymphatic function. Many of our founding and early members were survivors, and they continue to be the core of our club and an important part of our culture.
However, early on in the clubs development it became clear that the appeal of dragon boating was far-reaching, and SADA soon widened membership intake and grew to include a sports category.
More than ten years later, SADA is one of the most competitive dragon boat clubs in South Australia, and as well as competing at state level, has travelled throughout Australia and the world, including regattas in Queensland, Rome, Melbourne, Canberra, Cape Town, Penang and Hong Kong, winning many medals and trophies along the way.
SADA has an active membership of more than 50 paddlers, spanning Breast Cancer Survivors, Masters (40+) and Grand Masters (50+) categories. We take part in 10 and 20 crew races, at 200 metre, 250 metre, 500 metre and 2000 metre distances, as well as the annual West Lakes 'round-the-island' race (which from 2012 is named in honour of Peter Bristow, supporter and coach of SADA, well-known and a friend to all SA dragon boaters, and a distinguished member of the SA state team).
SADA is a member of the Breast Cancer Network of Australia (BCNA) and Dragon Boat SA (DBSA) under whose guidelines we compete along with twelve other affiliated clubs in South Australia.
Dragon boat racing as a rehabilitation for breast cancer survivors was initiated in Canada by Professor Don MacKenzie in 1996. Strenuous upper body exercise can aid recovery after surgery and improve lymphatic function. Many of our founding and early members were survivors, and they continue to be the core of our club and an important part of our culture.
However, early on in the clubs development it became clear that the appeal of dragon boating was far-reaching, and SADA soon widened membership intake and grew to include a sports category.
More than ten years later, SADA is one of the most competitive dragon boat clubs in South Australia, and as well as competing at state level, has travelled throughout Australia and the world, including regattas in Queensland, Rome, Melbourne, Canberra, Cape Town, Penang and Hong Kong, winning many medals and trophies along the way.
SADA has an active membership of more than 50 paddlers, spanning Breast Cancer Survivors, Masters (40+) and Grand Masters (50+) categories. We take part in 10 and 20 crew races, at 200 metre, 250 metre, 500 metre and 2000 metre distances, as well as the annual West Lakes 'round-the-island' race (which from 2012 is named in honour of Peter Bristow, supporter and coach of SADA, well-known and a friend to all SA dragon boaters, and a distinguished member of the SA state team).
SADA is a member of the Breast Cancer Network of Australia (BCNA) and Dragon Boat SA (DBSA) under whose guidelines we compete along with twelve other affiliated clubs in South Australia.
