How It All Began

  Dragon Boat racing began when Dr Don McKenzie, a sport medicine physician and an exercise physiologist, was conducting a research project at the Allan McGavin Sports Medicine Centre at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC.  This study looked at the cardio respiratory fitness levels in two groups of women - one group had been treated for breast cancer, the other group had no history of breast cancer.  The breast cancer group had many anecdotal stories about the "don'ts" they had been told after treatment.  Most of this advice restricted activities involving the upper body.  Though well intentioned, there was no published research that supported this information.  A desire to return these individuals to an unrestricted, active lifestyle, as well as the lack of scientific proof to the contrary, was the impetus behind Dr. McKenzie's idea to form this first, all breast cancer survivor's dragon boat team.

    Dragon boating was chosen as the venue for several reasons; it is a strenuous, repetitive upper body exercise; it provides an opportunity to work with a large group at one time; it provides a valuable training stimulus which results in a predictable improvement in fitness; it is an esthetically pleasing activity that is fun; Vancouver's Dragon Boat Festival is one of the world's largest and therefore, would visibly provide an excellent opportunity to reach a large number of people. 

Cajun Invasion Dragon Boat Team established in Lafayette, Louisiana

Cajun Invasion is operated exclusively for charitable purposes and was formed with the express purpose of educating, preventing, and counseling breast cancer survivors and their families. The program is an exhilarating one that takes practice, patience and teamwork. It is a unique and innovative method of education for all forms of cancer and especially for breast cancer survivors. Participation has been proven nationwide and internationally to increase education and to be a celebration of life, a message of hope and support for all members of the community, especially those whose lives have been touched by cancer. It is a way to become physically fit, a way to have fun, to develop community education support groups and new friendships. Cajun Invasion promotes education, physical and mental health needs in an effort to offset the ravages of living with or acquiring cancer.