Dragons Abreast Central Coast

22/03/2026

A few more snaps from the Marine Rescue Tuggerah Lakes Open Day 💙

Such a great day all round — plenty of people through, lots of chats, and a real community feel on the lake.

Our Dragons Abreast Central Coast (DACC) crew did an amazing job on the stand, sharing what we’re all about and getting people involved (including a few future paddlers in the making 👀🚣‍♀️).

We were there alongside our wider club Central Coast Dragon Boat Club (CCDBC), which made for a great shared setup and atmosphere across the whole compound.

Loved seeing the gratitude post from Marine Rescue Tuggerah Lakes as well (attached as last pic) — a great reflection of the day and the community behind it.

Thanks again to Marine Rescue Tuggerah Lakes volunteers for putting on such a fantastic event — and for everything you do on the water.

21/03/2026

DACC crew, Janice & Annie manning the stand at the Marine Rescue Tuggerah Lakes Open Day 💙

Great to be out chatting with the community and sharing what we do.

Bonus surprise spotting Anne Marie from Bunnings — who's here doing face painting! 🎨

21/03/2026

Our wider club Central Coast Dragon Boat Club are here with us today — come down, have a wander and check out both crews at Marine Rescue Tuggerah Lakes

20/03/2026

Friday nights don’t get much better than this 💙🐉

Budgewoi Lake delivered — glassy water, no wind, warm skies and a cracking sunset to finish.

We had 19 on the boat with a great combined crew from Dragons Abreast Central Coast and Central Coast Dragon Boat Club — strong paddling and great energy all round

🙏 Thanks to Janice for coaching,
🚣‍♀️ Annie O & Jane on strokes,
🧭 Alison & Di on sweep.

Great to have our Central Coast Dragon Boat Club crew onboard — Michael (rocking the hot pink), Janice, Allyce, Suzie & Jenny — and a warm welcome to Natalie from Dragons Abreast Canberra.

This is why we paddle

19/03/2026

Sharing this beautiful reset retreat in Bonny Hills by Life Force Cancer Foundation 🌿

Flamin' Dragons Port Macquarie Dragons Abreast Newcastle Hunter Dragons Abreast Coffs Coast
💗🐉

Women’s Cancer Support Retreat – Mid North Coast
Life Force invites you to a nurturing one-day retreat designed especially for women living with cancer or adjusting after treatment.
This supportive care program offers a safe space to pause, reflect, and connect with others who understand. Guided by experienced staff, the day will include:
Gentle yoga for resilience
Guided meditation
Healing touch with essential oils
Time for sharing and support in a small, caring group
Open to women who are medically stable, whether currently in treatment or navigating life after cancer.
Take a day for yourself — to breathe, restore, and find strength in community. To register your interest please email lifeforceportmac@gmail.com or message me below if you would like further information. Priority will be given to those who have not attended previously but all are welcome to apply! There is NO COST for this event. We thank St Agnes' Catholic Parish for the kind donation of the use of Francis Retreat - THANK YOU!!

13/03/2026

🌭🐉 Sausage Sizzle Today! 🐉🌭

Come down to Bunnings Lake Haven today and grab a sausage sandwich while supporting Dragons Abreast Central Coast.

Our team is cooking up the classic Bunnings sausage sizzle, so swing by, say hello, and help support our dragon boat club.

It’s always a great day filled with community spirit, plenty of sausages, and lots of laughs, and we’re grateful to everyone who stops by for a snag and supports the team.

A big shout out to our amazing volunteers and paddlers who give up their time to help run these fundraisers — we couldn’t do it without you.

Funds raised go back into supporting the club, helping our paddlers with equipment, training, travel and participation in regattas, and keeping our dragon boat community strong.

Bring your friends, bring your family, and grab a snag for a great cause! 🌭💗🐉

13/03/2026

Pink Ink Australia is a wonderful Australian charity supporting breast cancer survivors.

Pink Ink helps fund mastectomy and scar tattoos for people who have had breast cancer.

For some survivors this might mean 3D ni**le tattooing after reconstruction, and for others it can be beautiful artwork that transforms mastectomy scars into something meaningful.

It’s a powerful way for some people to reclaim their body and their story after treatment.

If this is something that might interest you or someone you know, have a look at the post below to learn more about how to apply.

11/03/2026

💙 March is Lymphoedema Awareness Month

Our local lymphoedema specialist Kate Perkins speaking on ABC Radio Central Coast about lymphatic health, and it’s highly relevant for many in our paddling community.

Lymphoedema can develop when the lymphatic system is damaged, often after cancer treatments such as surgery, lymph node removal, chemotherapy or radiation. When lymph nodes are removed or affected, fluid can build up and cause swelling.

Many people come through cancer treatment only to find they are dealing with secondary conditions like lymphoedema, which can impact movement, strength and quality of life if it isn’t recognised early.

One of Kate’s key messages was the importance of early detection and early intervention.

Tools such as L-Dex / SOZO measurements can detect lymphatic changes before visible swelling appears, allowing treatment and management to begin earlier and helping prevent symptoms from progressing.

Kate also discussed therapies used in cancer rehabilitation, including non-invasive MLS laser therapy, which works at a cellular level to help the lymphatic system function more effectively.

For breast cancer survivors especially, movement and exercise play an important role in lymphatic health — something our dragon boat community understands well.

Paddling builds strength, mobility and confidence, and many women around the world have found dragon boating to be a powerful part of recovery and ongoing health after breast cancer. 🐉🛶

🎧 If you'd like to listen to Kate’s segment:
https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/centralcoast-breakfast/breakfast/106403494

On the ABC player the timer counts down (time remaining):
▶️ Kate’s interview starts at about 1:53 remaining
⏹️ and finishes around 1:41 remaining.

A great local discussion helping raise awareness of an issue that touches many in the breast cancer and paddling communities.





💙🐉🛶

🎧 Listen to Kate’s recent segment on ABC Radio Central Coast.

Last Thursday, Kate spoke about the importance of lymphatic health as part of Lymphoedema Awareness Month this March.
In the interview, Kate discusses why early detection and coordinated care are so important for people living with, or at risk of, lymphoedema, and how greater awareness among both patients and clinicians can help improve long-term health outcomes.

📻 Listen to the segment here:
https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/centralcoast-breakfast/breakfast/106403494

⏱ Kate’s segment starts at 1:35:45. The episode is available to listen to online until Thursday.

11/03/2026

🦴💪 Dragon Boat Racing: A Great Way to Lay Down Better Bones

We loved this from Dr Vonda Wright:

“Let’s bash these bones.
Need to jump.
Not just walk up stairs — pound up the stairs.”

Because research shows the mechanical impact of pounding your bones translates into biochemical feedback to bones.

And as she says, our body goes “Oh, a lot is expected of us.
Let’s lay down better bones.”

That’s exactly why dragon boat racing is such a powerful activity for women.

Every paddle stroke loads the body — legs, core, spine, shoulders and arms — creating the same kind of mechanical force that stimulates bones to adapt and strengthen.

Our bodies have already handled plenty of trauma.
But this is the good kind of trauma — the kind that tells the body to rebuild, adapt and get stronger.
The kind that helps us lay down better bone.

🐉 Paddle hard
🦴 Lay down better bones
💪 Get stronger together

09/03/2026

We paddle together to lift the boat, and we help lift each other through recovery

07/03/2026

International Women’s Day – March 8

At Dragons Abreast Central Coast we don’t just talk about strong women — we paddle with them.

Our crew is made up of women who have faced breast cancer, surgery, treatment, fear and everything that comes with it… and then decided to get back in the boat and keep living life.

International Women's Day is about recognising the achievements of women and the strength that comes from women supporting each other.

That’s what you see in our boat.

• Women supporting women
• Resilience
• Strength through community
• Recovery and empowerment
• Friendship and solidarity

No speeches.
No slogans.

Just women showing up for each other and getting on with life.

💜🐉