For October Rose, the Mantes Dragons Ladies are opening their world on Saturday, October 17th, from 2 PM to 6 PM, at the Patrick Forêt canoe-kayak base in Limay. This inspiring meeting will highlight women who have made dragon boating a powerful tool for rebuilding their lives after breast cancer.
Their paddles strike the water in unison. On the Seine, the Dragons Ladies move forward together, carried by the collective. All have faced, or are still facing, the challenge of breast cancer. Today, they have chosen sport, mutual aid, and self-transcendence to write a new chapter in their lives. Around Kathy, the group's leader, they meet every Saturday to paddle and share much more than a sporting activity. "The illness stays ashore. On board, we laugh a lot, we sing, we intensely live the moment. We are sisters in combat, we don't let go of each other," testifies Kathy.
Dragon boating, a canoe originating from Asia, has become an international symbol of resilience for women affected by breast cancer. Beyond its physical benefits, it helps reconnect with sports activity after treatment, strengthens physical condition, and aids in rehabilitating operated or irradiated areas.
Recognized as one of the most suitable physical activities after breast cancer, the first "Dragons Ladies" crews were born in the 1990s. This global movement now brings together thousands of women.
The Mantes Dragons Ladies are the only dragon boat crew in the Yvelines bringing together women affected by or in remission from breast cancer. Seventeen of them meet regularly on the water and have even participated in the Vogalonga in Venice, covering 32 kilometers.
The afternoon of discovery and well-being in Limay will feature dragon boat initiations, shiatsu workshops, auriculotherapy, wellness massages, discussions with a life coach, and storytelling and activities for the whole family. The event will also emphasize the importance of breast cancer screening and the benefits of adapted physical activity.
Practical information: Saturday, October 17th, from 2 PM to 6 PM, Patrick Forêt canoe-kayak base, chemin de l’île de Limay in Limay. Free admission.
