Wow!  What an amazing weekend!!

This festival was filled with talented athletes from all over Canada and the US.

Included in that talent were 19 breast cancer survivor (BCS) teams of all ages, shapes and stages of cancer journey.

It was a beautiful venue, with mountains as a backdrop.

I cannot express in words the feeling of support and camaraderie I experienced throughout the festival.  Hugs and tears with people I have never met before.  Strangers, and yet not strangers.  All of us breast cancer survivors, and yet unique in our own personal journeys.  No words need to be said, we all just know.  So many offerings of a smile and an instant connection.  It really is hard to express.

One of my highlights was listening to all of the chants and songs in the marshalling area as BCS teams were getting ready to race.  Each one unique and powerful in its own way.

Most amazing of all was the Flower Ceremony honoring Jane Frost, an original member of the very first BCS dragon boat team, and all the other souls who are no longer with us.  I was lucky enough to be part of the ceremony on the water.  Tears were definitely streaming.  It was a heartfelt momentous occasion to see teams from other boats reaching across and holding hands and embracing.  And of course, watching the flowers float across the water.   But after this touching ceremony, all of the BCS team members disembarking from the boats were met with a celebratory paddle arch eventually formed by hundreds of paddlers.  Truly a sight to see!!

My Team.  Teammates.  BCS Sisters.  Breast Friends.  How awesome is it to have the opportunity to get to know you better:  chats on the plane, in the airports, eating meals together, meeting family.  Who needs to win a race?  How does the chant go?….We’ve already won!

I can’t wait to do it again!

Paddles Up…..take it away!!!

Toni