History IBCPC

The IBCPC -International Breast Cancer Paddlers Commission

 As every Breast Cancer Paddler knows it was Dr. Don McKenzie, who started Breast Cancer Survivors dragon boat paddling.

1995: Vancouver, Canada, June

Don challenged the prevailing medical thinking that women treated for breast cancer should avoid rigorous upper body exercise for fear of developing lymphedema. His view was that exercise could help, not hinder women battling against breast cancer and lymphedema.

2001: First meeting

Meeting of interested BCS (Breast Cancer Survivors) to form an international body from Australia, Canada and USA in Toronto.

2002: BCS group establishes contact with IDBF

Contacted IDBF- International Dragon Boat Federation. Pink paddlers racing within IDBF system.

2003: Informal BCP(breast cancer paddlers) 

IDBF World Nations Championshipsm in Poznan, Poland.

2005: First Formal official races for BCS

IDBF World Nations Champs in Berlin, Germany.

2005: February, Vancouver

Meeting to discuss the Formation of an International body, the IPDBC (International Pink Dragon Boat Council) with Head quarters in Singapore. It was agreed that the First BCS champs would take place in 2006 in Singapore. They would organised by the Singapore Breast Cancer Foundation, supported by the IDBF. The Director was Angie Ong, assisted by John Edwards and Jason Chung. This event was a success despite the weather.

2007: The IDBF Proposal

IDBF proposed that the IPDBC forms part of them. During breast cancer crews Participatory Festival in Queensland, Australia on the 28th of September the Inaugural meeting of the IBCPC took place with 45 crews(clubs). Michelle Hanton was the 1st President and proposed:

1. The IBCPC's festivals would be inclusive and participatory.

2. For those who wish to compete, they could do so at the IDBF World Champs.

*From  Mike MacKeddie-Haslam, Dragon Sport news Magazine, March 2026