Celebrating a decade of Nore Dragon Paddlers in Kilkenny
The group paddle on the Nore between the slip on Canal Walk and St Francis Bridge on Tuesday evenings and Saturday morning
The beat of the drums can often be heard up and down the banks of the River Nore as the dragon paddlers pass up and down the river.
It is a familiar sound to many, especially in the summer months, as people enjoy the outdoors. Inside these impressive boats are women, from all walks of life, who gather to take part in this activity. What unites them is a shared diagnosis – that of breast cancer.
The group paddle on the Nore between the slip on Canal Walk and St Francis Bridge on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings.
Nore Dragon Paddlers was founded in 2016 to provide a social outlet for women who live with a breast cancer diagnosis. Paddling is also shown to reduce and manage lymphodema, a life-long chronic condition that often affects people who have had surgery as part of their cancer treatment.
At 5am on Saturaday morning, to mark a decade of camaraderie and friendship at the club a sunrise paddle took place. The Kilkenny ladies were joined on the river by the Plurabelles Dragons (Dublin) and the Suir Dragon Paddlers (Clonmel).
"This year marks a great milestone for the Nore Dragon Paddlers as we celebrate our tenth anniversary. Our club has provided support, fitness and friendship for breast cancer survivors across Kilkenny and the surrounding counties. Together we have paddled through challenges, built unbreakable bonds and found immense strength on the water,” said founding member, Paula Fleming. If you are a breast cancer survivor and want to join contact [email protected]