About Us

Executive 2023

We welcome new paddlers – survivors and supporters alike. No experience necessary – we will teach you to paddle.

• President - Margaret Hinchliff
• Vice President - Vacant
• Secretary - Pat Nicholls
• Treasurer - Liz Burdeniuk
• Past President - Janet Ferns

Directors

• Susan Cawsey
• Gaye Clapperton 
• Linda Fraser
• Heather King

Many thanks to our previous coaches, Audrey Spiller and Ramona Delaney, for your innovative, dedicated coaching. 

To our steerspersons, Byril Kurtz and Kevin Clapperton, whose support and dedication were always welcome, a huge ‘Thank you’. The same goes for our Dragon Boat Drummer, Mel Gotell and other volunteers, whose drumming and encouragement was appreciated at all times, but especially during races.

If you are interested in joining the Shuswap Dragon Boat Society, either as a Paddling Team Member or Friend of the Boat, please email us at friendsabreast@gmail.com.  

Team Bio

Our Friends Abreast Dragon Boat team formed in 2002. We were the first dragon boat team on the Shuswap. Our team is made up of breast cancer survivors and supporters.

We participate in dragon boat festivals in B.C. We support the Canadian Cancer Society.

Our team members have also participated in other related activities such as Relay for Life and Curl for Cancer.  Unfortunately, these events are no longer active in our Salmon Arm community. Our goal is to support breast cancer survivors, promote health and wellness and create awareness of breast cancer in our communities.

Team Song!

Our team song that adds power to our practice sessions - please click here to view 

The video below shows the basic paddle techniques.  It is worth the watch if you are new to dragon boating or need a refresher.  

Shuswap Dragon Boat Society Safety Guidelines

These guidelines have been developed for the Shuswap Dragon Boat Society (SDBS) for use on Shuswap Lake, however, they are also applicable to any lake or river where the SDBS (Friends Abreast) team is on the water.