story by dj telfer photo by scott turner

THE MAN

Qu Yuan was born to an aristocratic family in the State of Chu nearly 2,400 years ago. He is one of ancient China's most revered poets and philosophers. Although he could have anticipated a life of privilege and comfort, Yuan was a patriot and an advocate for reform. He believed wise and able people should be appointed to govern, and even rulers should be governed by law. For this and other social beliefs, his rivals plotted against him and the king banished him from Chu. While in exile, Yuan began articulating his passion for his country and its people through poetry and prose. Presenting a style that was fresh and innovative, he created deeply expressive writings. His poem "Li Sao" (Encountering Sorrows) is described as "the most imposing long Iyric poem in ancient Chinese literature". But Yuan's despair only deepened when the army of Qin invaded his beloved Chu and his country fell under the ironfisted rule of a new dynasty. For Yuan, all hope was lost. Disheartened and dismayed but ever defiant, he protested the new regime by leaping into the Mi Lo River.

THE LEGEND

It is said that local fishermen who witnessed Yuan's plunge into the river immediately raced out in their boats to save him, but they were too late. He was gone. To prevent his body from being eaten by the fish, the men beat the waters with their paddles and threw zang-ze (steamed rice wrapped in reed leaf) into the river as both a sacrifice for Yuan and a distraction for the fish.

Qu Yuan's life ended that day in the Mi Lo River, but the legend of the Dragon Boats was born. From then on, each year on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar, Qu Yuan is honoured and his legend revived with a reenactment of that fateful day. Interestingly, the fifth month had aHrays been considered a time of danger. It was a time of the year when everyone would take special measures to ward off evil spirits. Venturing out into the river during this time required certain precautions, and because the ancient Chinese believed they were descendants of dragons, fishermen would adorn their boats with dragon designs and offer zung-ze to appease and keep at bay the dragons of the river.

THE DRAGON BOATS FOR THE CURE

Today, Dragon Boat racing has become a tradition celebrated in over 40 countries around the world. There are many reasons why people race Dragon Boats: to honour legend; for sport and entertainment; for strength and conditioning. But this year's event on the Detroit River will be a very special experience. It's a race with a purpose and for a cause that i5 as worthy and as noble as the ancient Chinese hero it honours. This year, the Dragon Boats are returning to Windsor for the first annual French Dressing Jeans~A7ear International Dragon Boats for the Cure.

On July 19th and 20th, once again the people will loose their dragons and beat the waters....not to chase away the fish but to carry on a fight for survival, for research and care; and for the hope of drawing ever nearer to a cure for breast cancer.

"The whole focus is on breast cancer and breast cancer survivors," says Ted Boomer, the race organizer and long time force behind the wildly successful Annual Bluesfest International. "It will be totally a fund raising festival. The entire budget has been covered by our sole sponsor, French Dressing Jeanswears, and our goal is to raise enough money to purchase a digital mammography machine for our Cancer Centre."

The Montreal based women's apparel manufacturer, French Dressing, sells to 2,400 retailers across North America. The company has long been associated with the fight against breast cancer. It donates 50 cents for each garment it sells, and has contributed over $1 million toward breast cancer research and patient care. "They were looking to stage a signature event to further raise public awareness in the fight against breast cancer," explains Boomer. "During last year~s Bluesfest we brought a few of the sponsors for a cruise down the river - they loved it - and picked Windsor as the perfect site for the event."

With French Dressing already being a sponsor of the Bluesfest International and knowing well how successful that event has been, it was probably more than coincidental that the company approached Windsor's own event organizing dragon, Ted Boomer, to help bring even greater success to this important cause. "They came tO U5 and asked us to draw up a budget...then they just basically signed the cheque," says Boomer. Of all the logistics and preparations, phone calls and canvassing, organizing and planning that has gone into staging this event, Ted says getting the needed financial support from French Dressing was "the easiest part"'

It's also no coincidence that the Dragon Boat races are the same weekend as the Bluesfest, and will actually take place on the water in front of the Festival Plaza. "The events are definitely connected," declares Boomer. "It just made the most sense to put them together. Breast Cancer Survivor Day is all day SaturdaY along wich the Kidsfesc.

"The Wonder Broads (Windsor's Dragon Boat team) and all the participating survivor teams will be attending, and some will be singing and speaking on stage at the Bluesfest Saturday night. The corporate and public fundraising races are Sunday, and with Grammy winning blues each night, there will be wonderful family entertainment downtown all weekend."

Ted points out that the festivities kick off Friday night with a traditional Chinese ceremony called "dotting the i".... a ritual which he explains is steeped in Chinese culture and is performed to officially begin the race.

THE TEAMS

There are 39 breast cancer survivor (BCS) teams across the country. Windsor now has two teams. With 21 crew members to a boat (not counting the steersman), this translates to at least 850 survivors in Canada from all backgrounds, of all ages, racing down rivers in "the world's longest canoes".

How many BCS teams will be here in July is still unclear, but unlike the group or corporate fun day for a good cause, this is not a once a year commitment for these dedicated survivors. They train for two or three months before the season opens and they race in a number of events throughout the summer. The training, traveling and the racing can be demanding but they all know that the benefits far outweigh the difficulties. Renowned British Columbia physiologist Dr. Don Mckenzie has long studied the affects of exercise in breast cancer rehabilitation. He's called "Mr. Dragon Boat" because he's found so many positive results in those survivors who participate in Dragon Boat racing. It might not yet be out on video, but the Dragon Boat workout is fast becoming a mainstream treatment for breast cancer patients. And it's not all physical benefits. Dr. Mckenzie recognizes that for many people who endure this struggle, it's just as important to heal the mind and spirit as well as the bodY He realizes it's a process which too many have tried to do on their own, when the best thing seems for survivors to be together and be able to support one another. As Dragon Boat crew members, breast cancer survivors have a wonderful opportunity to share a camaraderie on a level few teams will ever know. They bond not just as a team but as individuals who have shared life experiences. Certainly they like to compete, enjoy the thrills of the race and want to w in. But it's the support from others who can truly say, "I've been there," and iL's for personal pride and dignity that they race. Above all, they are determined to be proactive in their own recovery and survival. They race for themselves, for each other, and for those who will benefit from the struggles of the past.

THE BOATS

In early spring, when the water is still choppy and frigidly cold, the sleek profile of a dragon can be seen moving on the waters of the Detroit River. With flared nostrils and colourful scales along her flanks, she stretches over 15 metres head to tail. Gliding along effortlessly, she seems purposeful and intent on her course. Her name is "Maggie's Wings". She is a Dragon Boat, and as her paddles catch glints of sunlight they flash like wings. She appears to be flying just above the water.

Dragon Boats are at once imposing and graceful but they are also expensive, says Ted Boomer. "These boats cost around $45,000, and then there's insurance, storage, and the costs of transporting the boat to events. It's difficult for these teams to be able to buy their own boats. Many rent or lease, and this can place limitations on finances as well as the time available for training and exercise." Ted confides that the Windsor team was fortunate to receive a substantial donation for the purchase of Maggie's Wings from an anonymous donor who had suffered a personal loss to cancer. The boat is named in honour of this lost individual. "Without that donation, the crew members probably would still not have their own boat," Ted says, adding that a local sailing club has generously provided storage and docking privileges for Maggie's Wings. He also predicted that Windsor's second BCS team could have its own boat as early as next year if the fundraising continues to be successful. For this year's event, Ted says that six Dragon Boats have been rented from Toronto. Together with transportation costs and professional steersmen for each boat, the cost is around $40,000.

DRAW FOR THE CURE

Another of French Dressing's initiatives for this year's event is the Draw for the Cure, which is both an incentive and a reward for those BCS teams which come to this year's race in Windsor. All participating breast cancer survival teams will be automatically entered into a draw for four chances of sharing in what organizers hope will be a significant pot of cash. It is an opportunity for teams to be able to bring always needed money back home for their own cancer centres and hospitals. They don't have to win a race to win a cash prize! Currently there's ten grand in that pot, and room for more!

THE SPIRIT

For 2,400 years, many ordinary and extraordinary people have embraced the dragon...and set out in their boats in the spirit of Qu Yuan's long remembered struggles. From his death, people found inspiration. So it is only fitting that legendary Dragon Boats will again serve in a desperate race for life. As it was in ancient times, so it is today: it's the survivors who carry on. The survivors of breast cancer are finding inspiration in their own struggles and in the realization that they are not alone. Saturday, July 19th will be Breast Cancer Survivor Day. It will be a celebration of strength and determination; of faith and hope and of the enduring human spirit that ever rises up to champion the cause, even in the face of tragedy. The Dragon Boats will again take to the Detroit River, but the people will do more than beat the waters and give offerings; they will raise both money and awareness for a vital cause, and what's more, everyone there is going to smile and laugh and have a good time! WL

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