Paddlers in Pink (PIP) is a name every Singaporean should be proud of.

The Singapore Breast Cancer Foundation’s Paddlers in Pink won the inaugural International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) Cancer Survivors World Cup in 2011.

PIP is a reference to breast cancer survivors who use dragonboating to raise awareness of breast cancer and to showcase that cancer survivors can continue to lead healthy and active lives after being struck with the disease.

The first Dragon Boat team for breast cancer survivors was formed in Vancouver in 1996. Since then, many Breast Cancer Dragon Boat teams have been formed around the world, including Singapore.

Clifford Wong talks to the team's vice-captain, Chia Siang Pio, about the team's recent victory and breast cancer awareness.

Clifford Wong: Tell me about PIP and breast cancer awareness.

Chia Siang Pio: Our team is made up of women of all shapes and sizes and our fitness level can vary quite extensively given that we have members who are in their 60s on one hand and 20s on the other. But given the nature of the sport which involves only the upper body, any breast cancer survivor can give it a try.

CW: Why is it important to publicise awareness for breast cancer?

The importance can never be overstated.  Early detection saves lives, saves breasts. Breast cancer, if detected early, need not be a death sentence. It is now even more important to raise awareness not only among older women but younger women as well especially when we are seeing more and more younger women struck by the illness in recent years.

CW:  What kind of fitness is required?

CSP: You need to have muscle mass, endurance and stamina, especially for long-distance races. But in our context, we do not set a criterion in terms of physical fitness. Most of us were unfit when we first joined the team, but over time, our coach has been able to build up our strength and stamina.

CW: What are the benefits to being in the PIP?

CSP: It has been documented that dragonboating with its repetitive upper body movements, can help to prevent lymphadema (a lymphatic dysfunction condition which results in the accumulation of fluid) among breast cancer patients who have had their lymph nodes removed.

But beyond that, the sport strengthens our body and mind. At the same time, participating in such a team sport has helped us build a positive attitude and this can only help us in our fight with the big C. Beyond training and competitions, PIP has many get-together activities through the year, and this is why, we are able to build our special bond.

CW: What did your team do to prepare in the lead up for the World Cup?

CSP: We trained every Saturday morning through the year. Three months before the race, our coach added an additional weekday evening training on Thursday to prepare us for the KL race. Such regular intensive and physically draining training sessions as well as pep talks from our coach have only toughened us up, both physically and mentally.

CW: What was it like to win?

CSP: It was pure exuberance – all the more priceless as it was totally unexpected. We had to face teams whose level of competence was unknown to us. In addition, we knew we would be meeting traditionally strong teams from Ireland, Canada and Australia, whom we knew would tower over us. So, when we managed to somehow beat them all and emerge as overall champion, you could imagine the mixture of disbelief, ecstasy and triumph that we felt as we ran up the podium to receive the Championship Trophy. The way we win our races is symbolic of the way we want to win our fight against cancer. Although it has been some time, we are still talking about it.

Visit the BCF to find out more about breast cancer or write to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you’d like to join PIP, whether as a survivor or supporter.

For more info on Dragonboating, see www.sdba.org.sg

* Photos courtesy of the Breast Cancer Foundation