Paradise City Dragon Boat is a racing team of cancer survivors and supporters from all across Western Massachusetts. We cultivate strength of mind, body, and spirit through exercise both on and off the water, while fostering camaraderie and lasting bonds within our team. There isn't much in life that can't be solved in the dragon boat, and our members have discovered a vital community of support, uplifting one another to face and conquer any challenge together.

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The team was founded by Betsy Powell in 2016, and grew in strength of numbers, determination, and heart each year. In 2024, Betsy passed the coaching baton to team members Allison Rebello, Rachel Levey, and Karen Pleasant who continue to build on her strong foundation with support from many others within the team. Paradise City has sent paddlers to train and compete up and down the East Coast, as well as internationally from as close as Canada to as far as New Zealand.

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The Paradise City Dragons paddle on the Connecticut River from May through September, and then train on land together in the off-season. The team also comes together to organize fundraising events and other outreach to share the joy and power of this sport with the community. Empowering people of all ages, especially those affected by cancer, to discover healing and strength for both body and mind through dragon boating is a central mission and a profound point of pride for the team.

 

Paradise City Dragon Boat is setting ambitious goals for the future and will continue to “Bring It” on and off the water in the years to come.