Baltimore's annual Dragon Boat challenge serves as remedy for cancer survivors

BALTIMORE -- About two dozen dragon boat racing teams met at Port Covington Marina Saturday morning to put their skills to the test in the Baltimore Dragon Boat Club's annual challenge. 

"They were amazing. They dug deep, got the water it, splashed up, we hit waves," said Dragon Boat racer Jan Cairone, who competed in the challenge with her team the Philadelphia Flying Phoenix.

Teams from around the country and Maryland rallied for a fierce competition at the Baltimore Peninsula. 

"It's about working together as a team," said John Pezzulla, the President and Director/Co-founder of the Baltimore Dragon Boat Club. "There are 20 to 22 people on the boat, 20 paddlers, a drummer this year, and you basically paddle on one side."

Pezzulla told WJZ there were several races and a test of endurance for the competitors.

 "We have a 200-meter or 500-meter and 2,000-meter races; the 2,000-meter race is an endurance race," Pezzulla said. "So, you're going paddling continuously for about 10 to 12 minutes."

Baltimore and Annapolis Dragon Boat Club's member Barb Van De Castle told WJZ this challenge isn't new, but it could never beat the real challenge she has overcome in cancer.

"I was paddling with them for two years and then I developed breast cancer," Van De Castle said. 

De Castle learned from her career as a nurse, that the hobby she loves, the sport can help her and other breast cancer survivors.

"There has been research in Dragon Boating and breast cancer to increase the strength in women as well as decreased lymphedema," Van De Castle said.

The benefits can help inside and out, which is why many breast cancer survivors join Dragon Boat teams. 

"The importance of the social network is that breast cancer survivors paddle together since they're all in the same boat. So to say," said Van De Castle.