Making A Splash

Mary Trafford (fourth paddler from the back, on the boat's right side) and her team at the Belleville Dragon Boat Festival in Ontario

I've been a dragon boat paddler since 1999. In itself, this is not unusual. Thousands of Canadians participate in this exciting sport. But I may be the only hemipelvectomy amputee dragon boater in Canada!

Hemipelvectomy and hip disarticulation amputations affect about one percent of all amputees. Hemipelvectomy means removal of the leg along with half the pelvis. Hip disarticulation means removal of the leg, up to and including the head of the femur, but not the entire hip joint. The pelvis usually remains intact.

I've adapted the sport of dragon boating to my needs. What is dragon boating? Picture a long, narrow vessel with 20 pairs of paddlers, a steersperson in the back, and a drummer up front setting the stroke. At its best, a dragon boat is pure poetry in motion. Paddlers stroke in unison, propelling the big boat smoothly over the water. In dragon boat circles, there's a saying that expresses it beautifully: Twenty-two hearts - one soul on fire. Just thinking about it gives me chills!

Most dragon boaters paddle for fun and fitness. The lively team spirit and excitement of competition are added attractions. Dragon boat race festivals are held every summer across Canada and around the world. Teams are made up of all kinds of people, from fun-loving, casual paddlers to highly competitive, world-class athletes.

In my case, we paddle to raise awareness about healthy living after breast cancer. I'm on a team called Busting Out; we're all breast cancer survivors. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998, the same year Ottawa Breast Cancer Action launched the team. I was facing surgery and an unknown future. All of a sudden, this boatload of gleeful women in pink shirts burst - or should I say busted - onto the local scene. When I saw them on the six o-clock news, I made a promise to myself. Next year, I vowed, I'm going to paddle with Busting Out. And I did!

It never occurred to me that my disability might be a limiting factor in dragon boating. Actually, it turned out to be a strength. Many years of crutch use (my chosen mode of ambulation) have given me excellent upper-body strength, balance and agility. In fact, I'm one of the stronger paddlers in the boat.

The dragon boat stroke demands a certain level of athleticism. You really have to reach forward into the stroke, stretching your arms and upper body, then pull back, using your core muscles and sitting straight up, before reaching for the next stroke. You need a solid base of support, which means your pelvis should be level and stable to allow you to move from your centre, tap into your core strength and maximize the power of your stroke.

Accessing and propelling a dragon boat does have its challenges for me. Because I don't have a right-side seat-bone, my sitting position is uneven. If I sit without support under my right butt, it's more difficult to be in balance and it puts a strain on my back. For day-to-day sitting, such as at the office or driving my car, I use a custom-made cushion. It's built up on the right side, giving me support to sit evenly and comfortably. I figured if I had something similar covered in non-slip material to fit the dragon-boat seat, I'd be in business. I was right. My dragon boat cushion is only six inches wide and 16 inches long, but it helps me paddle much better!

Getting into the boat is a challenge. With crutches, it's quite awkward to step down into the tippy boat, so I get down on my butt and slide in. Getting out is a bit harder. First, I hoist myself up and sit on the dock. Usually, there aren't any supports to grab, so I rely on my balance as I lift my crutches and stand up.

At festivals, docking arrangements vary and are sometimes tricky to negotiate. I contact organizers ahead of time to ask about the set-up. I often get in the boat first and get out last to avoid having to walk on a floating dock that is bouncing around because other people are on it. I take extra care when it's raining or wet. Docks and other shoreline areas can be slippery, so it's best to take it slow and easy.

Dragon boating is attracting more and more people with disabilities. The Ontario Trillium Foundation recommends it for people with visual, hearing and lower-limb disabilities. If you're curious, attend a festival this summer or visit www.PaddlesUp.ca/festivals.htm. Paddles up!

Mary Trafford is a freelance writer in Ottawa.