Announcing Pittsburgh Unity all cancer paddler dragon boat team

Everyone who signs up will receive information about Pittsburgh Unity’s free introductory dragon boat sessions where participants can discover the many health benefits the sport promotes. The team already has many active members who will share their cancer experiences along with offering lasting friendships and supportive bonds.

Enthusiastic team members are eager to say what this team has done for them: Paddler Dani says, “It’s not always about winning—it’s about the camaraderie. Dragon Boating brings together amazing people.” Paddler (and team steerer) Mary says, “My team lifted me up with prayer, meals, and love throughout my pancreatic cancer treatment.”

Launching Pittsburgh Unity happened through the hard work and inspiration of two Steel City Dragons coaches, Sonia “Crash” Rogers and Laura “Schmaak” Schatzkamer, who are also both longtime members of the Pink Steel breast cancer team. Crash and Schmaak discovered the growing worldwide all cancer dragon boat movement, and they were determined to bring it to Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh Unity is the newest of several teams operated by the Steel City Dragons community service dragon boat organization operating out of the Fox Chapel Yacht Club complex. The organization joined the breast cancer paddler movement in 2005 with Pink Steel, Pittsburgh’s first breast cancer team.

While the sport of dragon boat paddling goes back thousands of years, its connection with cancer has happened much more recently. In 1996, medical studies found that dragon boating offered significant health benefits for breast cancer paddlers, which spurred rapid growth of breast cancer teams. Additional studies confirmed even more health benefits and found additional emotional gains for paddlers resulting from the friendship and support of their teams.

Anyone is welcome to try this sport, no matter their fitness level, strength or expertise. The team accommodates all levels of competitive drive, from high-level competition to “just” fun and friendship. Participation is flexible enough to fit anyone’s schedule and medical treatment journey. Teammates never press each other to talk about cancer, but they are always ready to listen.

The team provides all equipment the paddlers need, including the boats, paddles, life jackets, and instruction. On-water sessions run from May through early October. A winter workout program is available in the team’s indoor training facility during the offseason.

The Steel City Dragons’ two boats are 46 feet long and have a carved dragon head and tail to resemble traditional Chinese boats from over 2000 years ago. A crew of 20 paddlers propels each boat while a drummer in front beats cadence and a steerer in back directs the boat with a long wooden steering oar.

The Steel City Dragons formed in 2002 when the Urban Redevelopment Authority brought the first dragon boats to Pittsburgh. This charitable organization has grown over the years and now has two boats and three teams, including the Steel City Mixed Dragons team of adult men and women, the Pink Steel breast cancer paddlers team, and the new Pittsburgh Unity all cancer paddlers team. These teams compete in four to six out-of-town dragon boat festivals every year and offer three practices a week on the Allegheny River. They provide training and support at their facilities within the Fox Chapel Yacht Club complex near Pittsburgh. The organization is a 501(c)(3) charity operated entirely by volunteers for the benefit of its participants and the community.