Breast cancer survivor dragon boat club ‘Boobops' are flying to Melbourne next week, to compete in the Pink Paddle Power 2022 regatta.

The event is set out to raise awareness of the benefits of dragon boating for breast cancer survivors, and marks the first time the Bay of Plenty club will head overseas since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Boobops dragon boat racing team members, whose ages range from 39 to 80, will be departing to Melbourne on Friday, December 2, where they will race the following day for women in the same boat as they are.

Although the team of 23 is all smiles and dressed in pink for a good cause, coach Judith Butler says there is no shortage of competitive spirit ahead of the event.

'We are absolutely feeling competitive. We're the current national champions, everyone wants to beat us, but we haven't been able to compete for so long no one knows where everyone is at,” says Judith.

Judith adds it is 'very exciting” to be the only full New Zealand breast cancer survivor team heading to the regatta.

'Our numbers have doubled in the last couple of years, we're getting huge interest in the club.”

People who have experienced breast cancer often reach out to Boobops looking to both improve their health and bond with people who have a similar experience to their own.

Judith says the club first started out in 2003, and she has been part of the club since 2006 for the 'amazing comradery and sisterhood” that comes with the sport.

'You make friends you would never make here.”

She adds the team has been training 'multiple times per week” to gear up for the competition, and they are 'looking forward” to getting some quality time together.

'When we go away on these things we get to know everybody on a different level, we've got a meet and greet on the Friday night to go to. It's just a great opportunity to meet people who have had a similar experience to you.”

Previously, the Boobops team has been to Florence, Florida, and Caloundra. Judith says the team is very excited to be heading back overseas, and spend some 'good quality time” with fellow dragon boat racers, and celebrate the event.

People who are interested in the Boobops breast cancer survivor dragon boat club can get in touch by visiting their website, https://www.boobops.org/contact-us.