5 Minutes With… Manchester Dragoneers

11 July 2025 — jessica-bailey

We spoke with the Manchester Dragoneers, a dragon boating group and charity based in the north west of England, to learn more about their Saturday morning sessions open to anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis, as well as their loved ones and carers.

Tell us about your organisation? 

Manchester Dragoneers was founded in 2012 by Ann Johnson after a cancer diagnosis and a search for a support service with a difference. After finding Paddlers for Life in Windermere, Anne was inspired to set up Manchester Dragoneers. We are based in Dedbale Park, Manchester on a beautiful oasis of a reservoir not far from the city centre, making us accessible to members around Greater Manchester and surrounding areas.

Dragon Boats are large canoe-like boats with elaborately carved dragons heads and tails. The crew (of up to 20) sit in pairs, paddling in time while steered by the helm. It’s a great way to socialise and encourages a whole body workout. It is a great team sport and particularly good for anyone recovering from or living with breast cancer.

What services do you offer people living with cancer?

We meet every Saturday morning as a team to launch the boats. We are here for anyone navigating life after cancer, or living with secondary cancer and who are looking for ways to reclaim strength, confidence and a sense of community.

No experience is necessary. We support and guide everyone in the boats and then share tea and coffee afterwards along with some amazing home-made cakes by our members which you are welcome to join us for.

We are one of 400 dragon boat teams worldwide dedicated to breast cancer survivors. These special teams have developed as a result a pioneering study in 1995 by Dr Don McKenzie of the University of British Columbia who challenged the prevailing wisdom that exercise after cancer was risky with concerns in particular about possible lymphoedema. Dr McKenzie’s study demonstrated that strenuous upper body exercise could not only be safe but actually therapeutic.

Do you have a target demographic who use your services? 

We are here in particular for breast cancer survivors and those living with cancer, but anyone who has been through a cancer diagnosis is welcome, as well as friends and family. You must be 18 years old or over.

How are you funded?

Manchester Dragonneers is a charity to make dragon boating accessible to all. Our members work hard to fundraising with raffles, fashion shows, car boots, bake sales to name but a few and we are very grateful to our sponsors who have supported the team with equipment.

We do make a small charge of £6 per session and an annual fee of £15.

Has anything changed for your organisation since the pandemic?

No. All our activities are based outside, except for the tea and cake afterwards!

What’s the most rewarding thing about the work you do?

We have such amazing fun as a team and great friendships are forged. Social activities have developed, with theatre trips, cinema trips, 10 pin bowling, walks, weekends away… It’s great to have a sense of community with other people who may have shared a cancer similar journey with a common understanding. We laugh ( and sometimes cry) together, we get physically stronger and encourage each other in new adventures.

What would you say to those who are considering getting in touch with you but are nervous or apprehensive?

Don’t be!! Have a look at the website for more information and come along for a free taster session. Let us know that you are coming and we always ensure that there is someone waiting to welcome you and show you the ropes. We are a very friendly bunch!

Do you have testimonials from people that have used your services?

“My only regret is that I wish I had come along to Manchester Dragoneers sooner!!

In 2013, I was shocked to find a lump in my breast but was grateful to be diagnosed and treated quickly with a lumpectomy, chemo and radiotherapy. Thankfully I have remained cancer free but the treatment left its scars, with deep muscular tightness and pain on my left rib cage which meant I needed strong painkillers to get me through the night, as well as regular physiotherapy.

I joined Manchester Dragoneers ten years later and loved it immediately! It’s fabulous to be out in the fresh air every Saturday, enjoying the wildlife and nature around us whilst giving time to clear my head, reset myself and feel myself getting physically stronger. The stroke needed to push the paddle into the water is exactly what my body needed, stretching muscles that you don’t usually get to stretch, so much so that I am no longer taking painkillers and I am (almost) pain free.

The friendships in the group are amazing, we always have a laugh, and I have really enjoyed the adventures we have as a team, especially when I had the opportunity to race with Pink Royals with four other Manchester Dragoneers at the Barcelona International Festival in May 2025.

I would encourage everyone to come along and try it for yourself – there is so much to benefit from – physical strength and health, mental well-being, friendships, adventures, laughter, tea and cake…”

Who works for you?

We are entirely voluntary. It is a fabulous team where everyone can contribute in different ways, whether its as a trustee, a helm, launching the boats, training, fundraising, jetwashing the goose poo off the pontoon every Saturday, baking cakes, organising trips and many more roles!

What are the values of your organisation?

We are a supportive, friendly group who encourage everyone around us to enjoy life to the maximum!

And finally, can you describe your organisation in 3 words?

Strength, fun and friendship.

You can read more about Manchester Dragoneers by visiting their website www.manchesterdragoneers.com. If you’d like to find dragon boating groups (or any other cancer support service in your local area), please search on Cancer Care Map’s homepage using your postcode. It is always advisable to consult your cancer team or GP before making any lifestyle changes. Some exercise programmes may not be suitable alongside certain cancer treatments.