Move over, Wonder Woman – the WonderBroads are here

Windsor summers are marked by humid air, riverside concerts and dragon boat races on the Detroit River.

Many teams compete every year at the International Dragon Boat Festival, but one of those teams is unlike the others.

The WonderBroads is an internationally-competitive dragon boating team based in Windsor, made up of breast cancer survivors over 50 years old.

More than 40 Windsor women joined WonderBroads both to celebrate life and to stay healthy.

Sandi Shaust, vice-chairwoman of the WonderBroads, said the idea came from a doctor in Vancouver.

“Dr. Don McKenzie out in Vancouver did a research study to see if a sport like dragon boating would help breast cancer survivors,” said Shaust.

“It was so successful, teams started forming in Canada.”

Shaust said she believes dragon boating gives them confidence and a sense of accomplishment.

“Once you get through breast cancer, you’re like: ‘Wow, did I really get through that? Did I really do that?’” said Shaust.

“For some reason, that goes hand in hand with dragon boating…you just think: ‘Wow… I can beat this.’”

The team held a fundraiser Thursday, Dec. 7 for the upcoming season. Many of the attendees were friends and family.

More than 14 WonderBroads members have died so far, but the team pushes on. Arlene Thompson is the team drummer, who leads the paddlers through races through rhythmic drumming.

She has a front row seat, facing the rowers.

“You see an awful lot from my seat… people trying so hard,” said Thompson.

“[They give] 110 per cent…and we’re talking about women [mostly] between the ages of 50 and 70 [years-old].”

The team coach was Dave McWha, a certified coach with Dragon Boat Canada. Under his tutelage, the team placed 5th at the 2007 International Breast Cancer Paddlers Commission Festival in Caloundra, Australia. He died earlier this year.

Thompson maintains the team’s unity on the water is what keeps their timing “clean as a whistle.” She said it’s what brings them together.

“We are one. And you get this oneness that comes over, and you can’t help but feel connected,” said Thompson.

Shaust explained the team is serious about the sport and is not just a novelty team.

“We do very well, for a bunch of breast cancer survivors.”