Since joining a dragon boat team in 2007, Maureen Larsen has seen firsthand how paddling down the Fraser River has improved her health, both mentally and physically.
Now, she wants to share these rewards with those who could benefit most.
Larsen is creating a dragon boat team for Stepping Stone Community Services Society, a non-profit organization helping people living with mental health issues, homelessness, or risk of homelessness.
Not only will the team provide a means of exercise and a social outings for their members — including Larsen, who works there full-time — it will also help spread public awareness about mental illness.
“It’s actually quite amazing because the breast cancer teams, visually impaired teams, transplant survivor dragon boat teams — they get a significant amount of attention,” Larsen said.
“So this is promoting mental health and mental illness. It’s providing another healthy activity for those living with mental illness, but it’s also meant to help alleviate some of the stigma related to it.”
Partnered with the Fort Langley Canoe Club — of which Larsen is also a member— the dragon boat team is open to anyone living with a mental illness, family members or employees in mental health services.
The Fort Langley Canoe Club is offering the group a six-week beginners program at a discounted price, and a coach and steers person from the club are volunteering their time to help out.
Lifejackets, paddles and boat usage are all included in the cost.
Larsen got the idea after hearing about the dragon boat team Conquering Waves.
Based out of False Creek in Vancouver, the group has spent a decade “challenging the stigma of mental illness” through dragon boating.
Among its many benefits, part of the draw of dragon boating is the need for teamwork, Larsen said.
“It is a team sport where everybody is equal. One paddler isn’t more important than another paddler,” she said.
“It also requires a certain amount of focus and working together (to) stay in sync.
It can be a lot of fun, is good exercise and being out in nature has been proven to be very therapeutic for our minds.”
Spaces on the team are still available. Practices begin April 5 and will run every Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. until May 10. For more information on joining the team, call 604-530-5033 (ask for Rhonda) or email dragon boat@sscss.org.