🐉 Machestic Dragons: Paddling for Power, Purpose & Pink!

Welcome to The Jersey Buzz Podcast, where we bring you the extraordinary stories of our community—and this one hits close to the heart, filled with courage, strength, and splashes of pink.

Meet Fran Gervasi, the newly appointed President of the Board of Trustees for the Machestic Dragons, New Jersey’s original dragon boat team. Her journey into the world of dragon boating reveals that this sport is more than just a race—it’s a floating support group and a celebration of life.

What is Dragon Boating?

If you've never seen a dragon boat race before, picture this: a 22-person boat shaped like a dragon, complete with a drummer at the front and a steerer at the back, cutting through the water in perfect rhythm.

The Machestic Dragons host their annual Paddle for Pink Festival every June (this year’s is June 14, 2024), featuring races, community team challenges, food, fun, and a mission to raise breast cancer awareness.

Not Just a Sport—It’s a Movement

What makes this team truly unique?  The majority of paddlers are breast cancer survivors.

Dragon boating for survivors began in 1996 as a study by Dr. Donald McKenzie to help reduce lymphedema. The results were astounding—not just physically, but emotionally and mentally as well.

“We call our team a floating support group,” Fran shared.
“Imagine putting 20 women who’ve gone through cancer treatment in a boat together.”

She also referenced a favorite paraphrase from Eleanor Roosevelt:
“You never know how strong a woman is until you put her in hot water.”

🌸 Flowers on the Water – Honoring Survivors

One of the most emotional moments of the festival is the Flowers on the Water Ceremony. Survivors paddle out in a circle, tossing carnations into the water in remembrance of loved ones and teammates who have passed.

It’s a celebration of life, a tribute to resilience, and a powerful reminder that no one paddles alone.

💞 Why They Paddle

Funds raised during the Paddle for Pink Festival are donated to local nonprofit organizations that provide free services to individuals undergoing breast cancer treatment.

The day is full of energy—with vendors, live music, food, and a silent auction featuring over 150 amazing items!

“Even if you're not racing, it's a great day out,” Fran said.
“Come see the dragons, cheer us on, and support the cause!”

Want to Get Involved?

There are so many ways to be part of this incredible community:

📧 Contact Info:
💌 info@machesticdragons.org
🌐 www.machesticdragons.org
📩 Or email Fran directly: machesticdragons@gmail.com

💬 Be sure to like, share, and comment to help this story spread. Let’s go viral—for all the right reasons.

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#FloatingSupportGroup #JerseyBuzzPodcast #SupportSurvivors #NJEvents #CommunityStrong #DragonBoatFestival #hyperlocalchannel  #hyperlocalmedia #voicefornewjersey  #voiceforcommunity