Founded in 2012 by Eddie and Ciara, we've been making waves ever since
Originally established to provide physical activity, mutual support and team building among people with direct experience of cancer, the club has always been open to anyone affected by cancer. We were set up specifically for people living with cancer or in remission and their supporters.
We are London's first (and only) cancer survivors (and friends & family of) dragon boat team.
Our ethos is to care for one another through encouragement and motivation - whether pushing ourselves to be able to paddle 20 strokes, participate in an event or simply sharing experiences and support with others who get us.
Being coached by dragon boating experts has given us the confidence to paddle forward together and we continue to inspire more to join us in doing the same.
We have been able to grow into a full team with lots of dedication, hard work and recruitment, along with support and donations. Since then, the team has gone from strength to strength - there has been some heartbreak along the way but the team continues because our aim is to always be there for the people who need us.
We are London's first (and only) cancer survivors (and friends & family of) dragon boat team.
Our ethos is to care for one another through encouragement and motivation - whether pushing ourselves to be able to paddle 20 strokes, participate in an event or simply sharing experiences and support with others who get us.
Being coached by dragon boating experts has given us the confidence to paddle forward together and we continue to inspire more to join us in doing the same.
We have been able to grow into a full team with lots of dedication, hard work and recruitment, along with support and donations. Since then, the team has gone from strength to strength - there has been some heartbreak along the way but the team continues because our aim is to always be there for the people who need us.
why the name wave walkers?
When we're out in the boat, no matter if we are total beginners, feeling our weakest or feeling our strongest, we walk the waves we paddle. And we paddle them together.
Plus, we're proud to have a name that reflects our mindset and attitudes towards recovery, getting fitter and stronger mentally and/or physically, and genuinely being able to do more in the boat than we ever dreamed possible.
It began slowly, and it was a few months before we started to go out as Wave Walkers and not gate crashers of the Raging Dragons or Windy Pandas teams. Initially there were only a few of us - able to paddle maybe twenty strokes before needing to rest. But we set ourselves a goal of taking part in the Vogalonga in Venice in June 2014. It is an annual event held originally in protest at the motorised boats in Venice. It now attracts people and their boats from all over the world. We trained for endurance and were extremely proud when we completed the course (over 40kms – including picking up and returning the boat) without incident! We were thrilled, in just over 18 months we had developed into a team that worked together, supported each other and didn’t need to stop for a rest after 20 strokes!
Plus, we're proud to have a name that reflects our mindset and attitudes towards recovery, getting fitter and stronger mentally and/or physically, and genuinely being able to do more in the boat than we ever dreamed possible.
It began slowly, and it was a few months before we started to go out as Wave Walkers and not gate crashers of the Raging Dragons or Windy Pandas teams. Initially there were only a few of us - able to paddle maybe twenty strokes before needing to rest. But we set ourselves a goal of taking part in the Vogalonga in Venice in June 2014. It is an annual event held originally in protest at the motorised boats in Venice. It now attracts people and their boats from all over the world. We trained for endurance and were extremely proud when we completed the course (over 40kms – including picking up and returning the boat) without incident! We were thrilled, in just over 18 months we had developed into a team that worked together, supported each other and didn’t need to stop for a rest after 20 strokes!
