KUCHING: Paddling with purpose, the Pink Challengers Dragon Boat Club proved that strength knows no limits as the all-survivor team took on multiple categories at the Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta (SIDBR) 2025.
The Putrajaya-based club, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, consists entirely of breast cancer survivors who have turned dragon boating into both a sport and a form of empowerment.
Led by club president Debbie Wong, 57, a two-time breast cancer survivor, and vice president Chin Wan Ling, 58, the team competed in several categories including the International Cancer Survivors Open, Masters Open, Premier Mixed, and two Premier Women’s teams.
“Pink Challengers has been here in Malaysia for 20 years. Our team started in 2005, made up entirely of breast cancer survivors,”
“Because there is actually research done by Dr Don McKenzie, which showed that the repetitive upper-body movement helps prevent lymphedema post surgery,” said Wong when met at the Kuching Waterfront today (Oct 25).
Additionally, Wong said the team’s paddlers range from their 40s to their late 70s, each one embracing the sport with passion and perseverance.
“Most of us have undergone surgeries, so training has its challenges. We have to be careful about which side we sit on depending on where our operation was done. But we are survivors, nothing is going to stop us,” she said.
Wong shared that Kuching holds a special place in the hearts of the Pink Challengers, who have been competing here for over a decade.
“Kuching is one of our favourite places to race. We come here not only to support the organiser but also because the local regatta is one of the best. The food is great, the people are friendly, and the waterfront is beautiful — minus the monitor lizards,” she added jokingly.
Beyond competition, the Pink Challengers have also played a mentoring role in supporting the formation of the Pink Warriors, Sarawak’s own breast cancer survivor dragon boat team.
“In Malaysia, there are only two breast cancer survivor dragon boat teams, Pink Challengers in West Malaysia and Pink Warriors in Sarawak.
“We helped them form the team around 2003 and continue to support and encourage them to grow. They’re doing their best to reach out to more survivors here, and we’re happy to stand by them,”she said.
