Paddle in Paradise event raises $45K

Hundreds of people gathered in Paradise on Saturday for the fourth annual Avalon Dragons' SunSplash Paddle in Paradise.

Close to 30corporate and community groups competed in the event, which raised$45,000.

The Town of Paradise took goldwhile Team Broken Earth won silver and the CBC Wave Catchers took bronze.

With proceeds going to supportbreast cancer survivors, Avalon Dragon Boat Organizer Nancy Bennett said everyone at the event was a winner.

"I really recommend it to people who want to get involved in a sport that is very forgiving but yet really keeps you fit and happy," said Bennett.

In particular, the sport is recommended for breast cancer survivors as a kind of physicalactivity that can help with weight loss and prevent recurrence of the cancer, while also preventing lymphedema, a swelling in the arms that some patients experience aftersurgery.

The moneyraised at the SunSplash Paddlewill support breast cancer survivors in several ways, includingstrengthening the Dragon Boating facility on Octagon Pond used by the Avalon Dragons, a team made up entirelyof breast cancer survivors.