Although the weatherman called for rain on June 18th (2025), Mother Nature stepped in and brought sun and waters on the Saugeen River that were as smooth as glass for the launch of Bernie’s Boat at Chesley St. docks in Southampton, a tribute to breast cancer survivors.
It was at times poignant and emotional but also uplifting as Saugeen Shores launched its own Bernie’s Dragon Boat with breast cancer survivors on board.
The survivors paddle for strength, connection, and fun and, through teamwork and determination, they celebrate life, support each other, and embrace the healing power of the water.
Organized and spearheaded by renowned local athlete and ‘force to be reckoned with’, Geordie Farrell, the grass roots initiative soon had sponsors clamouring to get on board.
Among the supporters as a Gold Sponsor was Southampton Rotary Club who donated $5,000.
Farrell said that a founding member of Bernie’s Boat in Saugeen Shores was Florence O’Neill.
“Unfortunately,” said Farrell, “Flo lost her battle with cancer and her seat in the boat will now officially be the Florence O’Neill seat, with her grandchildren commemorating it.”
While the Saugeen Shores’ boat itself holds 22 paddlers at a time, the list is now at 56 and growing.
“As we grow as a charitable organization, it is our plan to give back to breast cancer patients and survivors in Grey and Bruce Counties,” said Farrell. “The day you are diagnosed is the day you become a survivor. We are currently working with the Oncology Department at Brightshores hospital in Owen Sound and our local hospital to come up with a plan to support those afflicted with breast cancer. Our challenging work is just beginning.”
Among the guest speakers, Farrell introduced her Oncologist, Dr. Aboo, with Brightshores Health Care, who said that, “This is an exciting time. I have been working for 17 years in this field and things have progressed in a very dramatic and better way. I have patients in their 20s and in their 80s so there is no specific age group and we see cancer in all different stages, but we have seen progress in each and every stage. Patients are definitely living longer and we are curing more patients than ever before.”
He pointed out that there are now many treatments being used including immunotherapy and targeted therapy as well as the traditional radiation and chemotherapy. “There are many sub-types of cancer and they are treated differently. There is a lot of hope and this boat is an indication of patients’ success.”
Bernie’s Boat movement, is named after the woman, Bernie Schlauch, who started the Grey Bruce Dragon Boat Club (GBDBC), but who passed away from metastatic breast cancer before she was able to realize her dream of forming a boat of breast cancer survivors.
Members of GBDBC who attended the launch of Saugeen Shores’ boat explained the history behind Bernie’s Boat. “Bernie Schlauch was a vivacious personality with a passion and enthusiasm for life that endeared her to everyone. Seventeen years later, we are here to
celebrate Bernie’s big dream. She was a great friend and mentor and lost her battle to cancer in 2013 but her spirit lives on. Bernie loved ‘bling’ and she loved pearls so we all wear pearls. Bernie and Geordie share so many of the same qualities … grit, indomitable spirit, power of persuasion, strong work ethic, courage and a love of life. ”
In one year, Farrell and her team have created awareness, accessed financing, achieved charitable status, acquired coaching and safety certification, recruited paddlers, acquired equipment and a docking facility.
Rather than the traditional ‘passing of the torch’, GBDBC instead created a plaque that was presented to Farrell that reads …
“It’s hard to be beat a person who never gives up.”
Dragon Boating for Breast Cancer Survivors has now become an international movement that was inspired by the research of Canadian sports medicine specialist Don McKenzie. Survivors of breast cancer come together to paddle dragon boats for the benefit of their physical and social well-being.
In a movingly poignant moment, before the boat was launched, Bernie’s Boat paddlers, family, friends and others, moved to the shoreline to toss a flower on the waters in memory of loved ones while the song ‘Flower on the Water’ by Australian performer John Williamson played, bringing many to tears.
There is no cap to the number of people who may join so they are constantly welcoming additional breast cancer survivors and donors/sponsors.
No previous experience with dragon boat paddling is needed, nor is any athletic talent or muscle strength.
Bernie’s Boat is a registered member of the International Breast Cancer Paddling Commission (IBCPC) and Dragon Boat Canada (DBC).
