Hundreds turned out at Octagon Pond to cheer on 26 Dragon Boat teams made up of cancer survivors and supporters of the cause for the 9th annual Paddle in Paradise.

The Avalon Dragons, a group made up of breast cancer survivors organized the event.

Alice Mannion, the Avalon Dragons Festival Coordinator, says it’s all about building personal strength and forming connections with other survivors.

Each of the team members have had a diagnosis of breast cancer. They started paddling for their health and she says, because they are literally all in the same boat, they know that being active will keep them around longer.

Proceeds raised yesterday will help support the team and expand the paddle sport to other survivors across the province.

Each 40 foot Dragon Boat costs about $15,000, and are shipped in from Germany. There were six Dragon Boats in total in yesterday’s event.