There’s something about the water. It reflects not only the sky—it reflects who we are. The lapping waves call to us—not just for adventure, but healing as well. It holds our past, our struggles, our triumphs. In its depths, stories are forged. With every surge of the paddle, every stroke, we create ripples, leaving pain behind and building strength.
And for the women of Abreast in a Boat, that call is more than just a whisper on the wind. It is a battle cry. A declaration … a testament to the unyielding spirit of survivors who refuse to be defined by their past. A proving ground. This is where they reclaim their bodies, their confidence, their power. Each time their paddles slice through the current, they defy a past beholden to silence them. They are more than survivors … they are warriors and the water is as much their sanctuary as their battleground.
The Genesis of Abreast in a Boat
In 1996, a ripple became a wave.
Dr. Don McKenzie, a sports medicine physician at the University of British Columbia, saw something the world had overlooked. Doctors warned breast cancer survivors to avoid strenuous upper-body activity, fearing it could trigger lymphedema.
A well-intentioned caution imposed limitations, a fence around lives that had already overcome numerous barriers. Dr. McKenzie didn’t just question this belief; he set out to prove it wrong.
He formed Abreast in a Boat, the world’s first all-breast cancer survivor dragon boat team. It was more than an experiment—it was a declaration. A challenge to every assumption about the capabilities of these women.
The results were undeniable. Not only did paddling not trigger lymphedema, but it strengthened their bodies. It built endurance. And perhaps most importantly, it created a sisterhood, a bond stronger than the fear that had isolated them.
For almost three decades, Abreast in a Boat has carried this spirit forward. What began in 1996 as a radical experiment—breast cancer survivors paddling together in defiance of medical caution—has exploded from a single team on False Creek in Vancouver into a global phenomenon.
Today, over 250 dragon boat teams worldwide rise and fall with the rhythm of the water, united by the same unbreakable spirit. They come from different cities, different walks of life, but on the water they are one. They move in perfect synchrony, not just as athletes, but as symbols of resilience.
Each stroke a message: We are still here. We are still strong.
Hope Floats: More Than a Boat
Some stories are too powerful to be told in words alone. They need something tangible—something that carries their weight, their meaning. That is what Hope Floats has become.
Hope Floats is not just a boat. It’s a vessel of courage, a lifeline for those who refuse to let their past define their future. Its inclusive design—longer, wider, and more stable—allows more paddlers from all backgrounds to join the journey. For over two decades, it has cut through the water, its sleek frame gliding forward under the strength of those who refuse to stand still.
But even legends need maintenance.
However, carrying this legacy for over two decades, Hope Floats has felt the wear of time. It had become far more than a dragon boat; it was a symbol we couldn’t allow to fade. Time has a way of leaving its mark. Years of battles on the water had taken their toll. Cracks spidered across the surface, the once-pristine gelcoat chipped and worn. The very structure that had carried so many warriors was weakening.
That’s when Abreast in a Boat turned to us at West Bay Shipyards. This was not merely a project; it was a solemn obligation. A duty to honor what this boat had meant to so many and ensure that it will continue its journey. This is so much more than a restoration—it is a revival.
This is the story of Hope Floats and its transformation.
Setting the Stage: A Journey of Restoration
Restoring a vessel like Hope Floats is not just about repairs. It demands respect. Every stage of this process requires patience, precision, and a deep understanding of what this boat means to the women who paddle it. The work had to be done right, and it had to be done with heart.
Week 1: The Arrival of a Legacy
The day Hope Floats arrived, it came like a relic of a hard-fought history. Perched on a 56-foot trailer, its presence was undeniable. This was no ordinary boat. This was something sacred.
At first glance, the years had not been kind. Spider cracks riddled the hull, and the gelcoat chipped away like flakes of old parchment. Beneath the surface, the damage ran deeper—rotted foot holds, sagging beams, the unmistakable weight of time crushing the vessel.
We stood around the boat in silence, knowing what had to be done. This wasn’t just about sanding and painting. It was about honoring the journey this vessel had taken
and preparing it for the journeys yet to come.
This first week would be about understanding. Every crack told a story. Every faded patch of paint spoke of years on the water, of sun and salt and perseverance. However, an accurate assessment of the situation was crucial before any repairs could begin. We took detailed notes, mapped out every weak point, and laid the foundation for the weeks ahead.
The plan was set. Now, it was time to begin the real work.
Week 2: Stripping Back the Years
Restoration is an act of patience. It begins with undoing, with peeling away layers of the past to find the strength that still lies beneath. We had to strip away the remnants of time. This week was about cleansing—removing what was old, what was failing, what could no longer carry the weight of the vessel’s purpose.
First, we lowered Hope Floats into the river, marking its waterline—an essential guide for every restoration choice to account for balance and efficiency. Then came the pressure washing—a powerful stream stripping away years of grime, revealing the scars of time. Every inch of the boat was assessed, decals removed, surfaces sanded, and imperfections revealed.
Each scrap of sandpaper
was a step backward through history, undoing the damage of time to prepare for the future. Spider cracks, burn-through spots, inconsistencies in the hull—each cataloged and addressed. Fairing the hull was meticulous work, every imperfection smoothed for efficiency, for grace, for speed.
Every scrape and scratch told a story. And with each repair, we ensured the story will continue.
Week 3: Strengthening the Spirit
With the past stripped away, it was time to rebuild. This was where the real transformation took place. Here the scars would be mended, the weaknesses fortified.
Below the waterline, we applied a gray epoxy finish, polished it to a smooth frictionless surface. Performance matters. A boat isn’t just about looking good—it’s about how it moves, how it responds to the paddlers who rely on it. The goal—sleek movement through the waves.
Above the waterline, the boat was reborn. Precision tape work gave way to the application of Cloud White Awlgrip, a finish crisp and clean, a rebirth in color. A fresh start for a vessel with many miles still ahead.
Inside, the work was delicate but no less intense. Old repairs tested, incompatible paint removed, and structural integrity reinforced. The sagging composite beam weakened over time, strengthened and reinforced. Rotted foot holds, once crumbling, cut away and rebuilt. And because safety matters as much as performance, we added a non-skid flooring to the paint mixture—the warriors who paddle this boat deserve stability underfoot. A crucial addition to ensure safety for the paddlers who step onto this deck, some in their 70s and 80s.
Every brushstroke, every cut, every application of paint was done with one goal in mind: to ensure Hope Floats was stronger than ever before. There’s no room for compromise with a vessel like this. It must be strong. It must endure. It must carry the weight of its legacy forward.
Week 4: The Grand Reveal
After weeks of relentless work, Hope Floats emerged renewed. It was no longer a boat marred by time—it was a statement. A symbol reborn. Its hull gleamed in the light, its structure reinforced and ready.
After weeks of tireless devotion, it was time for the final test. Hope Floats was lowered into the water once more—not as the tired, worn vessel that had first arrived, but as something new. The structural reinforcements held firm. Fighting back tears of joy, we pulled it from the caressing waves. The job was almost done, but we hadn’t finished … not yet.
With the final Abreast in a Boat and Hope Floats decals applied, Hope Floats stood ready to return home.
The launch was more than just a test of buoyancy. It was a celebration, a recognition of what this boat had carried and what it will continue to carry: the spirit of those who refuse to be defined by the battles they have fought. Those who rise, again and again, to the rhythm of the paddle. A tribute and a promise that this boat will carry its warriors forward for years to come.
At West Bay Shipyards, we have restored countless vessels. But some jobs are more than just projects. Some are a privilege. Restoring Hope Floats was one of those.
Now, she is ready. Ready to glide across the water once more. Ready to be a beacon for those who refuse to give in. Ready to carry the weight of hope itself.
Because hope does more than float.
It endures.
A Labor of Love
This restoration was never just about sanding and painting. It was a labor of love—for the cause, for the women who fight every day, for the legacy of Abreast in a Boat. Every brush stroke, every reinforced beam, every polish of the hull was done with respect for what this boat represents.
Hope Floats is more than fiberglass, wood, and paint. It’s a vessel of strength, of unity, of resilience. It carries not just paddlers, but stories—of survival, of perseverance, of triumph. And knowing that we played even a small role in its journey is an honor that will stay with us forever.
To the paddlers of Abreast in a Boat, we salute you. May your strokes be strong, your waters smooth, and your hope—always—float.
We are honored to have played a role in Hope Floats’ journey, knowing she will continue to carry the strength, resilience, and unwavering spirit of those who paddle her. Through the incredible mission of Abreast In A Boat, she will remain a symbol of courage and community, inspiring future survivors and reminding the world that hope is not just something we hold onto—it moves, it carries, it endures.