Submitted by Christina (Pink Dragonistas Hannover).
The third pink cup was again part of the “Drachenbootfestival Hannover”. For the 28th festival edition on Pentecost weekend, 11 BCS teams colored Lake Maschsee in downtown Hannover pink.
This year, we welcomed pink composite teams from different German clubs – some even experienced their first regatta ever. There was also a Go Europe team formed of paddlers from around Europe as well as our dear friends from Denmark, the Copenhagen Dragonboat Team, and Ireland, the Plurabelle Paddlers from Dublin. Pink paddlers from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Switzerland met on the water to celebrate life together!
On Friday night, all breast cancer paddlers met at the Courtyard Hotel by Mariott on the lakeshore to share fingerfood and a drink or two while reuniting or getting to know each other and to prepare for the 250m races. On Saturday night, we reunited for a sightseeing walk finishing in the old town for dinner.
The flower ceremony on Saturday was the most emotional moment. Twelve boats filled with pink paddlers floated near the shoreline while Germany´s oldest female hard rock band Rosy Vista played a song of remembrance for the paddlers in the boats, for those watching from heaven and for the many spectators. “Dragonboating is a way for us to take back our lives, to remind ourselves that we are strong and to find solace on the water.“ The lake was soon covered in pink flowers to remember our sisters and brothers who lost their lives to breast cancer.
All breast cancer teams set up their tents next to each other for the race days, united for warm-ups, dancing and singing and of course paddling. We met on the water for two timed races on Saturday and another one on Sunday morning to qualify for the pink A and B finals. Though some exciting races took place, winning was the least important thing this weekend. Every pink paddler was awarded a medal following the final races. We have deepened our pink friendships!
Following the award ceremony, where all teams were celebrated, and party on Sunday night, four breast cancer teams also took on the challenge of racing in the 2000m pursuit race: the Irish Plurabelle Paddlers, Go Europe and friends, the Pink Fusion Race Crew and the Pink Dragonistas met early on Monday morning and gave everything in 2 rounds on the beautiful lake. In our hearts, we keep many fond memories of a great weekend and hope for the pink paddling community to return in 2025.
