Pink Champagne welcomes new members year-round. The best way to find out if it’s for you is to come along to a session — paddle with us, meet the crew, see how it feels. Your first three sessions are free, and there’s no commitment until you decide you want to stay.
Get to Hengistbury Head Outdoor Education Centre by 9:30am. Wear something you don't mind getting damp. We'll meet you, introduce you around, and run through the basics. Bring water, a small towel, and a sense of humour.
We'll lend you a buoyancy aid and a paddle. You'll get a quick safety briefing — boat etiquette, what to do if you fall in (which almost no one does), and how to hold the paddle so you don't whack the person in front. You'll be paired with an experienced member who'll be in the boat with you.
The session itself runs about ninety minutes. You'll paddle in a 20-person boat — twenty paddlers, a drummer at the front, a steerer at the back. The pace is steady; the crew sets it together. We'll teach you the stroke as we go. Most people find their rhythm within the first fifteen minutes.
Back ashore by midday. We hose down the boats, dry off, and (most Saturdays) head to a nearby café for tea, cake, and a proper chat. This is when you'll get a real sense of the crew — and we'll get a sense of you.
We welcome members at every stage, from those still finishing treatment to those many years past. We ask only that you’ve started primary treatment for breast cancer — beyond that, everyone finds their level. The pace is set by the crew, not by individuals.
Basic confidence in water is helpful, but you don’t need to be a strong swimmer. You’ll wear a buoyancy aid every time you’re on the boat, and dragon boats are very stable — capsizes are rare. We’ll talk you through the safety procedures before your first session.
Probably fitter than you think you are, but less fit than you might fear. Paddling for ninety minutes is real exercise, but it’s done in a crew of twenty — you’re never working alone, and the rhythm is steady. Most new members are surprised by how quickly they build up to it.
Many of our members have lymphoedema or are at risk. The research from Dr Don McKenzie in the 1990s — which started this whole movement — specifically showed that controlled paddling does not worsen lymphoedema and may help manage it. That said, we always recommend speaking to your medical team before starting any new exercise.
Saturday morning sessions year-round, with additional Monday evening sessions in summer. There’s no minimum attendance — some members come every week, others come when they can. Race crews train more intensively in the run-up to events; participation is optional.
Yes, we compete — at local regattas, national festivals, and international competitions. Racing is entirely optional. Many members never race; they paddle for the company and the exercise. Some members race competitively at international level. Both are welcome and valued.
For your first session, just yourself, water, a small towel, and clothes you don’t mind getting damp. We’ll lend you a buoyancy aid and a paddle. You don’t need any specialist kit. If you decide to stay, we can advise on what’s worth investing in.
That’s completely fine, and happens occasionally. We’ll cheer you off, wish you well, and you owe us nothing. Most people stay — but the three free sessions exist precisely so you can find out without pressure.
We're run entirely by volunteers — boat maintenance, event support, communications, social media. If you have a skill or some time to offer, we'd love to hear from you.
Walking, baking, running a marathon, hosting a quiz night — every fundraiser keeps the boats on the water. We'll help you set things up.
We work with local and regional sponsors who support our race entries, kit, and community work. If your organisation is interested, let's talk.
The next taster sessions can be booked through our contact form. Tell us a bit about you, and we’ll get back to you within a few days with the next available date.
