Taranaki Dragons

Happy Father's Day to every kind of dad from all of us at Taranaki Dragons...including Mums that are dads, Fur dads and the most important ..dads of dragons🐲😉

PLEASE HELP!!!💙💙💙 TED IS MISSING😭

Our precious wee mascot Ted is missing..he was last seen in the Kiwi Pinks: New Zealand Dragon Boat Team IBCPC France 2026 tent in Aix-Les-Bain, France, before the team went off race during the IBCPC Participatory Dragon Boat Festival...when they returned, they realised he had gone. We think someone must have helped him, as his pink wings don't actually work (not that he realizes this🤫) and his paddle gets in the way when he tries to walk, but we love him none the less🥰

He's very friendly, but very quiet, kinda cute and a member of our team we just can't do without..his paddling technique needs some work, he's usually late to trainings ( if he turns up at all) and his input into committee meetings is limited, but his ability to help boost team morale is unquestionable💙

We would dearly love to get Ted back to Taranaki and be reunited with his paddling family, hes not been alone in the big wide world before and is probably very scared..Or,..... hes been planning this adventure for months on the QT and is living it up in some swanky 5 star retreat somewhere in the South of France with some dragon mates, having the time of his life😳😂 whichever the case may be, please, please share our post near and far to try and help us get Ted home🤞💙

This is Ted👇

The IBCPC Participatory Dragon Boat Festival 2026 has officially come to an end. It had it all..beautiful sunshine, over 4500 amazing athletes from all around the world, not such beautiful winds, race cancellations, camaraderie, friendships old and new, 1000mtr race included in the mix, a moving and emotional flower ceremony, a very special closing ceremony and a festival filled with resilience and hope....
Every 4 years, this festival brings together some of the fiercest paddlers within the dragon boat community..never to be underestimated and showing the world that there can be an active, vibrant life after a breast cancer diagnosis. And, it's not just any sporting event...within our specific niche, the International Breast Cancer Paddlers Commission (IBCPC) festival represents the largest global gathering of its kind, serving as a massive international display of health, recovery, and sisterhood.

A huge congratulations to every paddler who attended the festival, it looked an amazing event to be part of..(we know some of our Taranaki Pinks that stayed home had severe FOMO).
To the Kiwi teams that flew the NZ flag, you were all incredible, but a special mention to our own Taranaki Dragon 'Pinks' and the Kiwi Pinks: team...wow! We are all so darn proud of you!
Kathleen, Yo, Karen and Denise were with you every step of the way, carried in your hearts and memories. They would've been smiling for sure and Yo was probably shouting a bit too😏. Seeing Yos paddle (seen here on the right) out there in the stroke seat in the very safe hands of Caroline, was a wee bit of an emotional moment...she wouldve loved that🌈

Heare pai atu, hoki pai mai..
Safe travels ladies (and gents), wherever your travels are taking you next. We'll see you back in the Naki soon...we can't wait to hear all about it💙

Congratulations Kiwi Pinks: New Zealand Dragon Boat Team IBCPC France 2026 what an awesome result after a challenging day..it had a lot going on...collisions, another team capsizing and then the wind...good to see focus and determination won on the day and you were able to come over that finish line strong, all the while doing it with less than a full boat compared to the other teams💪..good luck in the turns race, it's going to be exciting😁 We're so proud of you all 💗

Mauri Mahi, Mauri Ora: Do the work, get the treats!
Kiwi Pinks 200m RESULTS: 39th out of 176 teams. Stoked with this result achieved in a 17 paddler “full boat”. Our paddlers put in the work and we are incredibly proud of that. Change in program; 1000m turn race tomorrow: bring it on!

Awesome!!
What a fantastic effort from everyone involved - Bravo á tous!...looking forward to the racing🥰

So disappointing for the organisers, volunteers and especially our pink paddling sisters over in France😔. Fingers crossed they are able to bring the regatta site back into shape, the weather plays ball and they can get racing started on Saturday🤞

Bonjour tout le monde!🇨🇵

These 4 lovely ladies, our very own Wahine Toa and members of our Taranaki Pinks team, are gearing up to take part in one of the biggest sporting events on earth!!
Around 4,500 breast cancer survivor paddlers from around the globe, are coming together in Aix-Le -Bain, France, for the IBCPC Participatory Dragon Boat Festival 2026.
Tere, Caroline, Valda and Sharon have joined forces with other kiwis paddlers from Waikato Treasure Chests Dragon Boat Club, Manawa Dragons, Simply the Breast Dragon Boat Team, Marlborough, NZ and Pegasus Dragons to become Kiwi Pinks: New Zealand Dragon Boat Team IBCPC France 2026.

Bonne chance, mesdames!.. we know you will paddle with everything you have got in true Taranaki Dragon style!!...you've trained hard over the last few months, now it's time to enjoy every moment of this amazing festival..We can't wait to cheer you on from The Naki! 💗🐲
And just remember..even though they may have gained their wings before they had the chance of coming with you, Yo and Karen will be right there with you🦋🌈 💗

Geneva to Aix-les-Bains
It’s called 1st class. So many people, so much luggage. Everyone is going to Aix les Bains.
No room for luggage, so the train’s isle is the only place to leave it.
Ted preferred to stay sleeping in my backpack.

After more than 2 years of planning, the Taranaki Kiwi Pinks are excited to finally be arriving in Aix les Bains today.
We are grateful for the support and encouragement of many, including
Taranaki Dragons, Karen Scott, Otaikokako Waka Ama Taranaki, New Plymouth Central Women’s Institute, Stumble Inn, Yo’s Family & Friends, Elizabeth Mary Grant (Mitty), Cheese Bar, Waikato Treasure Chests Dragon Boat Club.
We carry in our hearts those Taranaki Dragons who had planned to be on this journey with us.

The Heartbeat of the IBCPC Festival: Joy, Passion, and a Homecoming in France - International Dragon Boat Federation The IBCPC Participatory Festival is a global celebration of resilience, connection, and life after breast cancer, bringing thousands of paddlers together every four years. The 2026 Festival in Aix‑les‑Bains, France will be the largest ever, uniting teams from around the world in a powerful displ...