Team name: Flat Out (Breast Cancer Survivor)
Founded: 2019
Team type/Race division: Breast cancer paddler, competitive
Practice times: Sundays 12:30 – 2:30 pm – with additional year-round training options in Victoria, Nanaimo, and Cumberland
About the team: Vancouver Island boasts a rich network of breast cancer and all cancer survivor teams, and this program is designed to complement these teams by offering a part-time program to paddlers wishing to pursue competitive opportunities (in addition to paddling with their ‘home’ teams). In the program’s first year, Flat Out won bronze at the Canadian National Championships, qualifying for the Club Crew World Championships. Future years will continue to build on this initial success, competing nationally and internationally, as well as in other local festivals that don’t conflict with paddler commitments to their ‘home’ teams.
Racing at the 2025 Canadian Dragon Boat Championships, our Flat Out small boat team earned the title of ‘best in Canada’ and is now training to compete at the 2026 Club Crew World Championships in Taiwan, August 29 – September 6.
Coaches: Flat Out is led by a team of coaches who all have experience with the Canadian National Team program, including Tom Arnold, Mallorie Nicholson, and Andree St Denis.
Festivals attended: Flat Out trains to attend the Canadian National Championships every odd year to try and qualify for the Club Crew World Championships held every even year. Additional local, national, and international events may be included in the program as there is interest among participants.
Contact information: info@vipaddling.com
Sponsors: Rancho Vignola
Recruiting?: Yes – breast cancer paddlers of any age. No paddling experience required.
