IBCPC Dragon Boat Festival, 2026
Event overview:
Name: 2026 IBCPC Participatory Dragon Boat Festival (International Breast Cancer Paddlers’ Commission)
Dates: August 24-30th, 2026
Location: Aix-les-Bains (on the shores of Lac du Bourget) with training events in Annecy, France
Purpose: A non-competitive, participatory gathering celebrating rehabilitation, strength, and solidarity for breast cancer survivor paddling teams from around the globe.
Scale: Brought together approximately 4,500 participants spanning over 320 teams across 25 countries.
Parade of Nations – a moment Pool of Life will never forget 💗
What an incredibly proud and emotional moment for Pool of Life at the IBCPC Dragon Boat Festival as teams from around the world came together for the spectacular Parade of Nations. 🌍
The whole Pool of Life team walked proudly together, representing Liverpool and the UK amongst thousands of breast cancer paddlers and survivors from across the globe. Seeing so many countries, flags and teams united by one shared experience was something truly special.
Leading the way was Pool of Life’s own Kerry who had the incredible honour of being the Flag Bearer for the United Kingdom. 
And making the occasion even more special was our wonderful June, one of Pool of Life’s eldest paddlers with the team in France proudly walking with the team banner as the ladies made their way through the parade 💗.
Every race at the IBCPC festival was a true team effort. From the moment we lined up at the start, it was about trust, timing and giving everything we had.
Every stroke, every call and every push to the finish line was done together. When it got tough, we dug deep for each other and kept that boat moving as one.
Whatever the result, we started together and finished together — with determination, pride and plenty of Pool of Life spirit.
Pool of Life, Breast Cancer Survivors’ Dragon Boat Team, 2026 IBCPC Participatory Dragon Boat Festival, France.
~ Kerry Kain-Owen
