Organized in the spring of 2007, the River Sisters is a women’s dragon boat team for cancer survivors and caregivers. The team participates in two annual events: the Paddle for Pink Festival in Mercerville, NJ and the Philadelphia International Dragon Boat Festival.

The River Sisters’ mentors are members of the River Sirens, which raises money annually for the Cooper Cancer Institute. In exchange for organizing and mentoring a survivor/caregiver team, the River Sirens received a grant from the Cancer Institute to purchase their own dragon boat.

The team paddles in a boat named for Jeanne Carr, a member of the founding River Sirens team, who died of cancer in 2007. The boat is very long and narrow and has room for 20 paddlers, one steerer, and one drummer. The paddlers work together, matching their strokes to that of the person in front of them.

The River Sisters practice on the Cooper River Thursday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. beginning in May and ending in early October. The team is coached by Ellen Law, a member of the U.S. National Dragon Boat team. Law is program director for Dalian Aquatic Sports Development, NJ Dragon Boat Club officer, head coach for six NJ-based dragon boat teams, and event coordinator for the annual Paddle for Pink dragon boat event.

The fastest-growing sport in America, the dragon boat tradition is about 2,300 years old. It traces its roots to Qu Yuan, a Chinese poet and statesman whose death is traditionally commemorated on Duan Wu Festival, which is commonly known in English as the Dragon Boat Festival or Double Fifth (fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese traditional luni-solar calendar).

By reveling in the strength and perseverance of cancer survivors and caregivers, the River Sisters carry on the ancient tradition.

For more information, please contact River Sisters team captain Nancy Warren at 856-853-7174 or njw217@comcast.net.

Mission Statement : “The River Sirens/Sisters is a women’s dragon boat team dedicated to the continuing growth of our members’ minds, bodies and spirits.By building camaraderie in a respectful and supportive environment, we are able to increase our own physical fitness levels and spiritual well being.We welcome women of all ages, abilities and fitness levels and strive to encourage a passion for the ancient art of dragon boating.  By participating in community services, we are a supportive influence on cancer survivors in the South Jersey area.”