Page 39 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 152

www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #152 September 2025 39

Continued from page 38
to chance. Safety was paramount,
the racing was electrifying, and
emotions ran high during a touching
ceremony when cancer survivors—
many of whom were paddlers—
released bubbles in the sky.
Dragonboat racing is a high-
energy sport. For example, the
fastest boats that would have covered
the distance in approximately 50-
56 seconds, would have recorded
a speed of 14.4-13.09 km/h from
the start to the finish line, in
approximately 80 strokes. This is
amazing teamwork!
Photo by Pascal Maheu
Elias Raffy Nunay

For Elias Raffy Nunay, coach helm and even volunteered to coach of the International Breast Cancer to raise funds for the newly built
of Pinoy Floaters 1, and his group the team. The crew came in Heats Paddlers’ Commission. At midday 2400-square-foot space located
of young Filipino paddlers from 1 and 2, in an impressive 55.81 she made a touching cancer at 14 York Street. Its expanded
Cornwall and Alexandria, the race and 54.29 seconds. Ehrenfeld, a ceremony presentation alongside rehabilitation space will be a first-
was pure joy. The team describes Research Assistant at the River Mikel Billard, which ended up in an of-its-kind to assist with patient
itself this way: Institute, is passionate about interesting “Bubble release.” recovery and increase rehabilitation
everything related to water. The program options.
“Pinoy Floaters (Filipino- The cancer ceremony is
Pelagic Paddlers proudly define
Canadian Community of Cornwall themselves as: typically dedicated to all forms St. Joseph’s Continuing Care
and Surrounding Area) was created of cancer, not just breast. The Centre operates 150 Long-Term
to have fun—and win—in place of The Pelagic Paddlers (River team has a website: https://www. Care beds and 58 Complex
overtime. Every paddler is an active Institute) represent the St. Lawrence bustingoutottawa.ca/about-us. Continuing Care beds. The funds
member of the Filipino-Canadian River Institute. This team of All four of the teams were breast collected from this event will
community in Cornwall. They may biologists, researchers, and river cancer paddlers, and the list of go towards the purchase of new
be small and short, but they have a lovers is back to churn up water and Canadian teams can be found rehabilitation equipment for the
strong will to win. GO PINOY GO capture glory—a mix of seasoned here: https://www.ibcpc.com/ program. On the Waterfest site, they
racers and first-time paddlers, canada/. (International Breast sold colorful turquoise t-shirts, held
Emma Ehrenfeld
fueled by passion and pride. Cancer Paddlers’ Commission). a 50-50 draw, and a “drop the ball
Meanwhile, Emma Ehrenfeld, Alison Bridgewater St. Joseph Continuing Care Center game,” where you have a chance of
captain of the Pelagic Paddlers winning $2500. The draw will take
(River Institute team), brought six Alison Bridgewater is a member St. Joseph Continuing Care Centre place on September 15th.
years of paddling experience to the of Busting Out Ottawa, a Breast is joining the Cornwall Waterfest
Cancer paddler team, and a member More Dragon Boat Photos on [page 41