TEAM SOS - Save Our Sisters Dragonboat Team

2010

Lake Parsippany, NJ - July 17, 2010 The first NJ BCS Scrimmage was held at the home of TeamSOS-NJ and brought together members of New Jersey's Breast Cancer Survivors teams. Paddlers from the Vikings in Atlantic City, the Machestic Dragons in Princeton and TeamSOS-NJ participated in a full day of 250m racing along with a lots of laughs and great camaraderie. Members from New York and Philadelphia's BCS teams were also on hand. Coach Ellen and members of the TeamSOS-NJ did a great job in putting this together.

Peterborough, Ontario, Canada - June 12 & 13, 2010 Traveling once again north of the border, the combined sister teams Machestic Dragons and TeamSOS-NJ headed to Peterborough, Ontario to participate in the International Dragon Boat Festival for Breast Cancer Survivors. This festival brought together teams from South Africa, Italy, England, Australia, New Zealand, Canada & the United States...

Mercer Lake, Princeton, NJ - June 6, 2010 Pathway's TeamSOS-NJ returns to Mercer Lake to race in the Machestic Dragon's 4th Annual Paddle for Pink Dragon Boat Festival. This event brought in 45 teams from 4 states. Our team had an outstanding day and came away scoring the second best time in the Women's 250m races. Another silver medal to our collection...

Washington, DC - May 15 & 16, 2010 Joining forces once again with our sister team the Machestic Dragons, along with 60 other teams, we participated in the 9th Annual DC Dragon Boat Festival on the Potomac. For the second year in a row, our team comes away with the Gold Medal in the 250m races. Sunday's grueling 500m races result in the Silver Medal. Congrats to all on our first win of the 2010 season. (See Video)

Lake Parsippany, NJ - April 12, 2010 Our 3rd season kicks off with more than 20 survivors showing up for our first practice. Lots of newbies and seasoned veterans had a great workout with Coach Ellen law. Joan, our steerperson found out the hard way that Dragon Boating is truly a water sport. We have 2 months to prepare this season's team for the International Breast Cancer Festival in Peterborough, Ontario.

2009
Mercer Lake, Princeton, NJ - September 19, 2009 The 3rd Annual Mercer County Dragon Boat Festival was host to 46 teams from the NJ/NY/PA/DC area. Pathway's TeamSOS-NJ with the help of a few paddlers from our partner teams Merrill Dragons/River Sirens/River Sisters raced in 3 - 200m heats and 2 - 400m races. We ended up the season having a grueling and challenging day loaded with a ton of laughs...

Flushing, NY - August 9, 2009 Returning to the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival for a second year and beating out seasoned veteran teams like Women in Canoe, HSBC Dragons and Con Edison Electric Dragons, TeamSOS-NJ advanced to the Women's 250m Invitational Finals. In spite of challenging wind conditions for our final race of the day, Pathway's TeamSOS-NJ was able to cross the finish line in a close third place. Just the fact that we were able to win against such fierce competitors and go to the finals made this a "winning day" for the team. Thanks to our fill-ins from Montreal and Baltimore. (See Video)

Montreal, Quebec - July 25 & 26, 2009 Teaming up with our sisters from the Baltimore Dragon Boat Club and the Schuylkill Dragons at the 14th Annual International Montreal Dragon Boat Festival, Pathway's TeamSOS-NJ wins its first International Gold Medal and Cup. Day One included two intense 500m races followed by a fun night on the town in Old Montreal. The next morning, we were back at the Olympic(76) Boat Basin for Day Two's races. As the rain began to pour and in a "photo-finish", Pathway's TeamSOS-NJ crossed the finish line first to win the Gold in the Division G Finals. (See Video)

Mercer Lake, Princeton, NJ - June 7, 2009 Pathway's TeamSOS-NJ once again returns to Mercer Lake to race in the Paddle for Pink Dragon Boat Festival. This third annual event brought in 48 teams from all over the Northeast. Paddling against the veteran teams from DC, Philadelphia, Princeton and Albany in the BCS Division, Pathway's TeamSOS-NJ with help from our sisters River Sirens, we ended up taking home a Bronze medal.

Lake Parsippany, NJ - June 6, 2009 Pathway's TeamSOS-NJ & Team Dragons once again participated in the Annual Lake Parsippany Open House Celebration. Mini races along with fun activities kept the crowd entertained. A solemn ceremony by Team SOS marked the remembrance of those who have lost the battle to cancer.

Washington, DC - May 16 & 17, 2009 Joining forces with our sister team the Machestic Dragons, we travel to the nation's capital to participate along with 60 other teams in the DC Dragon Boat Festival. Fighting river currents and strong head winds our team participated in 3 - 250m and 2 - 500m races. The result of our hard work and great spirit pays off with the winning of 2 Gold Medals!!! Congrats to all on our first win of the 2009 season.

Lake Parsippany, NJ - April 13 & 27, 2009 Our 2nd season kicked off with two terrific starts. More than 25 survivors and supporters turned out for our first and second practices of the season. The use of 2 dragon boats was required to handle influx of new members. Everyone came away from the practices smiling and excited about new upcoming season.

2008
Mercer Lake, Princeton, NJ - September 20, 2008 The 2nd Annual Mercer County Dragon Boat Festival was host to 28 teams from the NJ/NY/PA/DC area. Pathway's TeamSOS-NJ with the help of a few paddlers from our sister South Jersey club - River Sirens raced in 3 - 200m heats and 2 - 400m races. After a grueling day of racing, we came away with the satisfaction that we had finished 2nd in the BCS Division and 7th out 13 in the Women's Division.

Flushing, NY - August 2-3, 2008 Beijing may have hosted the 2008 Summer Olympics, but for New York it was the 18th annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival at Flushing Meadow Lake in Queens, near the site of the 1939 and 1964 World's Fairs. We teamed up with our sisters from Dragon Boat Charleston, SC and formed the "Jersey Belles". After competing in 2 - 500 meter and 3 - 250 meter races, we certainly got a taste of what true competition is all about. It was a great effort and time by all those who attended.

Ithaca, NY - July 12, 2008 Pathway's TeamSOS-NJ takes home the Gold Medal at the Finger Lakes International Dragon Boat Festival with the help of our sisters from the Machestic Dragons. We competed against the 7-year veteran team from Buffalo, New York - Hope Chest. Running with 4 fewer paddlers than our fierce competitor, Brennan of Team Dragons helped us finish with the following times: 250 meter Race 1: SOS 1:27.760 / Hope Chest 1:35.920 250 meter Race 2: SOS 1:27.340 / Hope Chest 1:41.850 500 meter Race 3: SOS 3:03.540 / Hope Chest 3:16.950 500 meter Race 4: SOS 3:11.290 / Hope Chest 3:29.400

Lake Parsippany, NJ - June 7, 2008 The team participated in the 75th Anniversary celebration of the Lake Parsippany Lake Association. There were mini races and a Breast Cancer Survivor ceremony. The team's efforts prompted front page coverage in the June 8 edition of the Daily Record!

Mercer Lake, Princeton, NJ - June 1, 2008 The Paddle for Pink Dragon Boat Festival was the first race for most of our crew. Paddling with Camden's Hope Floats, we finished 1st or 2nd in all our heats!

Lake Parsippany, NJ - May 2008 With the help of Pathways @ Connections in Summit, we have the core of our 1st Breast Cancer Survivor team. Coach Ellen runs the Monday practices and Barry our team steerperson handles the other practices!

Lake Parsippany, NJ - April 21, 2008 First TEAM PRACTICE...in a dragon boat!

Pathways, Summit, NJ - March, 2008 A glimpse of the team in the pool.