On Saturday, July 31st, members of the Kootenay Robusters Dragon Boat Team gathered at the site of their future home to accept a $10,000 cheque from Elyza Jantzen on behalf of the Heritage Credit Union (Community Investment Grant). The team received $5,000 from the Castlegar Branch and $5,000 from the Greenwood Branch. (Donna Durban of the Greenwood Branch was unable to attend). Over the past four years the Robusters have been working to secure a home base where a boat shed could be constructed to store their boats and equipment. For twenty years, the team has relied on Christina Lake residents to host paddlers, equipment and boats for practices that take place three times a week. Now, thanks to the the cooperation of the Regional District, BC Parks, the Ministry of Transport and immediate neighbours at Christina Lake, plans are proceeding. The boat shed will be located on an unused road allowance at the end of Lavalley Road, next to the Christina Lake Provincial Park. The project will be undertaken in two phases with site preparation and foundations completed this fall and the structure built in the spring of 2022. |  |
News and Events
Robuster Raffle - Draw on December 15,2021
 | This year's prizes includes all kinds of wonderful items like picnic supplies and gift certificates in a useful cooler. Donations are from local businesses, like Home Goods, who can always be counted on to support the Robusters. The always popular wreath of lottery tickets is a chance to win really big - and always seems popular with men. You can get your tickets from any member of the Robusters. Proceeds support our paddling program and our ongoing mission to raise awareness of breast cancer and the importance of early detection. Good luck on Dec. 15th! |
Progress on the Dragon Boat Den
 |  | Despite snow on the mountains around Christina Lake, work on the dragon boat den is proceeding with the site preparation and footings completed. Next step will be to pour the stem walls - as soon as the weather gods allow. After that, we'll wait for spring to begin the next phases of construction. At a recent meeting, the Robusters were excited to see the progress since our groundbreaking ceremony a couple of weeks ago. We are already making plans for paddling next season and are hoping to recruit some energetic new members for the team. |
Robuster Calendar for 2022
 | The latest edition of the popular Kootenay Paradise Calendar, published yearly by the Kootenay Robusters Dragon Boat Team, is now available in the usual outlets. The team uses the proceeds from the calendar to help fund its paddling program and other initiatives to raise awareness about breast cancer. Over the years, sales of this calendar have allowed the team to donate over $70,000.00 to local hospitals to help provide for the needs of patients undergoing cancer treatment. This year our focus will be building a Dragon Boat Den to house our boats and equipment on a piece of leased property at the south end of Christina Lake. We would like to thank all those who help us with this project by purchasing our calendars. |
Groundbreaking Day for Dragon's Den
 Otter and Kathy put their pink shovels to good use. | Kootenay Robusters’ Groundbreaking Day for the Dragonboat Den The Kootenay Robusters Dragon Boat Team gathered at Christina Lake on Wednesday, Oct. 20 to celebrate the end of a four and a half year quest to build a den for their dragon boat and its team. A small piece of road allowance at the end of Lavalley Road, just east of the public beach, is the perfect location and site preparation is now underway. The Robusters have received significant help from many businesses, government departments and individuals in the communities of Trail, Rossland, Castlegar, Christina Lake and Grand Forks. President Lorraine Bell-Lebedoff welcomed the group and commented, “We wanted a celebration to honor the participation of so many supporters from across the region.” Despite the wet weather those attending enjoyed hearing about the path that led to the start of this project and were also treated to a delicious picnic lunch. When the dragon boat den is finished, the team will permanently mount signage to recognize those who have provided significant assistance to make this dragon boat den a reality. As well, the team is grateful for the many supporters who buy Kootenay Paradise calendars every year to help keep the paddling program operating. The 2022 edition is already out in the usual outlets and is a reminder of the amazing region we live in. |
From Martial Arts to Dragon Boats
 | The Kootenay Robusters Dragon Boat Team (still going strong despite Covid 19) received a boost from Ignite Martial Arts recently. Chad Bullock, who owns Ignite studios in Castlegar and Trail, has always been a supporter of Breast Cancer Awareness month in October. Usually he donates the funds raised directly to the Breast Cancer Foundation but this year decided to keep the money local by providing it to the Robusters. Formed originally to support the mental, physical and emotional well being of breast cancer survivors, one of the team’s goals has always been to raise awareness of breast cancer and the ways to prevent it. The Robusters appreciate the support and encouragement of all those who donate to the team and buy our calendars and raffle tickets. We are currently fundraising to build a boat shed to give our dragon boat a home. Anu Dhillon, Lorraine Bell-Lebedoff and Denise Maier accept a donation of funds raised during Breast Cancer Awareness month from Chad Bullock, owner of Castlegar and Trail Ignite Martial Arts studios. |
Robuster Raffle for 2020
 | The Kootenay Robusters Dragon Boat Team recently drew three winning tickets for their annual raffle. Winner of the decor tray donated by Home Goods was Sasha Podovinikoff of Castlegar. Mary Hatlevik won the Robuster lottery ticket wreath and fellow Rosslander Jan Micklethwaite was the lucky winner of a lovely quilt created by Rae Salkeld. The Robusters would like to thank all those who supported the team by purchasing raffle tickets and calendars. We are hoping to make our new boathouse a reality this season. |
Survey for People Who Have Had Breast Cancer
Hello! My name is Jennifer Edgecombe. I am a graduate student at the University of British Columbia. I am conducting a study to explore the experience of managing breast cancer therapy side effects for individuals living in Interior British Columbia (BC). The Principal Investigator and Faculty Advisor of the study is Leslie Duran, Director of Rehabilitation Sciences Online Program. Eligible participants: Between 18 – 65 years of age Living in Interior BC Diagnosed with breast cancer in the past 6 months to 5 years Able to read and understand English Have a willingness to share your experience in a survey If the above describes you, please consider taking part in my study. You will complete a 15-minute survey and the results will be used to write a report that may be read by healthcare providers and management within Interior Health and the BC Cancer Agency. Here is the link to the survey https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eUOLuN25LQnKETP Questions? Please contact Jen Edgecombe at 250.318.1907 or jennifer.edgecombe@alumni.ubc.ca Please consider sharing this post. Please be aware that if you “like”, “comment” or “share” this post, you will be publicly identified with this study. |
Robuster Calendar for 2021
The new Robuster Calendar is now available for the same low price of $10.00 at all the usual outlets in our home towns of Christina Lake, Grand Forks, Rossland, Trail and Castlegar. We greatly appreciate the support of those who purchase a calendar and the help of local merchants who sell our calendars and collect the money. Our local photographers have outdone themselves with lovely pictures of the area in all seasons. This year's goal is to earn enough money to make a start on building the dragon boat a new den at the south end of Christina Lake in 2021. Call any Robuster on our contacts list from this site for help locating calendars in your area. |  |  |
Donation to KBRH Oncology
 | The Kootenay Robusters frequently support the oncology departments of area hospitals by donating money from their annual calendar sales. Pat Bruce and Bernice Barrass recently met with Lisa Pasin to make this year's donation, while safely distancing and modeling good mask wearing behavior. While the paddling season has been cancelled due to health and safety concerns, The Robusters would like to remind all supporters that our annual calendar will still be coming out in a few weeks. |
Covid 19 Can't Stop the Robusters
The Kootenay Robusters Dragon Boat Team has had to park their dragon boat for this season, because of the need for physical distancing. However, team members are still committed to supporting each other to maintain good physical, mental and emotional health. The Robusters are working out at home to maintain good muscle tone and individual kayaks have provided a way to get out on the water and keep up paddling skills while still having fun together. The Robusters would like to remind the community that their annual calendar will be available shortly and is essential to funding the paddling program, so that they can come back strong for their twentieth season in 2021. |  |  |