A group of breast-cancer survivors wants to paddle into history books by participating in Israel's first dragon boat festival this spring.

Not only is 2012 the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese calendar, it's also a water year in the calendar, an event that occurs once every 60 years.

This makes the Year of the Water Dragon an auspicious year for paddlers.

The Island Breaststrokers are a group of women dragon boat paddlers who are either undergoing, or have undergone, treatment for breast cancer.

The group's members range in age from 30 to more than 70. They paddle to improve their health and support one another.

"We were the second breast cancer team in British Columbia," said Pat Newbigging, vicepresident of the non-profit group.

"It used to be that experts thought that strenuous upperbody exercise wasn't appropriate for those undergoing breast-cancer treatment.

"The success of paddling as a form of exercise has helped dispel that misconception. Paddling keeps us healthier, stronger and better able to maintain our fitness."

The team trains year-round on the Gorge Waterway.

The paddlers' efforts have paid off in international competition. Since the team's formation in 1996, they've won gold twice in their category - and they hope to do so again this year.

"We go just for the memories, but we sure like to come home with the hardware," said Newbigging.

In May, the team plans to head to Israel to participate in the first-ever dragon boat festival in that country.

The event is expected to attract more than 40 teams from around the world, with eight of them exclusively crewed by breast-cancer survivors.

Their goal is to raise $30,000 to pay at least half the cost for each team member.

The team is hosting a fundraiser, a 10-course Chinese dinner and auction on Saturday to raise funds for the trip.

Tickets are $75 each. The event starts at 5: 30 p.m. at Don Mee's restaurant, 538 Fisgard St.

For more information, contact Newbigging at 778-425-2005 or go to islandbreaststrokers.com.

Meanwhile, volunteers from the Victoria Dragonboat Festival Society are selling Chinese New Year lanterns at various Fairway Market locations around Victoria on Saturday.

A donation of $3 for a red lantern will go toward cancer research at the B.C. Cancer Agency Vancouver Island.

The agency supports local dragon boat teams and community involvement in the region.

For more information or to donate, go to bccancerfoundation.com.

parrais@timescolonist.com