Who We Are
Dragon Boating, a sport that originated in China over 2000 years ago, is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Twenty paddlers sit two abreast in colorful 48-foot vessels while paddling to the beat of a drummer, the heartbeat of the dragon. View the trailer of award winning film, Awaken the Dragon to learn more about the origin of Dragon Boat Charleston.
Dragon Boat Charleston (DBC) is made up of about 150 members in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. Some are cancer-survivors, some are community paddlers, some are premiere racers and some like to watch the sunset on the Ashley River. There is a boat for everyone at DBC! DBC participates in 4-5 races per year, has off-season programs like yoga and nutrition classes and numerous social and recreational gatherings throughout the year. Some call it a “floating support group,” some call it a family. Whatever it is…it’s fun! You’ve got to check it out!
Our Mission
We promote the physical and mental health of cancer survivors and their community through dragon boating.
Our History
DBC has been paddling hard since 2003 with the mission of promoting physical and mental wellness among cancer survivors and their community. DBC members can be seen almost any day of the week on the river, preparing for upcoming races, pushing themselves to physical limits or enjoying the sunset while on a paddling break.
Our Founders

Cindy Carter

Louise Graff

Noreen Powers

Sterling Hannah
DBC GOALS
- Nourish the mind, body and spirit through healthy living with year-round, club-based fitness activities such as dragon boating, winter fitness challenges, nutritional counseling and fellowship.
- Provide a resource for our community demonstrating courage, determination and group cooperation by being a positive role model through survivor outreach as well as providing community education about the benefits of nutrition and exercise for cancer prevention, treatment and survivorship.
- Advance the sport of dragon boating by providing competitive and non-competitive dragon boat opportunities to club members and the community, and promote the inclusion of all cancer survivor teams in dragon boat festivals.
- Advance awareness of the Dragon Boat Charleston model by demonstrating the beneficial effects of our mission on survivorship through community partnerships and collaboration with medical providers.
Our Organization
DBC Board of Directors
Susan Collins, President
Lucy Spears, Vice President
Kelly Hood, Treasurer
Mariane Stefano, Secretary
Cindy Carter, Founder
Dick Evans, Member-at-Large
Louise Graff, Founder
Sterling Hannah, Founder
Charles Hubbard, Member-at-Large
Noreen Powers, Founder
Dorothy Soranno, Member-at-Large
Jim Trusso, Member-at-Large
Kelsey Willey, Member-at-Large
DBC Committees
Finance: Kelly Hood, Chair
Outreach: Andrea Seiderman, Lois Rinehimer, Betty Maher, Co-Chairs
Fundraising: Laura Francis and Mariane Stefano, Co-Chairs
Management: Neves Richards and Board
Water and Safety: Jim Trusso, Chair
Wellness: Alice Bova and Annette D'Aquisto, Co-Chairs
*Neves Richards serves on Outreach, Fundraising and Management committees as staff liaison and the Program Coordinator serves on Water and Wellness committees as staff liaison
DBC Milestones
August 2000
Janet Bloch, ANP and Cindy Carter, Ph.D. receive funding to travel to University of British Columbia to meet with Don McKenzie, MD, Ph.D. and Sandy Smith of Abreast In A Boat.May 2002
Dragon boat arrives in Charleston sponsored by Aventis Pharmaceuticals.2002-2003
Hollings Cancer Center (HCC) dragon boat program put on hold.April 2003
HCC dragon boat program restarted under leadership of Sterling Hannah, Director of Volunteer Services.Summer 2003
Paddlers recruited for first team. Includes both cancer survivors and community volunteers.October 2003
First racing competition at Philadelphia Dragon Boat Festival.August 2006
Medaled in 1st US National Championship.2007-2008
NCI research grant evaluates impact of dragon boating on cancer survivorship. Study design serves as model for DBC outreach program.May 2008
Dragon Boat Charleston established as independent 501c3.May 2008
1st Annual Charleston Dragon Boat Festival!2011
Documentary film Awaken the Dragon premieres profiling DBC.2020
1st Holiday Festival of Trees
What Our Paddlers Are Saying About DBC

Get Involved with Dragon Boat Charleston
Dragon Boat Charleston News & Events
Our 2020 Sponsors
















If you want to learn more about sponsoring DBC, please contact Neves Richards at neves@dragonboatcharleston.org
