Pink on the Podium
DUC Pink Triumphs in OKC
This weekend, the waters of Oklahoma City rippled with energy, heart, and fierce determination as Dallas United Crew’s PINK team made waves at the Stars and Stripes Festival — and came home with nothing less than GOLD.
Competing in the 200m, 500m, and the crowd favorite 250m flag-catch race, DUC PINK didn’t just show up — they showed out. With two squads of ten fierce and fearless women, our breast cancer survivor (BCS) team pulled together with synchronized strength and a passion that was impossible to ignore. This wasn’t just a race; it was a statement.
PINK didn’t just paddle past the finish line — they surpassed even their own expectations and achieved a milestone victory, besting three teams they had never defeated before. It was a golden moment forged from training, unshakeable team spirit, and a bond that can only be formed through shared experience and relentless perseverance.
This win is a significant milestone as PINK sets their sights on the global stage at the International Breast Cancer Paddlers’ Commission (IBCPC) Participatory Dragon Boat Festival, taking place in Aix-les-Bains, France, in August of 2026.
Held every four years, the IBCPC Festival is more than a race — it’s a worldwide celebration of life after breast cancer. With over 4,000 paddlers from more than 30 countries, this participatory event is dedicated to promoting breast cancer awareness, encouraging healthy lifestyles, and connecting survivors across cultures and continents through the ancient sport of dragon boating.
For Dallas United Crew PINK, preparing for the IBCPC isn’t just about fitness and form. It’s about honoring survivorship, embracing sisterhood, and paddling with purpose. Every stroke on the water is a symbol of resilience. Every race is a tribute to the journey they’ve each endured — and conquered.
To the women of DUC PINK — your gold medals shine bright, but it’s your resilience, teamwork, and heart that light the way forward. Keep paddling strong. France is waiting.
