01 June 2026

Port Adeliade and Semaphore Prostate Cancer Support Group finds strength on the water through dragon boating

Members of the Port Adeliade and Semaphore Prostate Cancer Support Group in South Australia are taking prostate cancer awareness onto the water, joining a dragon boat team at West Lakes in Adelaide to build fitness, connection and community spirit.

The group, started by Rob Jacobs and Brian Gillan in November, has quickly become an active source of peer support for men impacted by prostate cancer and their families. Both men have experienced prostate cancer themselves and understand how important it is for men to have access to practical information, trusted support and others who know what they are going through.

The dragon boat team supports breast cancer and prostate cancer survivors and trains regularly at West Lakes, where the boats can hold up to 20 paddlers. Sessions usually attract between 10 and 14 people and involve around an hour of paddling, offering a strong mix of exercise, teamwork and camaraderie.

Rob says the activity has been a positive way to improve health and stay connected.

“The whole idea of it is that the exercise we get is perfect for what we’ve got,” Rob says.

“You arrive, you get the boat ready, put the boat in the water, hop on, and then there’s one hour of paddling.”

The group is now encouraging more men from the support group to get involved, with dragon boating providing a positive way to stay active after diagnosis and treatment. Members have already taken part in state-level competitions, with national and international competitions also available for those who want to go further.

Away from the water, the Port Adeliade and Semaphore Prostate Cancer Support Group continues to grow. The group receives at least one new referral each month, largely through hospital-based prostate cancer support nurses at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Flinders Medical Centre and Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Rob says many men are unsure where to turn after diagnosis.

“We’ve had so many comments from the new ones we’ve had. They don’t know what to do. And so, we guide them through what’s available, the resources, the speakers we have,” he says.

The group also hosts guest speakers, including pharmacists, physiotherapists, and men’s health experts, and sends regular updates to members on prostate cancer information and support.

Like many volunteer-led groups, equipment and resources remain a challenge. Rob says a projector and screen would help make guest speaker sessions more effective.

“One of the biggest pieces of equipment that we need is a projector,” he says.

Despite those challenges, the group is determined to keep building awareness and supporting men locally.

“If you’re not proactive, you’re left behind. If you’re proactive, it’s there, but you’ve got to go and find it,” Rob says.

To find out more about the Port Adeliade and Semaphore Prostate Cancer Support Group, please visit: https://www.pcfa.org.au/support/find-a-support-group/port-adelaide-and-semaphore-pcsg/