Pearl was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2007 (age 63), she had surgery in August then took up dragon boating the following October for the Dubbo Outback Dragons who at the time were the only club in the Western Region. In 2008 Pearl and seven others established dragon boating in Orange. She is currently a Level 3 Sweep (the steerer of the dragon boat), a Level 3 Coach (Australian DB Federation), Level 3 Official and the coach of the Pinnacle Dragons 13yrs
Pearl has coached various teams such as James Sheahan, the Development Western Region Squad, and the Western Region representative Squad (who took out Gold at the National Championships)
She has held various positions in DBNSW including Competition and Technical Committee, Organising Committee of National Championships and Coordinator of Western Region DB clubs.
