While each person has a unique story, there鈥檚 a thread that ties the paddlers together.
They鈥檙e all breast cancer survivors.
Fort 91原创-based Abreast With FORTitude is one of six crews of Abreast In A Boat (www.abreastinaboat.com), the world鈥檚 first breast cancer Dragonboat team.
Abreast in a Boat started as an experiment in 1996 by Dr. Don McKenzie of UBC to quash the theory that women who had undergone breast cancer surgery should not do rigorous upper body exercise.
McKenzie鈥檚 idea has come a long way, and inspired a lot of people over 21 years. Since its inception, Abreast In A Boat has spawned more than 150 breast cancer teams worldwide 鈥� and counting.
Now Abreast With FORTitude, part of the Fort 91原创 Canoe Club, is hoping to add more survivors to its Dragonboat crew. No experience is necessary.
鈥淲e want to spread the word that you can live a healthy, active life after breast cancer,鈥� team member Karen Salloch said.
鈥淲e are looking for paddlers for next year.鈥�
Salloch said being part of this crew is 鈥渟omething very special.鈥�
鈥淲e are not only about paddling. We are fellow survivors, paddling to keep active, increase health, have fun and support each other.
鈥淲e are there for each other both on and off the water,鈥� she said.
鈥淚t is amazing to watch novices each year as they learn to paddle, gain confidence in their health, and feel joy after a good practice on the river.鈥�
Salloch, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012 and underwent a double mastectomy the same year, says Abreast With FORTitude has lifted her up physically and emotionally, since joining the crew four years ago.
鈥淢y husband says this is the best decision I ever made, to join this team,鈥� Salloch said, 鈥渂ecause everybody knows what you鈥檝e been through. There are other people on the boat who have had recurrences, or are dealing with it (breast cancer) right now. And for some people it was 20 years ago, or more.鈥�
The team, comprised of survivors ranging in age from their mid-30s to their 70s, paddles along the Bedford Channel on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings, usually from late March to early July.
Salloch, 44, is inspired by the older paddlers.
鈥淚 was 39 when I started and there were a lot more older ladies on the team at the time, and to see what they were doing, I didn鈥檛 feel like I would ever complain about being tired at the end of a practice,鈥� Salloch said with a chuckle.
鈥淚t鈥檚 hard exercise but it鈥檚 fun.鈥�
For the team members, FORTitude not only represents the Fort 91原创 location where they paddle, but their belief that with grit and determination, breast cancer survivors can live long and healthy lives.
Salloch encourages any breast cancer survivor to try out paddling with the team. 鈥淚t鈥檚 for the fun and the support. The exercise for sure 鈥� we鈥檙e always showing that you can be healthy and active after breast cancer 鈥� but for sure, the support. We call it a floating support group.鈥�
The team often gathers for coffee after a session out on the water on Saturday mornings.
Abreast With FORTitude also competes in regattas, and in April 2014, helped .
A novice meeting is planned in November where new paddlers can meet current members and coaches, and learn more about paddling with Abreast With FORTitude.
To learn more about Abreast With FORTitude visit or email Salloch at krsalloch@gmail.com or Neoma Ham at neomahelena@icloud.com.
troy.landreville@blackpress.ca
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