CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

Rowing to recovery one stroke at a time on the Indian River Lagoon

Stuart News - 8/21/2017

Another season of team rowing on the Indian River Lagoon for breast and women's cancer survivors begins in September.

Row Beyond Diagnosis is offered through a partnership of Vero Beach Rowing and Friends After Diagnosis. The program is at the MacWilliam Park Boat Basin off of Indian River Drive East in Vero Beach.

"Part of the success of our first session of rowing earlier this year was that it was geared to all fitness levels," said Kat Shippee, Row Beyond Diagnosis coordinator. "Coach Gary from Vero Beach Rowing does a fantastic job of teaching the right technique and bringing the newcomers along slowly so that everybody gets into the rhythm. Plus, it's great fun."

Row Beyond Diagnosis is one of the wellness programs offered by Friends After Diagnosis to enhance the lives of survivors of breast and women's cancers and their loved ones. Studies show exercise not only helps reduce anxiety, depression and fatigue but also helps reduce cancer relapse rates.

Sylvia Swanson was a participant in Row Beyond Diagnosis program this past spring and documented the experience in Sylvia's Blog at FriendsAfterDiagnosis.com.

Swanson wrote: "As this class ends, I will take the rowing and life lessons with me to remind myself of the beauty and harmony that can be achieved when we work together. Serenity is restored when I am out on the water away from my busy calendar. Time spent in nature calms the mind, clears perspective, renews energy, and enhances inner peace. What more could I possibly need? I am deeply grateful for all the people and effort that make this class possible for cancer survivors and their significant care givers."

Row Beyond Diagnosis

The free program will be 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturdays in September, and those interested in learning more are strongly urged to attend the 9:30 to 11 a.m.Aug. 26 demonstration.

Attendees will have an opportunity to learn from Coach Gary Marra, his crew of volunteers, and past Row Beyond Diagnosis participants about the team rowing technique and equipment, and to get a feel for the sport with the help of the stationary rowing machines.

For directions to the MacWilliam Park Boat Basin, visit the event calendar on at FriendsAfterDiagnosis.com. For more information about the program, contact Kat Shippee at 772-538-5860.