Survivor Rowing Network

03/18/2026

WeCanRow-Boston (WCR-B) is a wellness and recovery program for women who have been treated for breast cancer. Founded in 2002 by Olympic gold medalist Holly Metcalf, WCR-B is the original WeCanRow program, which has affiliates across the country. Rowing helps our members re-build physical strength a...

03/13/2026

Spring Rowing Season. HERE WE GO!

There’s still ice on the River, but this group of ladies are warming up for our on-the-water season. Rowing in tanks allows us to work on our technique. As our tanks season goes forward, we’ll be adding in more endurance work.

03/07/2026

This Women's History Month, we're continuing to feature some of the amazing women who make up the Recovery on Water (ROW) Team!
Meet Kristine G
STARBOARD
Master
Joined July 2023
Dx with invasive lobular carcinoma in April of ‘23, just 10 days before completing her Master's in Clinical Social Work. After a brief water season, she received guidance from her Oncologist to pause rowing during her chemotherapy, starting in August. With unwavering determination, she returned to the water in the Spring of 2024.

Though her cancer journey is ongoing, with targeted therapy and significant reconstructive surgery on the horizon, Kristine continues to embody the spirit of survivorship.

When she comes home from a practice or race, she flops on the kitchen floor. It’s wonderfully tough.

She’s been “spying” on ROW for years. Kristine's two sons, who rowed with CTC, a local youth rowing club sharing the boathouse bay with ROW, were deeply inspired by the community. When she opened up about her breast cancer dx, their response was, "Mom, are you going to join ROW?" Their having witnessed the strength and strong spirit of ROW members over the years made Kristine's diagnosis less frightening for them.

In her first water season with ROW, her son coached the summer CTC team. It was a poignant moment when his coach's launch crossed paths with hers on the Bubbly, and they exchanged a nod, symbolizing a shared dedication and connection.

FUN FACT: She spent most of the 90’s living in Germany (1991-1998).

Click link in Bio to learn more about ROW.

03/04/2026

03/04/2026

As part of a series of posts for Women in Sport Week, we asked some of our members to share what started them rowing. First up is Martina McWalter, one of the all female team that founded Row to Recovery. It’s safe to say that although we are a mixed-gender club, our boats still contain a lot of girl power 💪🏻. Thanks and for encouraging more women and girls to participate in all types of sport 🏋🏽‍♀️🧘🏻‍♀️🚴🏾‍♀️🏊🏼‍♀️⛹🏼‍♀️🚣🏻‍♀️🧗🏻‍♀️🤸🏻

*How long have you been rowing for Martina?*
Twelve years.
*How did you discover the sport?*
I discovered rowing with my sister as part of her recovery from a cancer diagnosis, then I too was diagnosed with the BRCA gene and had to have prophylactic surgery. I read how rowing can help with lymphedema and after reaching out to a local rowing club and meeting our coach Robin, and another founder member Carol, we started up Row to Recovery Galway.
*What do you love most about rowing?*
I love the fresh air and the exercise is great for the body and mind. The ladies I row with are so much fun. I have a very busy lifestyle, always rushing around, and I find exercise is a great way to calm down and take some time for myself. When you’re out on the river the peace, the sounds of the birds, the nature, is absolutely fantastic.
*What role does sport play in your life more generally?*
I love walking and the gym I do something every day. I have a busy lifestyle and, as a mother of three boys, sport is a huge part of my life.
*If you had one piece of advice to give someone thinking of taking up rowing - or any sport - later in life, what would it be?*
It is never too late. I started rowing at 44 and began lifting weights properly in my fifties.

03/04/2026

We are welcoming new members in March at our ROWpen House! This will be virtual. Interested in learning about Recovery on Water (ROW)? How to Join — Recovery on Water https://share.google/QbJsucOEfvbveZVP0

Recovery on Water (ROW) is a rowing team in the Chicago area for breast cancer survivors and those with a genetic predisposition to breast cancer: "previvors," across all stages of the disease. ROW offers participants a unique opportunity to become actively involved in their recovery and gain the support of their peers.

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03/04/2026

To celebrate Women in Sport Week, we asked some of our members to share what got them started with rowing. Next up in our series is one of our three excellent coaches Lizanne. Thanks to and for encouraging more women and girls to participate in all types of sport 🏋🏽‍♀️🧘🏻‍♀️🚴🏾‍♀️🏊🏼‍♀️⛹🏼‍♀️🚣🏻‍♀️🧗🏻‍♀️🤸🏻

✏️How long have you been rowing for Lizanne?
I started rowing many moons ago with but I called it quits after my last year as a junior. I made a brief comeback with at some point, and then I started coaching with Row to Recovery last summer.

✏️How did you discover the sport?
My friend’s older brother came to our secondary school to see if anyone wanted to try rowing. My friends were going - it was probably FOMO that brought me down too!

✏️What do you love most about rowing?
I love being out in the fresh air, getting up the river and passing on what was taught to me but mostly, I love chatting and laughing with the gang for an hour or two every weekend.

✏️What role does sport play in your life more generally?
Sport has always been a big part of my life. It has thought me many lessons, sometimes tough ones, and it has introduced me to some of my dearest friends 🥰

✏️If you had one piece of advice to give someone thinking of taking up rowing - or any sport - later in life, what would it be?
If you’re nervous about starting I would say: the thought of doing something can often be scarier than the actual doing of the thing. Be brave and give it a go… You might surprise yourself 🤩

02/28/2026