Eight local cancer survivors will travel to Boston to participate in the largest rowing event in the world – Head of the Charles. The world-famous regatta will host athletes from all over the world from Oct. 17–19. Over 11,750 rowers traverse the historic 4,800-meter course while spectators line the shores to witness more than 60 races. This year marks the 60th Anniversary of the 3-day event.
Cortlandt Community Rowing Association (CCRA) was founded in 2013 and is based in Verplanck. In 2023 CCRA rowers who are cancer survivors were invited to formulate a crew to join the Survivor Rowing Network (SRN). Thus, the CCRA Viking Survivor crew was formed with a modest crew of 6 rowers – most of them brand new to the sport. Now, only 2 years later, the Viking Survivors team has doubled to 12 rowers supported by 2 coxswain, 2 coaches, and CCRA crew members. The CCRA Viking Survivors are one team among the current 38 teams worldwide who participate as part of SRN. As athletes, rowers train year-round on indoor rowing machines and transition to rowing outdoors when the weather warms. For the Survivor Vikings, that means Lake Meahagh in Verplanck, where they row the 1 km length in endless loops, and the Hudson River for longer lengths, launching from the Town of Cortlandt public dock.
Current team members include cancer survivors Sarah Begue (Cortlandt Manor), Anne Carpenter (Ossining), Lorraine Daly (Cortlandt Manor), Amy-Simone Erard (Croton on Hudson), Susie Erdey (Peekskill), Zhanna Glazenburg (Croton), Leslie Hunt (Cortlandt Manor), Mary O’Hara (Peekskill), Sharon Prouty (Cortlandt Manor), Madelon Rosen-Solomon (Montrose), Judith Rose (Cold Spring), and Liz Winklemann (Verplanck), They are coached by Melissa Creighton (Cortlandt Manor) and Naomi Woodard (Cortlandt Manor). Trish Hetman (Highland Falls) and Colleen Roth (Ossining) selflessly serve as Coxswains and participate in each practice as rowers if the need arises.
Survivor Vikings use their own cancer experiences to foster a program that dutifully cares for others in similar circumstances. Grateful for the research and activism that brought extra years to so many, they extend that spirit to people who must overcome all sorts of adversity. Survivor rowing has its origins in breast cancer recovery, but the life lessons and learned experiences are applicable to everyone. When survivors overcome their challenges, they thrive and bring that hard-earned wisdom and compassion to others.
Exercise programs offer significant benefits for cancer survivors by improving quality of life, managing treatment related side effects, and potentially reducing the risk of recurrence or death. Rowing is an excellent form of exercise for cancer survivors providing physical benefits like improved strength and reduced lymphedema, significant mental health advantages from stress reduction and community, and emotional well-being through teamwork and the connection to nature. The sport is a low-impact, full body workout, and can be tailored to athletes of all skill levels and body types. This sport offers survivors so much more than just physical gains, it offers a path to a better you.
The CCRA Viking Survivors are currently fundraising to support their program:
CCRA Survivors 2025 HOCR Fundraising Donor Form : https://forms.gle/8Lm4YZDVULdC9hYs5
