With the temperature barely reaching the double digits, the WonderBroads plunged their paddles into River Canard Saturday morning for another season.
Made up of breast cancer survivors from Windsor-Essex, the dragon boat team spends each rowing season sending a message of strength and hope.
For newcomer Monique Levac, there was a sense she was “lacking” something in life before she found the WonderBroads.
“I just happened to actually stumble on the WonderBroads coming into River Canard,” Levac said.
Before launching, members held a small ceremony to remember who had passed away, followed by a ritual to prepare the boat for the water.
“I feel great. I can’t wait. I can’t wait. I love these ladies already,” Levac said about her eagerness to get moving.
Paddles in hand, 19 ladies boarded the boat and began their first laps around the river of the year.
For Sandi Shoust, even after 18 years of paddling, there’s still a desire each year to return to the WonderBroads.
”When you first get breast cancer, you’re full of fear. You don’t know what the future is going to be like, you wonder what your life is going to be like,” Shoust explained. “Then along comes this group of women that are strong, powerful, have overcome breast cancer, know that there’s life after breast cancer.”
According to the Canadian Cancer Society, about one in eight Canadian women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime.
Shoust said the WonderBroads serve as a “sisterhood,” providing an example for other women that they can be strong and overcome the largest of obstacles.
“Together we paddle as one. We’re a force,” the 71 year old said.
The WonderBroads will continue training in the coming weeks ahead of their first competition at the end of May in Brampton.
For both Shoust and Levac, the message to other breast cancer survivors is to reach out and give it a try.
