FORT-itude-Oz,
a blend of 12 FORT-itude regulars, 4 paddlers from
Deas, and 4 from Barnet, had lots of fun at the
Cultus Lake Regatta, 11 August 2007, although we
certainly did not do well in our competitions.
We left
our beds before the sunrise that we did get to see
on our various treks out. We got to smell farm smells
from the freeway as we zig-zagged to the regatta
site which was surrounded by pine trees. The atmosphere
at Cultus felt like a country-community picnic with
kids jumping into warm water, women shucking corn
and selling hot-dogs and hamburgers, and men frying
onions and cooking the meat. Many paddlers, supporters,
and women selling raffle tickets were wearing cowboy
hats and/or bright bandanas. Everyone looked so
friendly, relaxed, and in a good mood.
With only
16 crews at the meet, we got to race 4 times. Our
coaches, Lita and Juanita, decided that since we
had had only two practices together, they’d
use the regatta as a chance to try out different
starts.
Then, before
warming up for the breast cancer survivor race,
we formed a circle with the Deas crew while Jenny
Yule (Deas), Helen McGettigan (Barnet), and Carol
Thorbes (False Creek) spoke of paddlers and a sister
who had recently died of breast cancer. Although
this was sad, it fully acknowledged our love for
those now gone and their presence in our lives.
It also made me feel grateful just to be there.
After the
three-boat breast cancer race in which we came “first
in our lane”, all three boats rafted together
and waved pink carnations in time with the music
and the people on the shore who were also waving
carnations. During the flower ceremony, the young
boys on the dock waited respectfully, then after
we threw our flowers they jumped in and swam through
the floating carnations.
Article submitted by Maria Hindmarch
