We are Canadian Women living with breast cancer, paddling in Venice in the Vogalonga.
With our Italian friends we are here to celebrate and spread the news that a full and active life is possible after treatment for breast cancer.
Siamo un gruppo di donne col tumore al seno, veniamo dal Canada e siamo a Venezia per partecipare all'edizione 2009 della Vogalonga.
Insieme alle nostre amiche italiane, vogliamo dimostrare con entusiasmo e determinazione che, anche col tumore al seno, se curato, si puo' condurre una vita piena e attiva.
VOGALONGA MAY 31, 2009
The 35th annual Vogalonga had a 35 kilometre route through the the open waters of the Lagoon and down the Venetian Grand Canal.
The temperature was 13 degrees celsius and the winds approached an estimated 40 - 50k/h.
About 50 boats capsized and another 100 or so withdrew. It was reported that these were by far the worst conditions in the 35 year history of the Vogalonga race.
Forza Rosa Canada created our own plan. We made a route through an inner canal in order to avoid the worst of the raging storm.
Our Italian friends and their steersperson Daniele Scarpa met up with us towards the end of the race and together we made our way down the Grand Canal for the finish of the paddle.
Forza Rosa Canada carried the Canadian flag down the Grand Canal to the sounds of cheering and "Hooray Canada" from the crowds lining the sides of the Canal.
