TANK AGAINST CANCER The regatta attracts many teams and spectators on the Main
Offenbach – It is an action that unites many things that make up life: joy, being together, a challenge, a little exuberance and physical exercise. For the “Rowing Against Cancer” charity regatta of the “Living with Cancer” foundation in collaboration with the Bürgel water sports club, rowing enthusiasts and spectators once again fill the beach at the Bürgel regatta site. Nearly 50 teams have signed up for the good cause.
Since 2005, “Cancer Rowing” has been held nationwide in partnership with local rowing clubs. Proceeds from registrations go to the “Sport and Cancer” initiative, which offers targeted sports programs for patients. This reduces side effects, improves well-being, mobilizes and strengthens resilience.
“We are still enjoying some rest, but we will start from here soon,” competition spokesman Arno Boes announced early in the morning. It starts with the mixed, the mixed teams, followed by the men’s groups and then the women’s rowers. Four active people put themselves in the straps, the ride itself takes only a few minutes. The good news: Aside from the mix, they all make it straight to the semifinals. The men and women, who are in the same boat together, have to complete another qualifying round due to the large number of questions.
Creative naming of boat crews is a tradition of the event, which is annual until the Corona period.
The list of participants includes the “Rodgaupaddler”, the “Captain Balu and his crew”, the “Ponystall” and the group of “Until one cries”. In addition to cheering fans, DJ Frank Müller ensures maximum motivation with his music. While the “BGU-Sharks” and “Fanta 4” qualify quickly, other boats, sometimes a little helpless, rock up and down on the sunlit waves of the Main. “It doesn’t matter, they’re still trying to coordinate,” spokesman Boes humorously commented. The team is obviously still at the stage where everyone is rowing for themselves. The event actually deliberately focuses on amateurs. “So it should be with ‘Rowing Against Cancer’, it’s not an expert competition and some teams have only met in the last few weeks,” Boes points out. And so even those who fail to score in the first round have a second chance in the so-called repechage.
In the meantime, it’s a bit like being in a dovecote at the exchange bridge. Some have to get off the boats, others have to return immediately. “Please don’t row past Frankfurt,” the spokesperson asks. “We need the boats quickly to meet the times.” Meanwhile, the professionals of the nautical club remain calm and accompany each departure with patience. The seats are secured with shaking, the oars must be re-checked and the feet fastened. Then the helmsman or the helmsman of the association gets on board. At the end there is still time for a friendly “Good Luck” from the rowing professional.
A team from the municipal administration called “Offenbacher Mainpiraten” also regularly participates in the rowing show. With great success, many trophies have already been won. As usual, Frank Weber, head of the municipal regulatory office, is right in the middle. “Of course we trained, even if not all year,” he says. He also reveals that some team members have at least a little rowing experience.
More on the full amateur side are the crews of the Neu-Isenburg company “International SOS”, which participates for the first time and starts with three boats. “We are happy that we have all arrived safe and sound so far,” says Nina Bischoff jokingly. “It’s great how many colleagues there are,” says organizer Irith Schneider. “And maybe we’ll find a good place then,” she hopes.
