Shortly before sunset on a recent Wednesday, a group of women stepped into a long, narrow boat on Bayou St. John. At the coxswain’s command, they pushed off, eight blades cutting into the bayou at once.

It’s a far cry from their first practice about a year ago, when they could barely lift the boat into the water.

The women belong to the Survivor Rowing Club, a team of breast cancer survivors who meet several times a week to row and workout. Of around 28 rowers, only one had ever rowed before. But they all know the lasting effects of breast-cancer treatment — the fatigue, scars and fear of recurrence. Out on the bayou, they’re trying to reclaim strength, community and the parts of themselves that felt buried by the cancer.

Later this month, they’ll compete in their very first race, and i

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