diversity in rowing

We're catching up with the whirlwind that is Arshay Cooper! You're invited to join the livestream to ask questions and share your experiences with Arshay - just comment on the discussion thread at any of the replay destinations.

Besides being a rower, Arshay is a Benjamin Franklin award-winning author, the protagonist of the critically acclaimed film “A Most Beautiful Thing,” nominated for an NAACP Image Award in 2020. He's also a Golden Oar recipient for his contributions to the sport of rowing, motivational speaker, and activist, particularly around issues of accessibility to rowing and other sports for under-resourced communities. 

Arshay grew up on the West Side of Chicago and in 1997 joined and later captained the country’s first all-Black high school rowing team at Manley High School. He dedicated two years of his life to AmeriCorps, focusing on diversity and inclusion, and continues to speak and represent across the country and around the world; most recently bringing his message of empowerment through sports to youth in South Africa and leading a youth rowing camp at Craftsbury Outdoor Center in Vermont.

Updated show notes & links at https://readyrowusa.com/arshay-cooper-2023

S3, Ep 3. As many of you know, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018, and had a mastectomy, chemo and immunotherapy, and since then I've been on a bit of a mission to inform people about things they might need to know about the condition. Which is why I was so thrilled when Napoleon Griffin agreed to come on the show. As both a rower and a male breast cancer survivor, Napoleon and I had LOADS to talk about.

You can find Napoleon on Instagram here

We talked about:

• Coming to rowing later in life
• Background as a track and field athlete
• Discovering he had breast cancer
• The importance of getting any symptoms of male breast cancer checked
• The treatment and the mental battle
• Second run-in with cancer
• The financial implications of having cancer
• Finishing treatment - regenerating
• The resources available re male breast cancer
• The importance of self-examination for men as well as women
• Getting fit after cancer and the benefits of being fit in bouncing back (and outcomes)
• Learning to scull in Puerto Rico with sharks and manatees!
• Rowing vs running
• Making history as the first all black quad at US Masters
• Diversity in rowing
• World Masters 2022
• Plans for a breast cancer survivors' 2022
• How cancer changes your attitude to life
• Representing your country at international events
• Athletes Without Limits

Resources

Information about male breast cancer:

• NHS page re signs and symptoms
• BreastCancer.Org information
• CoppaFeel information re breast cancer in men
• CoppaFeel information re how to check your chest / breasts

Athletes Without Limits - encouraging people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to get involved in sport.

Ready, Row! USA #90: Philadelphia City Rowing

Today Caitlin Mance, Executive Director of Philadelphia City Rowing gives us the scoop on PCR's third annual 10K Challenge. The cool thing is that there's an environmental twist to the classic event this year. Inspired by the passion of the PCR student athletes for environmental justice, Earth Month, and PCR’s organizational commitment to being good community members and stewards of the Schuylkill River, PCR is attaching a theme to the Challenge: sustainability & environmental justice.

So save the planet with PCR and Ready, Row! USA - We invite you to mix the hashtags below into your workout and social media posts - Caitlin gives you some creative ideas on the pop-up podcast! #ReadyRowUSA #PCRProtectsThePlanet #PCR10KChallenge

Click here for episode links & show notes extras!