In Alicante, the Real Club Regatas hosted the third race of the season for the initiative “100 SUMA Solidarity Shovels against breast cancer.” This charity rowing day, paired with a round-table discussion, gathered local clubs and healthcare partners to raise awareness and funds for those affected by breast cancer. The Valencian Community Rowing Federation coordinated the activities with Real Club Regatas Alicante and the RemaVida association, with support from SUMA Gestión Tributaria.
The day began at 9:00 a.m. with the early rounds. Competitors were organized into two divisions: Braves, made up of eight breast cancer survivors plus a helmsman in each boat, and Equals, a category that required at least one participant to meet the survival criterion while others held an annual non-competitive license. Finals in both divisions followed from noon onward.
Four Equals teams and three Braves teams took to the water, covering approximately 400 meters in boats styled Falucho/Llaüt Valencià, a traditional Levantine rowing form that adds regional flavor to the competition.
Four clubs joined the solidarity day: Club Deportivo Puerto de Alicante, Real Club Regatas Alicante, Club Rem Denia, and Club Náutico Benidorm. This gathering highlighted how sport can unite communities around important health issues and support networks for those facing breast cancer.
Round Table
The event also featured a Round Table titled “100 Solidarity Strikes Against Breast Cancer” III, presented in 2023. A key feature was the discussion with healthcare professionals who explored the current state of the disease and the supportive role that physical activity can play in prevention, treatment, and recovery. Panelists shared experiences and practical guidance for patients, families, and caregivers.
Contributors included Dr. Tina Aurora Martín Bayón of Balmis General Hospital, an assistant gynecologist who participates in the Breast Pathology Team and collaborates with the Breast Cancer research team at ISABIAL (Institute of Health and Biomedical Research in Alicante); Francisco Solesio Pilarte, a plastic surgeon and director of Kyra Clinic; Ana Cerezo Martínez, a psychologist, counselor, and mindfulness expert; and Charo Asensio García, a physiotherapist who works with the RemaVida Association alongside the other speakers. Their insights spanned medical, psychological, and rehabilitative dimensions of breast cancer care, emphasizing how sports and movement can complement clinical treatments.
The Alicante edition closed with a sense of communal momentum, as participants and supporters reflected on the journey and commitments ahead. The Valencian Community Rowing Federation led the season’s events, with additional races held in Jávea and Dénia, continuing a regional program that blends sport, health education, and solidarity for a meaningful cause. [Source: Valencian Community Rowing Federation, Real Club Regatas Alicante, RemaVida]