A season in quarantine
Like most activities and plans amid the Covid-19 global pandemic, the 2020 PDP season was canceled. Not to be discouraged while being relegated to land, the team still found ways to stay active and connected.
One of the more whimsical activities was a visit to each paddler’s residential front yard by a stealthy flock of pink yard flamingos—enough to populate a full dragon boat. After suddenly appearing on the lawn of a teammate and hanging out for a few days to entertain the neighborhood, the flock would mysteriously depart and reappear outside another teammate’s home.
Fitness opportunities are a big part of the programming PDP offers throughout the year. PDP board secretary Pat Lacey (affectionately known as “Mama Pat”) prompted a Fitness Challenge to the team in competition with PDP’s sister team in Indianapolis, the Indy SurvivOars. Everyone could take part in the comfort and safety of their own home. PDP team members also participated remotely in Indy’s weekly exercise programs.
The team also enjoyed a six-week online yoga class with instructor Anne Baker. And paddlers walked a total of 663 miles from Dec. 28 through Feb. 13 as part of the Criss-Cross Virtual Challenge sponsored by the Illinois Marathon.
In June, Coach Sarah Waterman took to Zoom and shared her healthy recipe for homemade granola that the team followed along to make at home. While the grains and nuts were baking in the oven, Sarah led the team in a fun kitchen workout.
Even though the team was not out on the water in 2020, paddlers gathered in mid-July near the boat launch at Homer Lake where we do our warmups prior to practice to welcome new teammates to the group. The day culminated with our own flower ceremony to honor those we’ve lost, those still in the fight, our survivorship and building awareness.
In July, PDP also hosted a virtual information session about lymphedema from certified therapist Jami Kohlman from the Mettler Center, a PDP sponsor.
In the fall, team members participated in the annual Row-a-thon in Piatt County, organized by Kirby Medical Center, which is another proud sponsor of PDP. Teams compete on rowing machines and help raise money for breast cancer research, awareness and patient support.
The year-end team gathering took place outdoors Nov. 7 at the rural home of interim coach and paddler Debi Bliss.