The Kootenay Robusters held a Carnation Ceremony recently at Christina Lake. It is the last event of the paddling season and the team has put the dragonboat to bed for the winter.

The Kootenay Robusters held a Carnation Ceremony recently at Christina Lake. It is the last event of the paddling season and the team has put the dragonboat to bed for the winter.

Kootenay Robusters hold Carnation Ceremony at Christina Lake

The Kootenay Robusters held a Carnation Ceremony recently at Christina Lake.

The Kootenay Robusters recently ended their 2012 paddling season with a Carnation Ceremony at Christina Lake.

Once a year, the team has a tradition of pausing to remember members who have passed away from breast cancer, to encourage those who are presently fighting to restore their health and to renew their commitment the goals of the team. These are to experience physical, emotional, spiritual and mental wellness at a level that is comfortable but personally challenging.

Through the paddling experience, Robusters aim to raise awareness and to demonstrate the uplifting truth that there is life after breast cancer.

After a moment of silence to remember the eight team members who have passed away, and the many others who never had the opportunity to join the team, Robusters tossed pink carnations into the water as they sang the words to Garth Brooks’ ballad The River.

– The Kootenay Robusters

Grand Forks Gazette