The Head of the Charles Regatta, the world’s largest two-day rowing event, is held yearly on the Charles River in Boston, Massachusetts. In October 2000, nine women made history as they climbed into a boat to race in the Masters Women’s Eights competition. The boat, organized and coached by 1984 Olympic Gold Medallist Holly Metcalf, was inspired by Diane Cotting, the seven-seat. Having talked with Holly about the importance of rowing as a part of her recovery from breast cancer, Diane felt that it would be a powerful statement for nine survivors to race down the course of the Charles. In NINE, Diane explains that rowing saved her life and that she wants to show other women that breast cancer is not a death sentence. Holly describes how she and Diane sent letters to Row as One* alumni, seeking out breast cancer survivors who would like to be a part of the crew. The women they gathered became the focus of the documentary.

We are introduced to the women as they meet each other for the first time, five days before the race. They have traveled from all parts of the United States to participate in the “One in Nine” boat, which took its name from the frightening statistic that one in nine women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. There are hugs all around as they gather on the dock before their first practice. The team is comprised of Mary Ruddell, Nancy Oken, Diane Cotting, Michele Marks, Pat Carr, Beth Meister, Suzy McIntosh, Joyce Abercrombie and Candace Kendle – nine athletes ranging in age from 37 to 63. All rowers, all breast cancer survivors, although some of them tell you they survived the treatments, not the cancer; and that breast cancer is, and always will be, a part of their lives.

Throughout the week the women practice, bond and share their experiences with breast cancer. They show special concern for Michele, who at the age of 37, was rediagnosed just four weeks prior to the race. For the first time in their recovery, they are surrounded by other women who understand the mastectomies, the chemo, radiation, reconstructions and tamoxifin. They tell their stories over lunch, interspersed with their planning for the big race. They are here because of breast cancer, but moreover they are here to win. In their individual interviews, they dig deeper into the past and tell of the isolation they felt, the fear, and how rowing helped them through the rough spots, giving them the physical and mental strength to keep fighting.

Many of the women were not athletes before they began rowing. They tell us about growing up when “women weren’t supposed to sweat.” As rowers, they have learned that sweating and being strong are good. They have challenged societies’ misconceptions of women (especially older women) as non-athletes and weak competitors. They are here to show the world that women, regardless of their age, can row hard.

Wearing pink uni-suits and sequined hats, the women are ready for their race. Counting down from bow, they push out from the dock and head for the starting line. Hundreds of thousands of people are gathered along the banks of the Charles. If spectators blink they will miss the women as they fly past. As they cross the finish line, regardless of the results, they feel the race is already won. The women end their short time together with a victory row back down the course, the spectators along the shore cheering and waving pink ribbons as a show of support.

* Row As One Institute, Inc. was founded by Holly Metcalf in 1994. Every summer, Holly runs camps for masters women (ages 27+) who want to learn to row or improve their skills.