The Kootenay Robusters is a non-profit organization for breast cancer survivors and associates to experience physical, emotional, spiritual and mental wellness at a level that they find comfortable and personally challenging. Through the paddling experience, it is their aim to raise awareness of breast cancer and the uplifting truth that there is life after breast cancer.

The Kootenay Robusters are in their 13^th season of paddling in  Christina Lake and always welcome new paddlers.  Everyone on the team is a volunteer and each member contributes to the organization by serving on the various committees that are needed to make the team function. Money  raised through sales of their annual calendar – a project which allows them to operate their paddling program while keeping costs low for any woman who wants to participate. As well as contributing to the yearly donation of $5000.00 to the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital – this time for a digital mammography machine.

The Kootenay Robusters also took part in Relays for Life in three communities and also had participants in the CIBC Run for the Cure. Throughout the year they attended events at local businesses such as Shoppers’ Look Good Feel Better , Mark’s Work Wearhouse Ladies’ Day, and Castlegar Rec’s Parade of Programs.

The team’s big adventure was attending the San Francisco Dragon Boat Festival, where they fulfilled their mission to raise breast cancer awareness by being the only breast cancer team participating – and attracted a lot of attention in their bright pink shirts and PFDs.

Anyone interested in joining the team regardless of fitness level, age or being personally affected by breast cancer, are welcome to join and  bring awareness to this important cause.  Please contact Kootenay Robusters to let them know you will be paddling and to find the location of the boat launch.

Weekly Practice:  From May- Middle of September Practice 3 times/week active Tuesday,  Thursday evenings 6pm-7:30pm and Saturday mornings from  9-11am.  There is also a paddling machine in each community which can be used individually by The Robusters in the off season.

AGM: Fall/Winter

Annual Events: Annual Calendar Sales begin every September for sale at several local businesses  in Christina Lake, Trail,  Rossland ,  Castlegar and surrounding areas.  Anyone wanting to submit a picture for next years Calendar 2015, please email to joycliff(@telus.net.)

Contact: Christina Lake & Grand Forks: Jeanie Tourcotte : 250-447-6169
Castlegar : Joy Anderson 250-365-3794
Rossland:  Mary Hatlevik  250-362-9452