Shortly after my breast cancer diagnosis, I find myself sat in the bright, welcoming HQ of Cancer Care West in Galway. Their friendly exercise specialist Alazne Larrinaga is guiding me through a gym assessment, taking my blood pressure and asking, without judgement, about my exercise routine.

“I swim,” I say, “regularly,” and then, with a touch of guilt, “but only since last year”. I feel panic rising as I stew over the proven health benefits of exercise and my forthcoming surgery that will keep me out of the water for weeks.

Looking down, I see a flyer on Alazne’s desk. ‘Row To Recovery,’ it says. I pick it up, my interest peaked by the prospect of rowing, and recovering, and Alazne tells me the group is a local charity that teaches cancer survivors to row. For the first time since my diagnosis, I think there may be positives to be enjoyed from having this horrible disease.

With advice from Alazne, and my clinical team, and the websites I dare read, I try to stay active through treatment. In the weeks after my mastectomy, I walk; on good days during chemo, I swim; during radiotherapy, I do yoga. When my intensive treatment comes to an end, I am wrecked, but as my strength returns, I look forward to rowing.

It is April when I call Row To Recovery about joining. Their boats aren’t on the water yet, and so Coach Robin Winkels invites me to try the ergs, or rowing machines. I arrive at the club in Wood Quay in the dark, just as the latest group of beginners are about to be shown the boathouse. It feels exciting, like being given a key to a new part of Galway City.

I won’t lie, I have a little experience of the sport. My uncle is a lifelong rower, and I am fortunate to have rowed with him in wooden skiffs on the Thames and River Ouse. I know how peaceful the river is, how special the wildlife, how magical the views are from water. I enjoy the therapeutic nature of being in rhythm with the crew of a boat, the fun and comradery. I also know enough to understand how technical rowing is, and how tiring. I am worried I have never rowed in a coxed four, and I won’t be much good.

It is a gift, therefore, to be taught by expert coaches like Robin, and Carol, who have us rowing competently, and enjoying ourselves, in just a few sessions. The erg coaching helps us develop the rhythm and sequence to make our first few outings fly by, and after just four ‘Learn To Row’ sessions on water I am told I have graduated. I can be a full member of the group, and have chocolate peanut brittle too!

Now I’ve lost count of the mornings spent on the water this summer. I’ve met a fab group of people, different ages and professions. We rarely talk about cancer, we enjoy our time, focus on improving our stroke, and have a laugh. Every outing is different – we see cygnets, birds of prey and cormorants with wings spread. I have learnt so much that’s new to me, about the River Corrib, its history, geography, and community. I’ve also confirmed what I thought I knew - that it is a genuine privilege to recover by rowing.