Survivor Rowing Network Racing at San Diego Crew Classic 2025

In anticipation of the upcoming San Diego Crew Classic, JL Racing is honored to highlight the inspiring journeys of four remarkable athletes who will be competing in Survivor Rowing Network (SRN) boats. The athletes, Dale Parenti, Dan Lynch, Shari Lowen, and Napoleon Griffin, each discovered rowing through unique paths shaped by personal challenges and triumphs. From battling cancer to seeking new athletic endeavors, their stories reflect resilience, community, and the transformative power of sport. Join us as we learn about their experiences, insights, and aspirations ahead of this special event, celebrating SRN's inaugural presence at Crew Classic.

JL Racing: Can you share your story of how you became involved with rowing and SRN? What initially drew you to the sport?

Dale Parenti: Following my breast cancer diagnosis in 2005, I joined a dragon boat team for breast cancer survivors in Philadelphia called Hope Afloat. While I’d always been a good athlete, I had let work and kids keep me from any regular exercise or physical activity. I always had a million excuses why I couldn’t exercise. Joining the dragon boat team meant that I was suddenly exercising vigorously three times per week. The team environment made it hard to make excuses. Not only did I feel better physically, the mental benefit of regular exercise was dramatic. My mood lifted and my personality became more animated. I felt like myself for the first time in a long time. Joy and laughter returned to my life.

JL Racing: How has rowing played a role in your recovery and personal growth since your diagnosis?

Dale: Rowing has increased my strength and endurance. Since I started rowing, the commitment to getting regular exercise has become an important part of my life. My cancer was caught early and was not life threatening, but it was life-changing because it brought exercise and rowing into my life.

Dan: This may seem like a staged answer, but I truly believe that if it were not for rowing, I might not be alive today. My diagnosis was in November 2018 at age 56, three years after I learned to row. My overall fitness was the best it had been in decades, thanks in large part to my daily Erg sessions, at that point about 10,000m per day. Earlier that year, I had broken several World and American rowing records for men in my age group, and that gave me a sense of accomplishment and pride, as well as a supportive group of competitors and friends from all over the globe. The physical and mental strength I found through rowing – the sport and the community – helped me cope with the daily stressors of diagnosis, uncertainty, treatment, bitterness, fear, isolation, and so many other emotions. I’ve often said that rowing (and the RowErg in particular) became my not-so-secret weapon in my battle with a rare form of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Rowing has not ‘played a role’ in my recovery and personal growth, it has DEFINED them both. My Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma battle during 2019 and 2020 was complicated further by a serious and prolonged battle with Covid-19, which seriously impacted my lungs and heart. I am confident that my daily Erg sessions were the most important aspect of my eventual recovery!

Shari: One of the first questions I asked my health care providers after getting the diagnosis was, “when will I be able to row again?” I could not get an answer, but I knew I had to figure it out. Since I had a lung lobe removed, it was a slow process to gain back breathing and endurance. But I have no doubt that if I did not have the motivation to return to rowing, I may well never have returned to my current level of fitness.

JL Racing: What is something unexpected that rowing has taught you about yourself?

Dale: Rowing has taught me not to impose limits on myself and to welcome the challenges. One quote I embrace is, "There is no dishonor in losing the race, there is only dishonor in not racing because you are afraid to lose," from The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. 

Dan: Rowing has taught me so many things about myself, it’s hard to pick just one or two. It has taught me that just because we mark the passage of time with a birthday every year, it does NOT mean we have to give up on making goals that are physically demanding. Yes, we compete against each other to whatever level we choose in this sport, but we also compete against ourselves. The first part of that challenge is simply to show up, rather than to give up.

Napoleon: Rowing has taught me that resilience isn’t just about pushing through physical pain—it’s about mastering patience and trust. Coming from a track and field background, I was used to instant results and personal control over my performance. But rowing forced me to embrace delayed gratification, teamwork, and the discipline of refining technique over time. I’ve learned that true endurance is as mental as it is physical, and that growth often comes from surrendering to the process rather than forcing the outcome.

JL Racing: What was your first experience on the water like?

Dale: My very first time on the water was in a double with my coach from an indoor rowing gym in Philadelphia called RowZone. After erging intensely for about 18 months and competing at CRASH-Bs, he offered to take me out on the water. It was Mother's Day, a perfect Sunday in May, and I realized how healing being outside on the water was. The sounds of the running river, the swoosh of the blades through the water, the sights of the water life - the turtles, herons, ducks, kingfishers, and other shorebirds, the occasional muskrat or river otter, and the feel of the warm sun or even light rain on my face all contribute to create calm and inner peace. That experience on Mother’s Day with my coach literally changed my life, and when I bought my single several years later I named my boat for him.

Dan: I can’t honestly say I recall my first experience on the water. I do recall being in an 8+ within a couple weeks of my learn-to-row, being somewhat intimidated by the coxswain confidently barking commands, only a few of which I understood. I recall assuming that most others in the boat were so much more knowledgeable and capable than I was, and that I’d never get to their level. Yet I do also recall the freedom and peace we had out on the lake, away from cell phones and televisions, away from email, away from everything except a few others and nature. 

Napoleon: It was going well the first day until I glanced down while I was resting between pieces and saw a stingray maybe 3 feet below my single. I instantly asked myself “Why am I do this”? I then replied to myself, “because you have always wanted to learn to row so row.

JL Racing: What does it mean to you to be competing at the San Diego Crew Classic as a survivor and as part of SRN?

Dale: When I began rowing, I concentrated on sculling. At the time I believe SDCC was exclusively for 8+s and so I assumed it was one experience I’d never have. Including the survivor event and sculling entries opened up the possibility to compete at SDCC. I’m grateful for the opportunity. 

Dan: I recall learning about SRN very late in 2023, wishing I had had the chance to be in their inaugural showing at the Head of the Charles. To be fully candid, I thought SRN was something only for female breast cancer survivors, so I was reluctant to even reach out at first. This past indoor season, I’ve finally been able to contribute to both the rowing and cancer communities in a way that feels uniquely special to me. Being able to row in the Crew Classic and to meet in person with so many who logged meters during our January team challenge, it will be a special honor.

Shari: I am thrilled to be participating in the first regatta with survivor events on the West Coast. Icing on the cake is that ROWsist, the program I started, will be participating in our first regatta.

Napoleon: Competing at the San Diego Crew Classic as a survivor and as part of the Survivor Rowing Network is incredibly meaningful to me. As a cancer survivor, every stroke on the water is a reminder of resilience, strength, and the journey I’ve taken to get here. Rowing is more than just competition—it’s a testament to overcoming challenges, both physically and mentally.

Being part of the Survivor Rowing Network makes the experience even more powerful. It’s not just about personal victories; it’s about representing a community of individuals who have fought battles beyond the boat. We’re proving that survivorship is not just about getting through treatment, it’s about thriving, pushing limits, and inspiring others to reclaim their strength.

The San Diego Crew Classic is one of the most prestigious regattas in the country, and having the opportunity to race on this stage as a survivor underscores the importance of visibility and representation. It’s a chance to show others facing similar struggles that there is life, strength, and even high-level competition beyond a diagnosis. It’s about making an impact, breaking barriers, and reminding people that they are not alone in their fight.

JL Racing: Are there any personal goals or team aspirations you have for this year's San Diego Crew Classic?

Dale: My personal goal is to have fun and meet some new people. Our team goal for SRN is to inspire more survivors who may be intimidated to give rowing a try, and to inspire more clubs to include survivor rowing as part of their programs.

Dan: My personal goals on the water haven’t really every changed – to get better, improve my technique, and if those things happen, then I’ll get faster. Since it’s such a team-focused activity, it’s my primary goal to be a useful member of whatever team I’m assigned to, in whatever boat or seat they need me in. I’ll let the coach decide whatever he or she thinks is best for the team, and I’ll leave my individual goals for my indoor Erg competitions.

Shari: My hope is that the ROWsist athletes have the time of their lives at their first regatta.

Napoleon: I just want to execute my race to the best of my ability regardless of what seat or boat I am in. To truly have fun and form some new bonds with fellow survivors and rowers on and off the water.

JL Racing: Can you share a memorable moment from your time with SRN, whether in training, racing, or bonding with teammates?

Dale: WeCanRow Philadelphia was started in 2018 by a young woman, Sam Ainuddin, who had been part of WeCanRow Boston and wanted to create a similar program in Philly. She lost her battle with cancer in 2020 and we named one of our boats for her. The boat naming ceremony brought together her family, her WeCanRow teammates, and the larger rowing community. It was an opportunity to acknowledge our loss and grief, but also to celebrate the tremendous gift she had given to all of us by bringing survivor rowing to Philadelphia.

Dan: The most impactful moment I’ve had since learning about SRN was listening to the speeches and personal stories shared as part of the USRowing luncheon at Head of the Charles Regatta 2024. I joked with Beth Kohl afterwards that SRN should have handed out tissues. I hadn’t expected to become so emotional, realizing that so many others feel exactly the same way I do about rowing and its contribution to my recovery from such serious health challenges.

Shari: My most memorable moment is arriving at the SRN tent at the Head of the Charles in 2023. There I got to meet the amazing women I had trained with virtually for months. Although we had never met in person, it was like we had known each other for decades.

Napoleon: My two most memorable moments with SRN being asked to speak at the Head of The Charles in 2023 at the survivor’s brunch and speaking to a group of fellow rowing survivors from France and others from all of the USA, and in 2024 being able to interview Beth Kohl on the podcast Ready Row USA that I am the host of.

JL Racing: What would you say to someone who is considering getting involved in rowing, especially fellow survivors looking for a new challenge or community?

Dale: If you are intimidated, or doubt your ability to learn a new sport, you are not alone. Every novice shares the same hesitation. Cancer may have taken away some confidence, but also gives the realization that embracing new opportunities can bring joy, purpose, and meaning to life.

Dan: This is the easiest question of all... because I have said this so many times, to so many people. In my experience, I’ve found that rowing is so much more than a sport. So much more than physical fitness. So much more than a community of like-minded people. It is a mindset of possibilities, challenging oneself to always improve, and working with others in ways that I’ve not experienced in other aspects of my life.

Napoleon: I’d say go for it! Rowing is one of the most inclusive and rewarding sports out there. Whether you're looking for a new challenge, a fresh start, or a supportive community, rowing has something to offer.

For fellow survivors, I understand the journey of rebuilding—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Rowing gives you a chance to push yourself, rediscover your strength, and find a team that truly has your back. The rhythm of the stroke, the power of moving together, and the peace of being on the water can be healing in ways you might not expect.

Plus, the rowing community is incredibly welcoming. No matter what your background, fitness level, or experience, there’s a seat in the boat for you. If you're curious, find a local club, try an indoor rowing class, or reach out to survivor-focused rowing groups like the Survivors Rowing Network. You’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish.

JL Racing: What’s something you wish more people understood about the experience of survivor-athletes in rowing?

Dale: I wish people understood that for survivor-athletes, the actual rowing is only a small part of the experience. That the main point to participate in survivor rowing are the bonds we form with each other, the lifelong friendships, and the support system. 

Dan: I wish more people would stop focusing on the ‘survivor’ aspect, and instead simply recognize participants as athletes. There will always be someone stronger, faster, better – history has proven this time and time again, but I just love seeing people who may have been sedentary for any period of time starting to become active again. If we could bottle the feeling that kids have when they are heading out for recess in grade school, and dispense that to adults instead of prescription medication, I think most people would be much better off.

Shari: During introductions at her first ROWsist practice, one of the survivors commented that she had never had an opportunity to talk about her cancer outside of her family. Survivor rowing is as much about the supportive community as it is the sport.

Napoleon: I wish more people understood that survivor-athletes in rowing—whether overcoming cancer, injuries, or other life-altering challenges—bring a different level of grit, gratitude, and perspective to the sport. The mental and physical toll of surviving something life-threatening fundamentally changes how we approach training, competition, and even setbacks.

For many of us, every stroke is a reminder of what we’ve fought through and what we’re still capable of. It’s not just about winning races; it’s about proving to ourselves that we’re still here, still strong, and still pushing forward. I think people sometimes underestimate the invisible battles survivor-athletes fight—like the long-term effects of treatment, chronic fatigue, or the mental scars of our experiences.

Rowing is already a physically demanding sport, but for survivor athletes, it’s also an act of reclaiming our bodies and our power. I’d love to see more awareness and support for athletes in this space, whether through adaptive training programs, better recognition of the challenges we face, or simply a greater understanding that resilience isn’t just about showing up, it’s about how we keep pushing through, one stroke at a time.

JL Racing: Is there anything else you’d like to share about your journey, your experience with SRN, or what this race means to you?

Dale: WeCanRow Philadelphia and Survivor Rowing Network brought the “pink sisterhood” back into my life. And so I’ve come full circle. I’d like to create that experience for other women.

Dan: I can’t wait until the time when so many survivors are rowing, that every regatta in the world offers a similar opportunity for newly minted survivor rowers.

The Survivor Rowing Network Pre-Order Store will be open March 18-April 3. 10% of net sales from this pre-order store will be donated to SRN.

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