By JOLENE OGLE
MOTIVATED by his own personal loss, local businessman Lachlan Stevens is determined to help cancer survivors regain their confidence and get back out into the world.
Owner of Boardwalk Boats, Lachlan has experienced the devastation of cancer in his family and said he wanted to give back to the community by offering free therapeutic recreation for breast cancer survivors.
“We’ve already done about 10 to 15 sessions already and it’s going really well,” he said.
“There are the initial jitters when the women come along, but once they are out there on the (stand-up paddle) boards, they have a great time laughing and enjoying the social interaction.”
Along with National Breast Cancer Foundation Sunshine Coast chair and breast cancer survivor Sandra Harding and her daughter Brianna, Lachlan offers kayaking and stand-up paddle (SUP) board sessions for breast cancer survivors.
Sandra said the sessions were a great form of therapy, bringing women out of their comfort zone and welcoming women through all stages of breast cancer.
“Some of the women who come along are receiving treatment and this gives them something to focus on rather than focus from one appointment to the next,” she said.
“Instead, you can focus on the beautiful surrounds of Noosa.”
Sandra said SUP boarding is much easier than it looked and once you get the hang of it, it was just great fun.
“And you don’t feel sore the next day,” she said.
The therapeutic recreation sessions for breast cancer survivors are held at Boardwalk Boats, Sheraton Jetty, Noosa Parade every Wednesday morning from 7.30am, except for school and public holidays.
The sessions are free for breast cancer survivors and all are welcome to come along and enjoy.
