She had all of the horrible symptoms that come with chemotherapy, but despite her cancer diagnosis and becoming very sick and weak, she and her team managed to win a silver medal at the recent DHL Lifesaving South Africa National Championships held at King’s Beach.
With the title of the world’s oldest competing surfboat rower at 50 years, Jenn Seady from Amsterdamhoek in the Bay, has lived through two of the toughest years of her life, but refused to give up on life, or competing for that matter.
Seady said that she lives for her sport and explained that surfboats were used decades ago to rescue people in distress out at sea.
You row a 300kg boat from shore to the “cans” 400m out, do a pivot turn and slog back to shore. The four rowers have to jump into the boat all at the same time, as fast as possible, row through the breaking surf, get to the can, turn around and row back.
This is not only a dangerous sport but one that requires massive physical strength, so when chemo started to make her very ill, Seady decided to manifest things and told herself out loud that she would be competing this year.
“I worked my butt off for this position. I forced myself to eat, and eat well. Food is fuel. I kept staying so focused on rowing nationals this year it almost became an obsession. I needed to do this.”
Second bow rower Seady explained that, apart from her illness, her teammates also had their fair share of challenges, with captain, Kayla Greyling, having a broken toe, second stroke rower, Jess de Vos, becoming pre-diabetic due to PCOS, and bow position, Jackie Brunette, still recently recovering from a broken arm. The only person that remained healthy was Tameez de Vos, who is the sweep and steers the boat.
“It took determination on another level to achieve what we did, and my team rowed like superstars,” she said.
Seady explained that she knew something was wrong when she noticed a lump on her left breast at the end of 2021 that eventually grew so large it was visible through her skin.
Scans confirmed that it was breast cancer.
“I knew it. This was obviously very disappointing, as I had so many sporting goals for last year as well as a trip to Istanbul planned for my 50th, but life had other ideas.
“I started chemo. My very, very long straight black hair that I loved fell out. I felt ill most of the time and the nausea is on another level. Your body is weak and you are scared. Chemo is terrible, terrible, terrible.
“I was permanently tired, had mouth sores, couldn’t eat, and everything tasted so bad. I actually feel sick just thinking about it. Eventually I did my last chemo, middle December 2022, and was operated on in January 2023. I start radiation [this] week,” she said.
When asked how she still managed to train and participate in the competition whilst being so sick, Seady said that her team let her row when she could and all safety precautions were taken to ensure that she stayed healthy, and there were no injuries due to her lack of strength.
“It was really scary and I often thought that I was crazy to want to row so badly, but I continued. When we were called up to receive our medals, I became totally overwhelmed and ugly – cried like a baby. It took so much to get to that podium. My Bluewater Bay A team has been amazing, and each member brings something unique to the team,” she said.
“Cancer has taught me many life lessons. People are important. Ensure that you are present and enjoy here and now. Surround yourself with the best people.
Life is short and precious. Don’t give up on yourself or your goals. A positive mindset will help you beat anything.
