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On Saturday, September 7, 2024, over 330 rowing enthusiasts in 83 boats took part in the "Rowing against Cancer" charity regatta. The event was organized for the 13th time by the Foundation Leben mit Krebs, the Rudergesellschaft Heidelberg 1898 (RGH) and the NCT Heidelberg. In glorious summer weather, the focus was less on sporting records and more on the good cause: making exercise visible as part of the fight against cancer and collecting donations for the sports and exercise programs of the NCT Heidelberg. Both were a complete success - the regatta village enjoyed great popularity with numerous information and hands-on stands, and an impressive 90,000 euros in donations were raised.

The support for cancer patients motivated the teams immensely: the amateur rowers in the four-person boats gave their all and delivered exciting races for the spectators, where experienced rowers could admire new, unusual stroke techniques. For Joachim Wiskemann, organizer of the regatta and head of the Oncological Sports and Exercise Therapy working group at the NCT Heidelberg and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), this is precisely what makes the event so appealing. He says: "We want an event where everyone can take part and get involved for a good cause. Rowing against cancer is not about who has the most rowing experience or the greatest sporting talent. Enjoying exercise helps everyone, and we can show this with the charity regatta and raise awareness of the benefits for people affected by cancer."

The winning teams in five categories were crowned in a total of 52 races, which included heats, heats of hope and finals:

• Women's class (4 women): Team Ordnung - Stadt Heidelberg
• Mixed class men (1 woman/3 men): Ritterhaus two - RITTERSHAUS Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater PartmbB, Mannheim
• Mixed class (2 women/2 men): AffiRowers - Affimed GmbH, Heidelberg
• Men's class (4 men): Kraftakt - Private Unterstützer
• Mixed class women (1 man/3 women): OnkoAktiv 1 - OnkoAktiv am NCT Heidelberg e.V.

There were also three boats from the OnkoKids, whose motto "Du musst käpfen" ("You have to fight") applied particularly to the races. They pushed themselves to the limit and put in a great performance.

The event was made possible by around 200 helpers, who provided support from A to Z, as well as around 100 participants at the twenty or so information stands and hands-on activities. The organizers had also put together a three-hour stage program with interviews, dance, music and yoga. Patron Manfred Lautenschläger and Thomas Bellut, Chairman of the Foundation Leben mit Krebs, were among the guests there and explained why rowing against cancer is an important event for them. With long jumper Simon Batz, long jumper Mikaelle Assani and canoeist Saeid Fazloula, athletes from Team Paris of the Metropolregion Rhein-Neckar were also on site. They talked about their experiences and adventures at the Olympic Games and were available to sign autographs afterwards.

This year, the rowing ergometers were an absolute attraction among the hands-on activities. Heidelberger Volksbank donated one euro for every 100 Meters rowed. One girl was so motivated that she rowed 30 kilometers in one go to collect donations for the NCT Heidelberg.