Casting for Recovery New Zealand Retreat

Organisor Sherrie Feickert wearing the CFR gear with a Temple Fork rod designed by legendary US angler Lefty Kreh in conjuction with Donna Teeny and line designed by Jim Teeny.

Photo courtesy Rotorua Daily Post

Casting for Recovery (CFR) provides retreats at no cost to participants, which allow people whose lives have been profoundly affected by breast cancer to gather in a beautiful, natural setting and learn to fly fish.

It offers participants an opportunity to experience the peace and solitude and the chance to be in the moment that fly fishing provides. The retreat also incorporates a range of other services to promote mental and physical well-being.

Next retreat	Apply now for the first retreat: 12-14 Feb 2010 in Rotorua.
Eligibility and selection	The Casting for Recovery retreat accommodates 14 participants who have or have had breast cancer. You need not ever have picked up a rod in your life and only need to get to the location in Rotorua. Once there, you will be outfitted with fly fishing gear from head to toe for use for the duration of the retreat. The selection of the 14 participants from all those applying is through a random lottery. The only condition is that you provide a medical certificate that confirms you are fit to participate.
Apply now	Apply now by completing the application form and submitting it by post, fax or email. (The application form is a Microsoft Word document that you can either print or complete online.) Applications for the next retreat will open in July 2010
Contact	Sherrie Feickert Executive Director, CFR New Zealand 13 Westlock Rd, Rotorua Phone/Fax: +64 7 348 6919 Mobile: 021 774 751 Email: sherrie@castingforrecovery.org.nz On the web: CFR NZ: www.castingforrecovery.org.nz (you are here) CFR International: www. castingforrecovery.org
Staffing	Retreats are staffed by trained women volunteers. There are fly fishing instructors, as well as professional medical and psychosocial volunteers who provide education and support at the retreat.
Content	You will be immersed in the world of fly fishing for two and a half days, learning to cast, tie the basic knots and all about the bugs - what fish eat. On the last day of the retreat, you'll be in the water practicing catch and release fishing assisted by CFR staff and men and women volunteers from the Rotorua Anglers Club, Eastern region Fish & Game and O’Keefe’s Fishing Specialists tackle shop. Note that you are free to participate at whatever level you feel comfortable and are free to break from any activity.
Other services	In addition to fly fishing experts, participants will have access to a range of services offering: Life coaching, EFT coaching and massage therapy Homeopathy Beauty, spa and massage therapy Reflexology and aromatherapy Lymphoedema specialist massage therapy Styling consultancy Hair piece restyling and refurbishment
Lodgings	Expect to feel pampered. You'll be provided with very comfortable accommodation (maybe sharing with one other woman) in a relaxing, natural environment. All meals and refershments are provided and they'll be low fat with lot of fruit and vegetables.
Video	Watch a short video clip and listen to women talk about what the American programme of Casting for Recovery has meant for them and their families. See what is involved and hear how this progamme, made possible by many volunteers and sponsors, has had a profound effect on women recovering from breast cancer.
Sponsorship and support	As the program is non-profit and offered at no cost to the participants, CFR relies on the generosity of individual donors, foundation grants, companies and organizations. If there is any way you can help with loans or gifts of fishing gear, outdoor clothing, or any other good or services, please contact Sherrie at CFR.
Make a donation	You can make a donation to the Casting for Recovery NZ Charitable Trust (CFR) using internet banking or by lodging a deposit at any Kiwibank branch. The Kiwibank account number is 39 9009 0363036 00. All donations are fully tax deductible. If you email Sherrie with your address, your donation will be acknowledged with a receipt and certificate of donation from the trust (by post or by email).
Tie some flies	Next time you're at your fly-tying bench, how about tying a couple of extra flies to donate for use at the CFR retreat. (Barbless flies are preferred to facilitate catch and release.) CFR needs summer patterns for the Rotorua lake area especially the Waiteti, Ngongotaha, Awahou and Hamurana areas. All donations will be gratefully received and acknowledged. Please send flies to: Sherrie Feickert Executive Director, CFR New Zealand 13 Westlock Rd Rotorua
Who'll be there	The following supporters of the inaugural Casting for Recovery retreat in New Zealand will be present: Peggy Miskin, Northern California Program Coordinator (volunteer) Sally Stoner, famous BOW, CFR and casting coach Lynda Topp (also known as Ken the Fly Fishing Farmer)
Special offer to CFR alumni	Come fishing with a CFR Accredited Fly Gal Pal If you are a CFR alumni and plan to come to New Zealand, the women at CFR New Zealand offer to take you fishing and accommodate your needs. These are people who are passionate about fishing. If no-one is available at the time, or if you'd prefer a professional guide, they can assist you with a guide from the New Zealand Professional Fly Fishing Guides Association (NZPFGA).
Zero Limits	CFR globally practises compulsory catch and release and the education of humanely releasing trout with soft nets and barbless hooks. CFR also teaches the concept of leaving no footprint on our pristine waterways and so has been awarded the sustainable tourism tick of approval.
Endorsement for CFR NZ	"I heartily support Casting for Recovery as one of the best programs for breast cancer survivors that I know." Susan Love, MD Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation
Message from John Key, PM	Trout Fishing and Recovery from Breast Cancer in New Zealand As a keen trout fisherman and the Minister of Tourism it is my great pleasure to encourage you to enjoy some of the best trout fishing in the world. Breast cancer affects a growing number of women and recovery from treatment can be a long and sometimes traumatic experience. It’s great to see organisations like Casting For Recovery running innovative programmes that help breast cancer sufferers get better while teaching them one of the world’s most relaxing and rewarding pastimes. New Zealand is world-renowned for our trout fishing. Our sparkling rivers and lakes, our healthy trout fisheries, and our fantastic scenery complement our warm Kiwi hospitality and the wide range of facilities available for our visitors. If ever there was a part of the world designed to help people recover from an illness – while making them feel at home – it must surely be in New Zealand. Best wishes and happy fishing! Hon John Key Prime Minister Minister of Tourism
International organisation	Casting for Recovery was founded in the USA in 1996 and has its headquarters in Manchester Vermont. See www.castingforrecovery.org for more details.