. >> reporter: for shawn maloney, he never dreamed he would be here. >> if you asked me if i would be here eight years ago, at the time going through renal failure and dialysis and kidney transplant. >> reporter: now surrounded by all of these teams, they will hit the charles to compete. while they just started training a few weeks ago, their bond is stronger than most. >> it's nice when you have a group of guys that work on a job together and compete together, too. >> reporter: an amazing feat for these guys who have seen it all but come race day, don't ask them to see anything but the water. if you are rowing and in the middle of the race you see somebody committing a crime on the banks there, do you have to stop and spring into action? >> i'm focused on the rowing. my head's in the boat. i don't think i'll be looking around to see what some knucklehead is doing. >> reporter: it's safe to say they will turn a blind eye to they will be nervous, too. they admit that. they want to inspire firefighters to get a boat next year and have a real competition with them. the question is, what