Feb 14 β€’ 19:00 UTC πŸ‡¦πŸ‡Ί Australia Guardian Australia

I took up paddleboarding in my 60s. Now I feel calm in the water and strong on land

A woman in her 60s reflects on her journey of taking up paddleboarding as a means to enhance her strength and wellness in later life.

The article shares the personal experience of a 66-year-old woman who decided to take up paddleboarding as a way to improve her physical health and well-being. Despite her grandsons teasingly declaring her 'ancient', she embraces an active lifestyle, recognizing that walking alone isn't enough to maintain her strength, balance, and core stability as she ages. With a paddleboard she originally purchased for fun, she reflects on her past challenges, including periods of inactivity caused by floods and winter weather, which led to her board gathering dust in the boat shed.

With renewed motivation brought by sunny weather, the woman recounts the thrill of returning to her paddleboard after a long hiatus. Her journey showcases not just the physical aspect of paddleboarding but the mental clarity and sense of peace it provides her while on the water. She describes the gentle wobbling of the board beneath her as a metaphor for her re-engagement with physical activity, illustrating the balance required in both paddleboarding and in navigating the phases of life as one ages.

This narrative serves as positive reinforcement for individuals in similar age brackets considering physical activities that promote health in later life. By sharing her story, the woman hopes to inspire others to find their own paths to fitness and wellness, emphasizing that it's never too late to try something new and reap the associated benefits, both physically and mentally.

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