Meet the older Australians riding waves and rowing rivers to stay fit and connected

From surfing the waves to paddling along the powerful Fitzroy River, people in Queensland, Australia are discovering creative ways to keep active as they grow older. While physical activity is key to maintaining good health, experts highlight that the social connections formed by exercising with friends are equally vital for overall well-being. Every week, the “Gold Coast Granny Grommets” meet to surf waves and age gracefully. “We've got a group of about five of us that come every week without fail and get in the cold water regardless of the temperature,” says surfer Caroline Holliday. Surfing in their sixties, they understand the benefit of being active. “I think you have to make it a priority every day. So, for me, I train every day in some way or other, and this is just a really good, fun way of doing it,” explains surfer Lesley Vick. “Having that connection is very, very important. It probably outweighs the physical, though that’s really important too,” says Holliday. Beyond the clear physical advantages, researchers suggest that working out in a group can play a crucial role in encouraging older adults to maintain long-term activity and can also help prevent feelings of loneliness. “The social support and being with others increases our mood and our mental health as well. So, it ticks two boxes if you can get out, get active and get active with others,” says Dr. Stephanie Alley of Central Queensland University. These friends from Rockhampton have taken up rowing to stay fit in their sixties. “It's very hard to injure yourself, and as you get older, that's really important,” says rower Stuart Kininmonth. But for the Fitzroy Fossils, it’s not just about staying physically fit. “The beauty of rowing in a boat, it's a team sport, so you get the opportunity to be with people, you’re doing something that's a collective endeavor,” concludes rower Simon Irwin. This article was provided by The Associated Press.