Many of us lament the fact that kids seem to be getting older younger, but the flip side is that adults are staying younger longer.
With life expectancy in New Zealand increasing by almost 20% every two years it is little wonder that more people are continuing to enjoy a wide range of sports and activities well into their later years.
The average Kiwi is living a decade longer than they did 40 years ago and average life expectancy sitting at just over 82 years old, so the phrase “40 is the new 30” will soon be replaced by “60 is the new 40”. In fact there has possibly never been a better time for those over 65 to take up a new sport or go back to something they haven’t played since primary school. They will have literally decades to perfect their skills, develop competitive prowess and make new friends.
Locally, there are a number of excellent sports clubs and organisations that have rich histories and thriving memberships that are worth checking out. They all offer options for both beginners and those with more experience. You can learn to sail, join a competitive petanque team, or perfect your tennis serve at one of the many clubs just a stone’s throw away from Ponsonby’s main strip. We talked to members of the West End Tennis Club, the Herne Bay Petanque Club, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and the Ponsonby Cruising Club to find out what those over 65 can expect.
David Wells - veteran member of West End Tennis Club
Playing tennis with the “Grumpy Old Men” at 8.00am weekdays is something senior business Broker for NAI Harcourts, David Wells, makes sure he fits into his busy schedule each week. “The Grumpies are an eclectic group. Intelligent, well educated, with totally different backgrounds and occupations. Tennis and gender are probably the only things we have in common,” says David. “We have some very interesting conversations between sets and after games on all sorts of topics; books, films, plays, politics, sport, restaurants, and art.”
It’s the combination of overall fitness as well as the social connection that David believes makes tennis at your local club such a great option. “I jog as well as play tennis, but I prefer tennis. Jogging on your own can be very boring, and mainly just exercises your legs but with tennis you are running, jumping and swinging your arms. It tunes up your reflexes and your hand eye coordination. There’s fresh air and sunshine; it’s just a much more complete exercise. Far better (and cheaper) than going to the gym,” he enthuses.
While David played tennis as a kid at school he believes it’s the kind of sport you can easily take up at any age. In fact many of the veteran players at West End Tennis Club only took up tennis in their more mature years. It’s a club that is really welcoming to new players and there is coaching and support for those that are completely new to the game as well as those who are wanting to brush up on their skills.
This is echoed by Paul Priddey and Malcolm Woolmore, who along with Peter Calder, form the Grumpies.
Robyn Chalmers - Herne Bay Petanque Club
Robyn Chalmers joined the Herne Bay Petanque club over a decade ago when she needed a low impact sport to satisfy her naturally competitive nature. “I’d played lots of different sports, including representative netball for Auckland minor and tennis for Australasian tournaments and I’m still sailing and various other things,” explained Robyn. “But I like competition, and with petanque you have to strategise to win.”
Petanque is a game with a long and rich history, even though it is relatively new to New Zealand. “Petanque is challenging, but it’s a good low impact sport. A lot of people started doing things like pickle ball and next minute ended up jumping round and pulling tendons,” says Robyn. “It’s a more accessible sport as it uses a smaller lighter ball and you don’t need to bend completely down to the ground like bowls to play the game effectively. Provided one can walk and has reasonable balance, petanque can be enjoyed for many years. We have a number of regular players in their 80s, and some members over 90.”
For Robyn it is not just the skill, strategy and competitive thrill of the sport that has made her such a fan, it’s also the social side of the game and how inclusive it is to all ages. “It’s a very good sport for socialising and sharing. There are a lot of people at the club; men and women and even grandchildren. My grandsons came and played during the holidays. It’s very much linked in with my grandson’s basketball skills. Once I showed him how to hold the ball he was just so natural, being able to lob it up and fade it really well.”
Robyn has played and joined games with people of all ages from all over the world as well as throughout New Zealand, joining games in France, Thailand and on the foreshore of New Caledonia. “You don’t need a language, you can just play,” she says.
Herne Bay Petanque Club encourages people to just turn up to join and learn to play. They have club days most Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9.15am - 12pm and on Fridays from 4pm till late during summer months and as Robyn points out, it’s easy to learn the basics so you can be playing and enjoying the game in no time.
With a calendar of social events and opportunities to meet and play with other club members the Herne Bay Petanque Club is a great option for active locals 65+ (and younger). “I joined Petanque, along with other local organisations, with the purpose of getting to know my neighbourhood, and it has worked. I look forward to Tuesdays and Thursdays when I can play petanque with all sorts of men and women from the club and I have formed some lasting friendships.”
Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and the Ponsonby Cruising Club
Both the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS) and the Ponsonby Cruising Club (PCC) are steeped in sailing history, with both clubs offering a range of sailing and social activities for members 65+. RNZYS is the country’s largest sailing club and official home of the America’s Cup, while the PCC is our oldest sailing club. This year the PCC will be holding the 100th Anniversary of the Lipton Cup – the oldest yachting trophy in New Zealand.
For the PCC it is about respecting tradition, maintaining a commitment to its nautical heritage, and always being the friendly home of racing, cruising and sail training. With courses for everyone from 9-90 years, this is a club keen to help locals of all ages learn or update their skills and be able to experience the joy of sailing. It’s something they believe that once you have a taste for it, it’s likely to stick. “Our members are a loyal bunch; once they join, they stay and grow old with us,” says Dorothee Lampee of the Ponsonby Cruising Club.
If ever there was a time to get into sailing, it’s now, and age is no barrier. With the Prada Cup being held in the Hauraki Gulf until February 22nd and the America’s Cup due to start on March 6th just becoming a member of one of these clubs to watch and share the excitement seems like a great idea. Anecdotally we are told that marine activities across the board are enjoying a sharp increase in popularity, especially with older age groups, and these two local clubs offer those 65+ a broad range of social and sailing opportunities.
Older competitive sailors are well catered for by the RNZYS who run literally thousands of races in a year.
“There is an endless amount of sailing to get involved in for our 65+ members, and you will find they are involved in a real mix of sailing events, with many being keen sailors since they were much younger,” explains RNZYS communications manager Andrew Delves. “However, some are either newer to the sport or tired of the competitive side of sailing, and that’s when our Havana Club Rum Racing and PIC Insurance Brokers Cruising Series become popular options.”
Rum Racing is ideal for the less competitive 65+ members as it is a much more relaxed approach to racing. Held every Friday afternoon and often done with a beer or glass of wine in hand. The cruising races are incredibly popular with the over 65’s. Held on Saturdays they include a casual race to a Hauraki Gulf Island destination, followed by a get-together with a BBQ and drinks on the beach. Many then stay overnight and cruise back home on Sunday!
With a range of social activities, fun regattas and sailing events the PCC and the RNZYS are local treasures and becoming a member of either club is a fantastic way to be part of New Zealand sailing history. “It’s genuinely never too late to get involved in sailing,” says Andrew. “The options for sailing and boating in Auckland and throughout New Zealand are endless, so why wouldn’t you want to enjoy it, even if you’re starting late!”.
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