91-Year-Old Sea Swimmer Bev Evans: A Splash of Inspiration!

Meet Bev Evans: The 91-Year-Old Sea Swimmer

Bev Evans is turning 92 this September, and she’s not slowing down anytime soon. Despite a few hospital visits over the past years, she remains an enthusiastic sea swimmer. Her bright and bubbly personality is a testament to how staying active as you age can significantly enhance both physical and mental health.

Staying Active with a Passion for Swimming

I’ve loved swimming since I was a little girl. My parents had a beach house at Cornwallis Beach, and that’s where my passion began. Even at 91, that love hasn’t faded. I try to go swimming every day during the warmer months.

Swimming: A Social Affair

The company I keep varies from day to day. There’s a group of us who have been swimming together for years, and we often meet up at the beach. It’s become a social event for us – we even have an annual gathering or barbecue on the beach. Having lived in the Kohimarama area of East Auckland since I was 20, I know many people around here. Now, I reside at St Andrew’s Retirement Village, which is close by, making it easy to get to the beach.

If no one is available to go with me, my son takes me, as I sometimes struggle to get in and out of the water. But even if I’m alone, I can always ask for help. My balance isn’t what it used to be, and the wet sand can be a bit uneven and soft.

Seasonal Swimming

I don’t swim in the sea all year round. It gets too cold in winter, so I usually stop around May and start again in November. However, I know an 85-year-old lady who swims all year – she lives just across the road from the beach; I think she’s marvelous! This year, I plan to do aqua aerobics at the pool at Sacred Heart College during the winter. I’ve done it before, and it was a good experience.

Swimming Over Walking

These days, I find swimming much easier than walking. You don’t need the same balance, and the water supports you. I’ve had a couple of falls, so I need to be careful now. I’ve always loved the sea. My husband and I were both very fond of fishing, and we’d often wheel the dinghy out at Kohi Beach to fish. I can’t do that these days, of course, but I can still swim, and I just love it.

The Health Benefits of Swimming

Swimming has definite health benefits for me – it’s like therapy, and I think it keeps me fit and healthy. I’ve had a couple of major bowel cancer operations, and I’ve recovered well from both. Last year, when I had to have the second operation, I didn’t even need chemotherapy or a colostomy bag. Maybe that’s all due to keeping fit. I’m having a better year this year. Last year, I fractured my pelvis and had to spend a month in hospital, but I’ve come out of that alright, and I’m still able to swim, so that’s good.

A Healthy Lifestyle

I’ve always been reasonably healthy. My husband and I have always been keen gardeners and used to grow plenty of fruit and vegetables to eat, which probably helped. I’ve been pretty active for as long as I can remember. I’ll be 92 in September, so I suppose I’m doing okay, aren’t I?

For more on the benefits of swimming, check out this authoritative resource.