Paddleboarding at 66: A Journey of Strength and Serenity on the Hawkesbury
In her sixties, Joanne Karcz discovered a newfound passion that transformed her approach to ageing and fitness. Living by the Hawkesbury River, she turned to paddleboarding as a way to enhance her physical and mental wellbeing, proving it is never too late to embrace a new challenge.
From Wobbly Beginnings to Confident Strokes
Joanne Karcz took up paddleboarding in her 60s, initially facing a shaky start. At 66, she acknowledges that while walking daily kept her reasonably active, recent articles on ageing well highlighted the need for more focused efforts on strength, balance, and core stability. "Walking isn't sufficient," she admits, noting that short daily routines or gym visits did not appeal to her. Instead, she found her solution in a paddleboard stored unused in her boat shed, purchased years earlier but neglected due to flooding events that turned the river a foul brown and winter conditions.
With the return of sunny mornings and calm waters, Joanne decided to revive her paddleboarding aspirations. Hauling the long, unwieldy board into the shallow river, she carefully knelt on it, feeling it wobble gently under her weight. The real test came as she clenched her jaw to stand up, placing her feet gingerly and pulling herself upright amidst perilous rocking before the board settled.
Navigating Challenges and Finding Rhythm
On her first outing, Joanne faced immediate obstacles. As she tentatively paddled forward, she remained alert to approaching boats whose wake threatened her precarious balance. Spotting a bloom of jelly blubber—a type of jellyfish—gliding gracefully beneath the surface, she turned back to avoid a potential sting and fall. The next day, with no jellyfish in sight, she aimed to paddle 3km around Dangar Island. Settling into a rhythm, she glided past moored watercraft but made the mistake of looking around, causing her to topple into the river with a splash.
Spluttering and wet, Joanne grabbed the board's handhold and heaved herself back on, flopping like a seal. This fall, however, eliminated her fear of the water. As she resumed paddling, a ferry approached, sending waves that made her wobble, but she dug her paddle in for support and stayed upright. Growing more confident, she tuned into her surroundings: reflections of boats rippling in the water, yachts' riggings tinkling in the breeze, and sunlight streaming across the river like gold.
Building Strength and Embracing the Activity
Facing the tide on her return journey, Joanne worked harder, with perspiration dripping down her back. Eventually, her paddleboard crunched onto a shelly beach, marking the completion of her island circuit. Each day, her confidence and strength increased. When a large cruiser passed, instead of dropping to her knees, she weathered big waves and miraculously stayed upright, noting improvements in her balance.
Weather conditions sometimes hindered paddleboarding, with rough water, wind, or deluges turning the river brown and prompting warnings of bull sharks. During these times, Joanne walked instead, missing the water. But when conditions cleared, she returned to the board with ease, standing up effortlessly and paddling around the island without issues.
A Transformative Impact on Ageing Well
Joanne expresses joy in finding an activity that suits her needs as she ages. Paddleboarding has made her feel stronger, walk taller, and experience calmness on the water now that confidence has grown. She emphasizes that she does not feel old, despite her grandsons' teasing, and views this sport as a fun, effective way to maintain health and wellbeing. Her story serves as an inspiration for others seeking to stay active and resilient in later life through engaging and enjoyable pursuits.
