Senior Rowers, Some Overcoming Initial Mobility Challenges, Prepare for National Indoor Championships

BBC sports reporter Chris Slegg inquired, “Are you going to win?”, to which 77-year-old Joan Morris from Romford responded, “Of course”. Following a rowing practice session, members of the Cool Rowings group, comprising east Londoners over 60, were observed drinking tea, conversing, and listening to music. This gathering forms part of their preparations for the upcoming annual British Rowing Indoor Championships, scheduled for this weekend in Birmingham. Weininger Irwin, the group leader and winner of the inaugural series of the TV program Gladiators in 1992, established a seniors’ group called Ageless Teenagers with the aim of assisting local residents in maintaining fitness. Participants engage in training sessions across Romford, Dagenham, and Ilford. Among them is 86-year-old Hazel Parkins, who resides in Goodmayes, Ilford. Known affectionately as “Miss Hazel,” she is one of the oldest members and is referred to as the “poster girl” by Weininger. Weininger commenced by stating, “Let me tell you something about Miss Hazel,” continuing, “She comes here with her walking stick and her trolley, she parks her trolley, she puts her walking stick on the side, jumps on the rowing machine and she’s off – you can’t stop her!” While Hazel prepares for the competition, she asserts that “age is just a number, there’s nothing you can’t do”. She further stated, “I feel very refreshed when I come here. It gives me something to look forward to, we are like family here.” Weininger informed BBC London that “Her zest for life is infectious.” Weininger remarked, “They are inspiring their children and grandchildren,” adding, “They are mini Gladiators.” Weininger Irwin, whom members describe as a “gift from God,” “outgoing,” and “magic,” initiated Ageless Teenagers and Cool Rowings in Romford with the goal of promoting physical activity. He commented, “They could never ever imagine that they were going to take part in a national rowing competition.” He also noted, “When these guys go to Birmingham, they’re bringing their grandchildren with them. Imagine that child saying, ‘That’s my grandmother rowing’. It’s crazy.” He conveyed to BBC London a sentiment he expressed after his Gladiators victory: “No matter what you do in life, always have a positive attitude, it will get you through. “Thirty-two years later, I’m still doing the same thing.” Joan Morris, 77, from Romford, stated that Cool Rowings commenced with “four of us and now it’s grown into 400.” She informed BBC London, “There are some people here who are now able to get on to the machine who could barely walk when they came in.” Joan also remarked that they “don’t age,” further explaining, “It’s what goes on in your head a lot of the time that drives you.” She explained that rowing “loosens your body” and “is not demanding because you do it at your own pace.” Joan, who recently secured a victory in an indoor rowing competition in Ilford, further declared, “I will be collecting my medal for that race, and in Birmingham.” Colin Brien, 77, a resident of Dagenham, described the upcoming championships as “a bit daunting, but I reckon I’ll do alright.” He humorously noted, “Apparently our age group is a minority.” Colin also shared, “It was just a bit of fun at first, and then I thought, ‘I don’t mind this’,” concluding, “Each week I’ve done better, now I want to beat the person next to me.” The rowing competition is integrated into FitFest, the United Kingdom’s largest fitness festival, which will host over 2,000 rowers and fitness enthusiasts competing across various disciplines and age categories at the NEC.