IronMaori inspires 71-year-old to learn to swim

Wanting to become part of the "phenomenal rage that IronMaori had created" Rotorua's Toia Lucas-Walden has proved it's never too late to learn to swim.

Swim coach Henk Greupink was impressed by the 71-year-old's attitude.

"Age should not be a boundary to start learning to swim," he said.

During the past five years eight people over the age of 65 have drowned in the Bay of Plenty.

In recent weeks Mr Greupink has had four new elderly students wanting to follow in Mrs Lucas-Walden's footsteps.

"For them, the hardest part is making that first step."

Mrs Lucas-Walden had never been keen to put her head in the water before taking up the challenge of learning to swim last year.

"I approached Henk the swimming coach. He gave me goggles, flippers and a few tips to start me swimming," she said.

"For five mornings a week I taught myself to swim, to survive."

Within the year Mrs Lucas-Walden had completed a 1km, 1.5km and 2km swim as part of IronMaori events.

"So why did I do it? To become fit," she said.

In her role as WERO regional co-ordinator for Korowai Aroha Mrs Lucas-Walden understands the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

"Swimming puts no stress on the body and as one progresses into the third age, what can be more satisfying?"

Learning to swim has given Mrs Lucas-Walden "fitness, weight loss and a great feeling of achievement".