71-year-old Cyril Baldock is a swim star and inspiration to all
<p><em><strong>Swim star Cyril Baldock is an inspiration to all.. Not only is Cyril the oldest man to swim the English Channel and not only has he been saving lives at the beach for nearly 60 years, he’s also 71-years-old and living each day to the maximum.Here’s what the champ had to say to Over60 about keeping an active lifestyle after 60.</strong></em></p>
<p>I decided to start swimming at the age of 12 to cure asthma and haven’t stopped going for a dip since. In 2014 I completed the swim between England and France in 12 hours and 45 minutes, breaking the previous record, by about five hours, for the oldest person to finish the race in the 70-plus age group. Believe it or not, that was my second Channel swim. I promised myself after the first one I’d never do it again, but the temptation to break a new record got the better of me and look where I ended up. My first swim was back in 1985 where I became the fifth Australian to complete the race and doing it all over again was a bigger and better challenge than I could have imagined.</p>
<p>Keeping an active lifestyle is simple for me, it’s not about strict diets and crazy rules, it’s just about making a plan for yourself and constantly sticking to it. Staying active and doing something every day, having a reasonably healthy lifestyle, there’s no reason not to have a drink or two, don’t have to overdo it but just keep it reasonably active and healthy. I take life day by day and amongst my friends I’m the fittest, without a doubt. </p>
<p>I swim a lot of the ocean swims on weekends, it’s a great way to get involved with the community, raise money for charity and of course stay fit, active and healthy. I find swimming to be more than just a hobby because there’s a great support network; everyone looks after you, knows who you are and always checks what you’re up to. Another great thing is that people look up to me, I’m an inspiration for all the youngers out there that struggle with their races. They know if I can do it, they’ve got a chance too.</p>
<p>We all have our weak moments; mine was during the recent channel race, at one stage after about 10 hours into the swim. I thought “am I getting anywhere?” the swim looked as if I was getting further away to the finish line when I was actually getting closer. Despite despair, I pushed through and once I crossed that finish line I was ecstatic to become the oldest person to do so. The man who won it before me was a bit younger and I managed to complete the race five hours faster than him; but it doesn’t matter about time, it only matters about the oldest age to finish it.</p>
<p>The first step to trying something new like getting active and fit is by making the commitment, set the date, book in whatever you need to and set in a definite plan. If it’s something big, get a mentor or coach to guide you through it and stick to your plan. Back in the days, Des Renford, who was known as “King of the Channel”, was my mentor and although I’m not personally mentoring anyone in particular, I know that I’m an inspiration to kids and they look up to me, which is truly beautiful. </p>
<p>Swimming is certainly one of the best exercises for older people like us. You don’t have as much body or weight contact like running and even weights and things like that can become a bit harder. Yoga or pilates are great depending on what shape you’re in and where you start, but if you’re starting from scratch always get a medical check-up and doctor’s advice so you know how hard you can go on yourself. I prefer stretching and abs because I’m not flexible so no Pilates for me!</p>
<p>Don’t feel overwhelmed; don’t think it’s too late to try something new. Over the years when I was working full time and even now when I work where I can; you have to learn how to plan things, take it day by day, week by week, month by month and you deal with problems as they arise, injuries or anything that stops you.</p>
<p>For example, can you believe this? Today, after six weeks trying to get bloody wifi attached to my unit I successfully got it done BUT it has been an absolute nightmare! The amount of time, effort and juggling around meeting people to get the job done but it finally happened and that’s thanks to good planning. So plan well and don’t give up hope especially if it’s something new that you want to try.</p>
<p>My daily routine is basic but I plan it well for me. Anytime between 5am and 7am I go for a swim, I like to start in the morning and I’ll be there normally rain hail or shine, of course you get the odd day where you need a break sometimes. If you set a plan, stick to it! That’s how I get things done. I prefer to get it over and done with in the morning, if I do it earlier, I can do what I like in the afternoon, If I don’t get time to do it in the arvos, I can’t go back and do it in the morning so my tip is to get it over and done with first.</p>
<p>Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club is a very community minded organisation, getting my bronze medallion when I first joined nearly 60 years ago was one of the best things I’ve done. Everyone here is supportive and caring about anything you’re doing. Standing here in this room, looking at all the champions’ photographs, the awards and the trophies; all the way from back when the club was formed 108 years ago. My titles can be seen from my win in 1960 all the way to 2014 on this very wall and what an absolute honour that is to see over the years.</p>
<p>For people who want to get fit at any age, want to try something new or even just want to challenge themselves – this is my advice to you: Work out where you are, it’s the same as anything in life, you can’t decide what you want to do or where you want to go unless you’ve worked out where you are, and that might need doctor’s advice; then decide what you want to do and commit definitely to it, set a plan and stick to it. That doesn’t matter what age you are, or how unfit you are, obviously the older you are it may mean you need to go a bit slower, but there’s no reason why you can’t move forward.</p>
<p>As for my diet, well it’s pretty basic, no superfoods, no protein shakes; my only rules are that if it tastes good it’s no good for you. And remember, a couple of beers and a few laughs don’t hurt anyone.</p>
<p><strong> Related links:</strong></p>
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<p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/02/how-to-beat-post-retirement-depression/">How to beat the retirement blues</a></strong></span></em></p>
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<p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/02/how-to-make-retirement-happy-and-healthy/">4 tips to ensure a happy and health retirement</a></strong></span></em></p>
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<p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/02/four-ways-to-stay-active/">From walking groups to tai chi, top 4 ways to stay active</a></strong></span></em></p>
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