Story by Rhylea Thompson

The words “I can’t” are not part of retiree Sal Gardner’s vocabulary. The 84-year-old has competed in more than 500 rowing races – a goal she set and achieved before her 80th birthday – and collected countless medals over the years.

Despite her age, the Seasons resident is still an active runner, swimmer and kayaker, and she structures her days around her fitness routine.

Young at heart and full of drive, Sal spends at least 30 minutes a day on the rowing machine, swims more than 3km a week and regularly participates in yoga and Pilates classes.

WELLNESS WARRIOR: Fitness queen Sal refuses to slow down and turned her retirement into her golden years. Picture: Rhylea Thompson

“I’ve always been pretty fit and I need to do something active every day – I get all bitsy if I can’t,” she said.

Sal joined her local swimming club as a child and later moved to the Masters Swimming Club before shifting her attention to gymnastics in the 90s.

By 16, she had discovered her greatest passion – kayaking and canoeing, after joining the Indooroopilly Canoe Club alongside her siblings. She remains a life member of the club today.

In 1962, Sal and her husband founded the Queensland Amateur Canoe Federation, where she served as Secretary for two decades.

LIFE ON THE WATER: Age is just a number for Seasons resident Sal, who has spent most of her life kayaking. The inspiring senior believes age is just a number. Picture: Contributed

Over the years, she has competed in countless sprint and marathon events and estimates she has won at least 200 medals, though what she treasures most are the experiences she’s gained along the way.

Sal has paddled around the Brisbane River, Wivenhoe Dam and the Moreton, Fraser, Keppel, Thursday, Cape York, Whitsundays, Port Douglas and Cooktown Islands.

Among her most cherished memories is her trip to Greece, where she spent her days sea kayaking around the Ionian Islands, stopping for cheese and biscuits at supper and camping overnight.

She has also kayaked the Whanganui River in New Zealand and taken part in some of the largest tournaments, paddling 1000km at a time.

PADDLE PALS: Sal and friends stop for a bite to eat after a busy morning out on the water. Picture: Contributed

“I love getting out on the water – it’s my happy place,” she said.

“The sense of achievement you get after completing a race is incredible.

“You have moments where you go, ‘Why am I doing this?’ but you can’t just get out when you’re in the middle of an ocean, so you have no choice but to dig deep and get to the end.”

But it hasn’t always been smooth sailing, with Sal facing rough conditions and unexpected encounters on the water.

TRAIL BLAZER: Setting herself the goal of competing in 500 races by the time she turned 80, Sal not only achieved this, but exceeded the target by nine. The active retiree estimates she has won more than 200 medals for kayaking. Picture: Contributed

“Two of us girls were out in a sea kayak once with a crocodile swishing around us,” she said.

“This was before phones existed, so no one was around to save you.

“Another time I was paddling along the Brisbane River and found a person, which I had to report to the police… it’s never stopped me from getting back out on the water though.”

FIT AND FEARLESS: Over the years, Sal has kayaked in international waters and around the state, where she came face to face with a crocodile – but not even that experience stopped her from picking up her paddle again. Picture: Contributed

While Sal no longer owns her own kayaks or canoes, she still takes part in Brisbane City Council’s GOLD (Getting Old and Living Dangerously) canoeing program.

Beyond water sports, she has also completed numerous marathons and triathlons, including a seven-day charity bike ride from Cairns to the Gulf and even a race without clothing.

“It was a 1km nude sprint, so of course I had to do it,” she said.

“I looked a lot better in those days because I was only about 60.”

INSPIRING: Refusing to let her age prevent her from living life to the fullest, Sal said her fitness regime kept her feeling young at heart. Picture: Rhylea Thompson

Sporting talents evidently run in the family, with her son becoming an international paddler and daughter excelling as a left-handed fencer, while her sister was an Olympic canoeist.

Despite stereotypes around ageing, Sal refuses to slow down, believes age is nothing more than a number and recommends other seniors to adopt the same ideology.

“It obviously depends on your health circumstances, but a lot of it comes down to mindset,” she said.

“Start slow and do what makes you feel good, whether it’s chair yoga or small walks – but never let anyone tell you you’re too old to do something.”

Seasons Living is committed to providing an engaging Lifestyle Program for seniors to stay active and thrive in their retirement. Find out more about the program here.