Mavis Surridge

If you have ever used the excuse that you are getting too old for the gym, take a moment to consider Mavis Surridge, British and World Champion indoor rower at 77 years old.

Mavis has been active throughout her life, but took up indoor rowing only 7 years ago at her local gym. Now a member of Fitness First in Reading, Mavis trains with Kinetic Health and Fitness's George Anderson rowing 5 days a week with one weights session to aid her overall conditioning.

Since taking up the sport, Mavis has won an impressive 3 World Championships and 4 British Indoor (BIRC) titles. In December last year she travelled to Amsterdam where she picked up a silver medal at the European championships.

Races are age categorised, but every competitor rows the same 2000m. Mavis's current world and British record time of 9:13.1 set in 2005 would challenge most gym goers a quarter of her age.

For Mavis, training is a part of her life and age doesn't really come into the equation. She is a true champion, who puts everything into her preparation for the big events and is as dissapointed as any top class athlete when things don't go to plan.

Mavis is frequently in the media, either in local newspapers or on BBC Radio Berkshire, as her positive attitude and winners spirit is an inspiration to everyone who knows her.