Silver surfers

Silver surfers

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When work is up, surf is up in Brazil. A group of pensioners take to the waves in keep-fit, keep-young surfing lessons that aim to show age is just a number.

. Santos, BRAZIL. Reuters/Nacho Doce

Edmea Pereira and Francisco de Aguiar, a retired husband and wife in their 70s, take classes three times a week, for free, at the Cisco Arana surf school in the city of Santos in the state of Sao Paolo.

. Santos, BRAZIL. Reuters/Nacho Doce

“All our aches and pains stay at the bottom of the sea, we no longer feel pain, and our self-esteem is elevated too,” said Pereira. “When I get out of the sea I feel 10 years younger.”

. Santos, BRAZIL. Reuters/Nacho Doce
A surfer puts paraffin wax on a surfboard to avoid slipping.

The classes started as a way to relieve another kind of pain for the couple. Their son went blind at 24 and they sought out Cisco Arana for specialist teaching. Seeing their son’s sense of freedom on the board, they decided to give it a go themselves - and soon they were hooked.

. Santos, BRAZIL. Reuters/Nacho Doce

“Ever since the first time, you take the board and you feel a sense of wellbeing,” said Aguiar.

. Santos, BRAZIL. Reuters/Nacho Doce

Arana’s oldest student took to the waves at 80 years young. It’s not the students’ age that ever surprises him but the impact surfing can have on their mood and wellbeing, he said.

Learning has been in both directions, said Arana, who founded the school 25 years ago with the aim of promoting social inclusion by encouraging people to try new activities. The silver surfers’ inexhaustible patience impresses him above all, he said.

(Editing by Brian McGee)

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Slideshow

Claudines Garcia, 64, puts paraffin wax on a surfboard to avoid slipping as Wagner Barbosa, 67, stands by before their surf class.
. Santos, BRAZIL. Reuters/Nacho Doce

Claudines Garcia, 64, puts paraffin wax on a surfboard to avoid slipping as Wagner Barbosa, 67, stands by before their surf class.

Maria Ines (left), 69, Regina Palomares (2nd left), 68, Edmea Pereira, 69, and her husband Francisco Aguiar , 71, walk towards the sea.
. Santos, BRAZIL. Reuters/Nacho Doce

Maria Ines (left), 69, Regina Palomares (2nd left), 68, Edmea Pereira, 69, and her husband Francisco Aguiar , 71, walk towards the sea.

Teacher Denise, 55, gives a surfing lesson to Maria Ines (centre), 69, and Regina Palomares.
. Santos, BRAZIL. Reuters/Nacho Doce

Teacher Denise, 55, gives a surfing lesson to Maria Ines (centre), 69, and Regina Palomares.

Elderly people take part in their surf class.
. Santos, BRAZIL. Reuters/Nacho Doce

Elderly people take part in their surf class.

Denise gives a surfing lesson to Ines and Palomares.
. Santos, BRAZIL. Reuters/Nacho Doce

Denise gives a surfing lesson to Ines and Palomares.

Palomares puts on flippers.
. Santos, BRAZIL. Reuters/Nacho Doce

Palomares puts on flippers.

Elsa Rodrigues, 61, surfs.
. Santos, BRAZIL. Reuters/Nacho Doce

Elsa Rodrigues, 61, surfs.

Denise gives a surfing lesson to Claudines Garcia, 64, during their morning class.
. Santos, BRAZIL. Reuters/Nacho Doce

Denise gives a surfing lesson to Claudines Garcia, 64, during their morning class.

Francisco Aguiar, 71, surfs.
. Santos, BRAZIL. Reuters/Nacho Doce

Francisco Aguiar, 71, surfs.

Edmea Pereira (right), 69, and Simplicio Zaninete, 65, surf.
. Santos, BRAZIL. Reuters/Nacho Doce

Edmea Pereira (right), 69, and Simplicio Zaninete, 65, surf.

Simplicio Zaninete, 65, washes his face as Elsa Rodrigues (right), 61, and Sueli Garcia, 60, talk after their class.
. Santos, BRAZIL. Reuters/Nacho Doce

Simplicio Zaninete, 65, washes his face as Elsa Rodrigues (right), 61, and Sueli Garcia, 60, talk after their class.

(Right to left) Sueli garcia, 60, Elsa Rodrigues, 61, Osmidio Conde, 71,  Simplicio Zaninete, 65, Edmea Pereira, 69, and her husband Francisco Aguiar, 71, pose for a photograph.
. Santos, BRAZIL. Reuters/Nacho Doce

(Right to left) Sueli garcia, 60, Elsa Rodrigues, 61, Osmidio Conde, 71, Simplicio Zaninete, 65, Edmea Pereira, 69, and her husband Francisco Aguiar, 71, pose for a photograph.