It’s never too late to learn something new or indeed to fulfil a lifelong ambition.

That exactly what Sylvia Gerard of Torquay discovered after fulfilling her dream to learn to swim ... .at the ripe old age of 75!.

In fact, Sylvia enjoyed one of her best birthday presents ever when she managed to complete 10 metres at Torquay’s Riviera International Centre’s pool on her 75th birthday.

As a school girl during the Second World War, swimming lessons were unheard of and the beaches were most off-limits. As time went by, Sylvia admits she secretly admired all her friends who could swim but, being too scared of the water, she did nothing about it.

After getting married and having two children, Sylvia was determined that as soon as they were old enough they would learn to swim. The years rolled by during which time Sylvia had three total hip replacements (one was a revision with bone grafting) and two foot operations, and she came to accept that she would never take to the water…

But then along with her husband she joined the Riviera International Centre’s Lifestyle Health & Fitness Suite ... and found new hope that she may well fulfil her ambition after all.

“It did us both a power of good both mentally and physically,” explained Sylvia. “After a while I plucked up enough courage to phone Jacquie Lovett the swimming co-ordinator and instructor to ask if she thought I was too old to learn…and she had me in the water in no time. Her friendly manner encouraged me there and then to have a go.”

Now, the sprightly 75 year old enjoys regular visits the Riviera International Centre pool as often as she can as she simply loves to swim.

“I have to thank Jacquie so much for her patience and understanding, especially as I was so nervous. And my message to anyone who feels they have left it too late is to give it a try because it’s worth it and lots of fun.”

Sylvia, right, is pictured at the Lifestyle pool with swimming instructor Jacquie Lovett.